Understanding the Connection between Gambling Harm and Domestic Violence
As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, it’s crucial to shed light on the intersection between domestic violence and gambling harm. Understanding how these issues are linked can help us provide better support and resources for those affected. Here’s a closer look at the connection and the assistance available for individuals and families struggling with these challenges.
Immediate Assistance
If you or your children are in immediate danger due to domestic violence, please seek help right away. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-3224 for support and guidance on how to ensure your safety and access resources for you and your family.
Defining the Problem
Domestic Violence: This refers to violent or aggressive behavior within a domestic setting, often involving abuse by a spouse or partner. It encompasses physical violence, sexual, psychological, social, or financial abuse, harassment, and stalking. Domestic violence frequently intersects with other risky behaviors, including gambling.
Gambling: This involves risking something of value for a chance to win something better, always involving an element of chance. Problem gambling is defined as gambling that causes significant harm or problems in a person’s life including financial difficulties, impacts on work or school, physical and mental health issues, and strain on relationships. This harm could manifest itself into real psychological and/or physical danger.
Research suggests that gambling related violence does occur, and often manifests into incidents of domestic violence, as gamblers may take out their anger over gambling losses on their partners. There is also limited, but growing international evidence that problem gambling is consistently associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as violence that extends beyond intimate partners into the broader family (Dowling, Suomi, et al,. 2016).
Some ways gambling harm and domestic violence are connected include:
- Gambling behavior can introduce significant stressors that may lead to conflicts or violence within relationships.
- The gambling harm may increase before incidents of domestic violence occur.
- Many individuals with gambling problems have been involved in physical intimate partner violence, either as victims or perpetrators.
Warning Signs
Recognizing the signs of gambling problems is crucial for addressing potential domestic violence. Watch for these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, restlessness, or withdrawal
- Constant preoccupation with gambling
- Frequent borrowing of money
- Delayed bill payments
- Neglect of household responsibilities
- Isolation from family and friends
- Extended periods of unexplained absence
- Decline in personal health or hygiene
- Difficulty reducing or stopping gambling
- Extreme feelings of guilt or shame
- Suicidal thoughts
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone close to you, seeking support is essential. Remember, help is available, and no one has to face these challenges alone.
How Can I Determine if I Have a Gambling Problem?
Try our anonymous e-Screener to assess whether you might have a gambling problem. This tool will provide an evaluation of your gambling behavior and offer guidance on available resources and support to address and reduce gambling harm.
Taking Action
There are numerous resources and support services designed to help those affected by gambling harm and domestic violence. Identifying a gambling problem is the first step toward recovery and rebuilding a healthy, violence-free relationship.
If you find yourself struggling with gambling harm, or if you suspect someone you know is facing such challenges, don’t hesitate to seek help. For 24/7 support, call the NYS OASAS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or text 467369. Or choose your county using our interactive map on our NYProblemGamblingHELP.org HOME PAGE to see the contact information for the Problem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC) in your region.
Stay informed, stay safe, and remember that support is always available.