Responsible Gambling

Abstract

This chapter discusses responsible gambling from the perspective of a consumer and a reformed problem gambler. The author explains her history with problem gambling and describes the results of her research into responsible gambling. She outlines several ways in which it could be made more effective, including addressing gamblers’ fear, stigma, and shame and matching the message to the intended target. She argues that effective harm minimization is not about policies, programs, and methods but about changing the attitudes of the people responsible for developing and implementing them and better educating the general public about this issue. Stakeholders must put aside their own convictions and motivations, listen to each other, and then work together on programs that produce the ultimate outcome: reduction or, at best, the elimination of gambling-related harm. Understanding each other’s different perspectives will increase stakeholders’ willingness to work together to develop evidence-based measures that will make a real difference to people’s lives.