Gambling and the Nexus of Practice
Gambling is a form of risk-taking that involves betting on something that is uncertain, such as the outcome of a game or an event. It can occur in many different forms, including the lottery, casinos, card games, and online gambling. People who engage in gambling can become addicted, and addiction to gambling has been associated with negative health outcomes. It is important for clinicians to understand the risks and benefits of gambling, and to recognize when a patient may have an addiction.
The risk of gambling-related harms is a significant public health concern, and the need to evaluate patients for problem gambling has been growing in primary care settings. However, a substantial amount of the available literature has focused on psychological models of pathological gambling and the role of addiction, with only a small body of work considering the wider social, economic, and regulatory environment that shapes gambling behaviours.
Despite the wealth of research that has been conducted into pathological gambling, there is still a lack of comprehensive harm reduction strategies to mitigate its impact. It is therefore crucial that research is undertaken that considers all aspects of the practice of gambling – including the way that it intersects with other practices, the way that it relates to other forms of entertainment and recreation, and how it is shaped by social trends and contexts.
This will require a shift towards a nexus of practice perspective, which acknowledges that the availability, shape, and form of gambling is shaped by multiple forces beyond individuals and can change over time. Such an approach would allow us to better understand how neoliberal ideology, globalisation and marketisation, and cultural and social understandings of wealth and success can suffuse practices of gambling. It could also be used to examine how these elements interact with each other over space, jurisdiction and materiality.
If you have a gambling problem, there are things you can do to reduce your risks and get help. You can start by talking to someone you trust who won’t judge you – this could be a family member, friend or a professional counsellor. You can also try to limit your access to money by removing your credit cards, closing online betting accounts or keeping only a certain amount of cash on you at all times. Another good idea is to avoid gambling venues and find other ways to socialise. You can also strengthen your support network by making new friends, joining a book club or sports team, or getting involved in volunteering for a cause you are passionate about. You can also join a peer-support group like Gamblers Anonymous, which follows a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. This can be a helpful way to get encouragement and advice from others who have successfully stopped gambling. It’s also a good idea not to chase your losses, as this can lead you to spend even more money in an attempt to recoup lost funds.