While it is tempting to play games as a means to soothe unpleasant emotions, gambling is also an addictive habit. It can be a means to relieve boredom, socialize, or self-soothe unpleasant emotions. In order to cope with boredom, however, you should consider other ways to relieve it. Other options include exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, and spending time with non-gambling friends. However, it may be difficult to admit that you are suffering from a gambling problem and need help.
While gambling is based on chance, some forms of online games may look like skill games and fun apps. Because some games are designed to mimic the appearance of real-life situations, some young players may be under the mistaken impression that they are using their skill and thereby leading to false expectations about winning. However, children in upper primary school are generally ready to understand the basics of gambling and its low long-term winnings. Ultimately, they may be able to make better decisions when they are informed of the risks and benefits involved.
The positive effects of gambling on society have been recognized by economic costing studies, but there have been very few studies of the positive effects of gambling on gamblers. Using health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) weights, which measure the impact of a given health state on a person’s quality of life, may be one way to assess the social costs associated with gambling. If these studies are accurate, they will uncover societal costs associated with gambling.
