WHAT IS GAMBLING?
Gambling (also known as betting) is the wagering of money or something of value (referred to as
"the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the primary intent of winning money or
material goods. Gambling thus requires three elements to be present: consideration (an amount
wagered), risk (chance), and a prize.
HISTORY OF GAMBLING
Gambling dates back to the Paleolithic period, before written history. In Mesopotamia the earliest
six-sided dice date to about 3000 BC. However, they were based on astragali dating back thousands
of years earlier.
INTRODUCTION
GAMBLING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Gambling is very big in the Philippines. "Gambling is not a sin," a government official said. "Even
priests and nuns come to the casinos asking for jobs for their parishioners." Gambling in the
Philippines is generally restricted by government laws. Illegal forms of gambling include jueteng,
masiao and last two. There are no laws prohibiting online gambling in particular, therefore legal. The
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is a government-run agency that controls legal
gambling and runs casinos and other gambling ventures. Charity sweepstakes and lotteries are also
managed by the government through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Back in 1999,
findings of the Social Weather Stations survey also showed that Filipinos’ moral attitudes against
gambling hardly influence their gambling behavior. There were as many people (63 percent) who
said gambling was bad even for small bets and when done only for a short time as those (64
percent) who admitted engaging in a gambling activity in the past 12 months. Many would however
justify gambling as just a form of recreation, a “harmless” pastime, as if the amounts they’ve already
lost to wagering haven’t already cost them a fortune.
Pakita yung pic na nasa baba
Many gamblers lose because they never give themselves an opportunity to win; even when
they have won a significant amount they will continue to bet until they lose it all again.
The Bwin data clearly show that. The lightest gamblers—the 10% of customers who placed the
fewest wagers over the two years—also had the highest winning percentage. About 17% of
them ended up in the black—tough odds but still better than the dismal 5.4% winning
percentage of the heaviest gamblers.
In a game of tossing two dice, for example, the total number of possible outcomes is 36
(each of six sides of one die combined with each of six sides of the other), and the
number of ways to make, say, a seven is six (made by throwing 1 and 6, 2 and 5, 3 and 4,
4 and 3, 5 and 2, or 6 and 1); therefore, the probability of throwing a seven is / , or / .
6
36
1
6
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GAMBLING
CRIME
Problem gambling rates range from 0.4% to 7.5% in the general population (3). About
one half of the individuals experiencing problem gambling commit a crime (4). U.S.
studies estimate that justice system costs, in form of arrests and corrections, range from
$2,200 to $3000 per individual with problem gambling (5, 6).
Gambling is often perceived as a leisure activity. For some people, however, it has serious
negative consequences, notably criminal behaviour. The more severe a gambling problem is, the
more likely it is to lead to crime (1, 2). Problem gambling rates range from 0.4% to 7.5% in the
general population (3). About one half of the individuals experiencing problem gambling commit
a crime (4).
POVERTY
Several studies from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have reported a
relationship between problem gambling and poverty [7-13]. Problem gambling can be defined
as difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on the activity, which leads to problems for
the gambler and others [14]. Some research studies focus on specific population who are more
vulnerable to gambling problems with a focus on measures such as low income, homelessness,
and neighborhood disadvantage. These populations include historically oppressed groups (i.e.,
Indigenous groups) [15, 16] and those with complex needs (i.e., those experiencing mental
illness and substance use problems) [9, 17, 18]. Studies indicate that the following populations
are at higher risk of experiencing problem gambling:
Indigenous
Experiencing Complex Needs (i.e., experiencing substance abuse problems and mental illness)
Older adults
Males
Unemployed/Low Income
African American
Young Adults Living in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods
Experiencing Homelessness
Veterans
Homelessness serves as a measure for poverty in the majority of the studies. The prevalence
rates of problem gambling in the homeless population is significantly higher at roughly 9 times
the rate in the general
IN THE FAMILY
While the addicted person will definitely suffer during a gambling addiction, that
person’s family will also face challenges. The stress that the problem gambler
experiences may cause irritable behavior, secrecy, and arguments. Calls from
creditors and bill collectors erode relationships. Financial strains impact all family
members, and strained relationships make the experience difficult for even
extended family members, friends, and colleagues.
IN THE COMMUNITY
tudies have shown that more than $6 billion has been lost each year to gambling
addictions. This problem is far-reaching and can cause both individuals and companies to
panic and act in ways they would not normally act.1
Gambling addictions also place a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance
programs, and legal systems. There are many consequences of gambling addictions that
result in community economic costs.
WHAT CAUSES ADDICTION TO GAMBLING?
Many factors can contribute to a gambling addiction, including
desperation for money, the desire to experience thrills and highs,
the social status associated with being a successful gambler, and
the entertaining atmosphere of the mainstream gambling scene.
Unfortunately, once a gambling addiction takes hold, breaking
the cycle is difficult. Severe addictions can take hold when
someone feels desperate financially and wants to make back
what they have lost. Once the person finally wins, while they may
end up collecting a massive amount of money from that win, it is
rarely enough to cover what has already been lost. Most gamblers
never even come close to breaking even.
What Are the Signs of a Gambling
Problem?
The signs of a gambling problem are often the same as the signs of
other addictions. Common signs of addiction include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Feeling the need to be secretive about gambling
Having trouble controlling gambling habits
Gambling when you cannot afford to
Your friends and family express concern about your gambling
Of course, as with any other addiction, the hallmark sign of a gambling
problem is that you feel you cannot stop. If you feel like you need to try
just one more time, or if you feel anxious when you think about
quitting, it is highly likely you are suffering from a gambling addiction.
If you think you or your loved one may be suffering from a gambling
addiction, call to talk about the signs of a gambling addiction and your
individual situation.
WAYS TO STOP GAMBLING
1. Understand the Problem
You can’t fix something that you don’t understand. To eliminate gambling from your life,
you must learn about the issue and admit you have a gambling problem.
2. Join a Support Group
Now that you have recognized the problem, you can seek assistance from a
support group. Support groups are organizations maintained by people with
similar experiences and pasts. Though support groups lack professional
interventions, they are free to try out in person or in
3. Avoid Temptation
Gambling is a temptation, but seeing gambling as an addiction is a significant step
because it permits you to use skills from addiction recovery and relapse prevention. For
someone in recovery, avoiding people, places and activities linked to gambling can help
them avoid a setback. By avoiding these triggers, you can avoid the thoughts and
feelings that encourage gambling.
online chat rooms.
4. Postpone Gambling
With addictions, there are cravings. Cravings are strong urges to complete the desired
behavior. As a gambler, you could have cravings to call your bookie, go to the casino,
cash your paycheck or other behaviors linked to gambling.
5. Find Alternatives to Gambling
Avoiding triggers and distracting during cravings are great ways to deal with gambling,
but to improve your state, you’ll need to find healthy alternatives to gambling. By
replacing gambling behaviors with positive ones, you shift the focus away from the bad
and towards the good.
6. Think About the Consequences
Shame and guilt are strong feelings for anyone in recovery from addiction. Shame and
guilt can be dangerous because too much of them can encourage people to relapse, but
some levels of shame and guilt can motivate you to stay in recovery.
7. Seek Professional Help
If your gambling is severe, consider seeking professional help as soon as possible.
Professional treatment from a mental health or addiction specialist could be the
difference between a life of financial uncertainty versus living in financial stability.