What's the problem with problem gambling? /

According to recent estimates, there are over 300,000 people in Ontario who are experiencing moderate to severe gambling problems.1 While problem gambling can have serious negative consequences for the individual with the gambling problem, it can also have profound negative impacts on family members, friends, the community, gaming providers and government—thus greatly increasing the population aff [...] They can, and often do, lead to the loss of homes, the decimation of personal and retirement savings, the loss of funds for post-secondary education, family breakdown, job loss, and much more. [...] In New South Wales, gambling has been found to be the fifth most common cause for consumer bankruptcy and fourth most common cause of business failure.18 In Canada, statistics by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy reveal that gambling was among the top 10 reasons why people filed for bankruptcy in 2011. [...] If a person goes bankrupt due to problem gambling, the bankruptcy period is generally extended for an additional year, so reducing problem gambling would benefit everyone."22 Costs to Family Members and Others While problem gambling can have serious negative consequences “A family member has a severe gambling problem, for the individual, it can also greatly impact family members and borrowing and [...] They are also more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and drugs; be neglected and abused; and have psychosocial problems, educational challenges, and emotional disorders.25 Costs to Society Problem gambling impacts individuals and their family members first and foremost.