New data shows that roughly two-thirds of people with gambling damage had some kind of early exposure to gambling. This revolutionary study by YouGov for GambleAware found that those who were exposed to gambling at a young age (either via their own families or through exposure to advertising on television) were more likely to experience gambling-related damage as adults.
Surprisingly, 64 percent of those who had suffered major injury admitted that they knew someone who gambled often before they became 18 years old. On the other hand, just 25 percent of non-gamblers reported having a comparable experience when they were younger.
22 percent of people admitted gambling before they turned eighteen, with sixteen percent commencing between the ages of twelve and seventeen. According to GambleAware, this first exposure to gambling might be a “turning point” for many people, causing them to engage in risky gambling behaviors. Whether it’s a genetic predisposition or a passion, gambling may quickly become an unhealthy obsession.
GambleAware is worried that gambling is becoming too commonplace in modern culture. This year’s study highlights the possible link between childhood gambling and long-term negative consequences. Considering parents’ difficulty in protecting their children from these tactics, the organization stresses the need to act.
A Far-Reaching Problem
The devastating impacts that gambling may have on other people are also explored in the research. Approximately 7% of individuals consider themselves to have “affected others,” which indicates that they have been badly influenced by the gambling activities of someone else. Shockingly, almost 1.6 million youngsters under the age of 18 live with parents who are facing serious problems due to gaming.
Four in ten people who were seriously harmed by gambling also often felt shame or humiliation about their habit. The removal of this barrier is essential in providing help and guidance to individuals who need it.
GambleAware’s chief executive officer Zoe Osmond is certain that the industry has to shed its negative image. This discrimination is a major obstacle to people getting the assistance they need. Eliminating the stigma around gambling and encouraging open dialogue about the topic are essential steps in ending people’s suffering and bringing them the help they need.
The relevance of this year’s findings has been emphasized by Kate Gosschalk, who is the research manager at YouGov. The research looks into new areas, such as the effects of gambling on children and people’s initial exposure to gambling, using a thorough survey comprising 18,000 participants and in-depth telephone interviews. The results will aid in elucidating the scope of gambling-related damage in the United Kingdom and informing the design of appropriate interventions.
It is crucial to address these problems, protect vulnerable people, and cultivate a community where everyone can seek treatment without fear of stigma or repercussions, especially as more attention is paid to the connection between early exposure and gambling hazards.
