Fear of stigma stops people from seeking problem gambling help

While gambling is an accepted past-time in our community, having a problem with your gambling is not. There is also significant public stigma connected to seeking help for gambling problems - so much so, that it may stop people from seeking the help they need. Research released today from the ANU Centre for Gambling Research indicates that problem gambling is not well understood by the community in the way that alcohol and drug addictions are understood, and that this contributes to stigma associated with having a gambling problem. "Our research found that people with gambling problems feel ashamed and feel stupid, and that other people perceive them as being stupid, selfish people who hurt their families," says Dr Annie Carroll from the ANU Centre for Gambling Research. "Under these circumstances, people experiencing problems with their gambling don't want to seek help because they don't want to be labeled a problem gambler." "While people with alcohol and other drug problems who seek treatment elicit some public sympathy because they are understood to have an addiction, people with gambling problems tend to be blamed for their lack of control and are more likely to be viewed as being desperate if they seek help." The research also found that the promotion of the 'Gamble Responsibly' message can be counterproductive when viewed by some people experiencing gambling harms which can lead to feelings of shame. "The slogan promotes the notion that responsible gambling is within individual control while ignoring the fact that there are innate risks in gambling products," says Dr Carroll.