Gambling involves risking something of value (money, possessions or reputation) on an event whose outcome depends on chance and where instances of strategy are discounted. It is a form of play that can be undertaken in many places including casinos, on the internet and at sporting events. It can cause significant harm to the person who gambles, their family and friends and the broader community.

Gamble responsibly – it is not worth the cost

It has been reported that over half of adults engage in gambling and for some, this can cause serious harm to their health, relationships and work or study performance. It can also leave them in severe debt and possibly homeless. It is not uncommon for this to impact on the lives of their families and friends too, with children being especially affected. In addition, it has been estimated that more than 400 suicides each year are associated with gambling. This is a major public health issue, particularly with the growing availability and accessibility of gambling on the internet. It is also a significant problem in communities with strong religious beliefs, CALD groups and indigenous populations where gambling is more prevalent. Developing effective treatments to address this is critical. The conceptual framework developed by this research provides a useful starting point. It is important to emphasise that the framework defines harm as an outcome rather than a symptom or behaviour, and distinguishes it from issues of clinical diagnosis and risk factors.