What is gambling harm?

Gambling harm describes any negative consequence or side effect that comes from gambling.

The most obvious type of gambling harm is financial, but there are many others.

Gambling harm can range from mild harms like feelings of regret through to more severe harms such as relationship conflict or reduced work or study performance.

Gambling harm describes the broader negative effects associated with gambling.

Problem gambling refers to the behaviour of gambling itself, where a person experiences difficulties controlling their gambling despite the negative effects.

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is the standardised measure of at-risk gambling behaviour and is used by a healthcare professional to make a clinical diagnosis.

Gambling can reduce your overall wellbeing.

It can affect the person who gambles, as well as the people around them, including family, friends and work colleagues.

To ‘gamble responsibly’ is to gamble without experiencing any negative consequences (harm).

The gambling industry has an obligation in the way that it promotes and delivers gambling products to prevent and/or minimise the risk that they will cause harm.

However, industry’s continuous use of ‘gamble responsibly’ suggests it is looking out for consumers while implying that an individual who experiences harm is to blame.

For someone looking to ‘gamble responsibly’, the Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines offer evidence-based advice.