Towards Global Gambling

Abstract

This chapter documents the proliferation of gambling opportunities across many jurisdictions of the world. It illustrates that whilst these changes are by no means uniform or universal, in Europe, North America, Australasia and parts of Asia, the liberalisation of gambling laws and policy has led to the widespread availability of a panoply of different gambling products and services. Pertinently, low potency non-continuous forms of gambling have been superseded by high potency continuous forms of gambling – such as electronic gaming machines, casino games and scratch cards – leading to an escalation in consumption. In such jurisdictions, gambling is highly prevalent, profitable and potent, as evinced by continued growth in citizen’s expenditure, industry profits and state taxation revenues. Yet as opportunities for gambling have multiplied, concerns regarding the public health impacts associated with this activity have increased. The chapter notes how the widespread availability of gambling is associated with a multitude of serious harms for individuals, families and society including underage gambling, increased rates of problem and pathological gambling, unemployment, debt, deterioration in personal health and self-esteem, familial dysfunction, family breakdown, and crime and victimisation. The chapter also details the academic rationale and structure of the book.