The Harmful effects of illegal gambling: A public health issue

Session Title

Session 2-1-B: Harm and Health

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

29-5-2019 9:00 AM

End Date

29-5-2019 10:25 AM

Disciplines

Other Public Health | Social Work

Abstract

Some of the games available for gambling in Switzerland do not have the required licenses. Such illegal products are offered through the internet or in illegal gambling dens, such as bars and clubs. The evidence available, to date, concerns mostly criminology or counter effects on the economy. The gambling-related problems that impact individuals involved in illegally organized gambling have been little-researched. Therefore, a review has been conducted in order to provide an overview of the issue. Drawing on the available literature, as well as secondary data on the harmful consequences of illegal gambling, problem-oriented interviews were conducted with people who have previously been or are still involved in illegal gambling. In addition, interviews with members of the regulation board were carried out and addiction counsellors completed written questionnaires. The results suggest that Switzerland has an easily accessible illegal gambling market. The reasons for participation are diverse. The people involved draw attention to the lack of game protection measures, the granting of loans and personal entanglement for both players and providers. The results imply that the extent of illegal gambling and specific problems resulting from participating in games are an important public health issue and should be analyzed as part of existing epidemiological surveys.

Keywords

Illegal ambling, prevention, gambling related harm, public health

Author Bios

Suzanne Lischer has worked as a lecturer and project manager at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Social Work (HSLU) since 2008. She has been the Head of the Competence Centre for Prevention and Health, Lucerne, Switzerland, since 2017. Her main teaching and research interests are harm-reduction in gambling, and public health for addictive disorders.

Funding Sources

This research was supported by a grant from the Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention mbH (Germany). Funding bodies had no influence over the design and conduct of the study, and analysis and interpretation of the data.

Competing Interests

There are no competing interests

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May 29th, 9:00 AM May 29th, 10:25 AM

The Harmful effects of illegal gambling: A public health issue

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Some of the games available for gambling in Switzerland do not have the required licenses. Such illegal products are offered through the internet or in illegal gambling dens, such as bars and clubs. The evidence available, to date, concerns mostly criminology or counter effects on the economy. The gambling-related problems that impact individuals involved in illegally organized gambling have been little-researched. Therefore, a review has been conducted in order to provide an overview of the issue. Drawing on the available literature, as well as secondary data on the harmful consequences of illegal gambling, problem-oriented interviews were conducted with people who have previously been or are still involved in illegal gambling. In addition, interviews with members of the regulation board were carried out and addiction counsellors completed written questionnaires. The results suggest that Switzerland has an easily accessible illegal gambling market. The reasons for participation are diverse. The people involved draw attention to the lack of game protection measures, the granting of loans and personal entanglement for both players and providers. The results imply that the extent of illegal gambling and specific problems resulting from participating in games are an important public health issue and should be analyzed as part of existing epidemiological surveys.