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Impact of problem gambling on financial, emotional and social well-being of Singaporean families

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  • Mathew Mathews
  • Rachel Volberg

Abstract

Problem gambling has a profound impact on family members. While this has been previously documented, this paper reports on the first study to consider the extent of this impact in Asian societies where the family continues to be a very important basis for social organization. This study, based on in-depth interviews with 50 Singaporeans with a family member who is a problem or pathological gambler, examines how their financial, emotional and social well-being is impinged upon by gambling. The enormous losses of savings, property and lifestyle, the emotional tensions based on constant harassment from moneylenders, the threats of suicide by the gambler and the distancing of social networks place family members of problem gamblers in a vulnerable state. The qualitative data in this paper fleshes out the lived experience of family members and reveals the extent to which the family is mobilized in Asian societies to cope with problem gambling. While the impact of problem gambling on families is similar across societies, routine mobilization of the extended family and the greater role of public shame and embarrassment in dictating Asian families' responses underscore the need for specialized services in these societies to assist family members to better cope with the financial, emotional and social strains caused by problem gambling.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathew Mathews & Rachel Volberg, 2013. "Impact of problem gambling on financial, emotional and social well-being of Singaporean families," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 127-140, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intgms:v:13:y:2013:i:1:p:127-140
    DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2012.731422
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    Cited by:

    1. Sari Castrén & Kalle Lind & Heli Hagfors & Anne H. Salonen, 2021. "Gambling-Related Harms for Affected Others: A Finnish Population-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Isaac Koomson & Sefa Awaworyi Churchill & Musharavati Ephraim Munyanyi, 2022. "Gambling and Financial Stress," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 473-503, August.
    3. Suomi, Aino & Bailey, Megan & Lucas, Nina & Dowling, Nicki & Delfabbro, Paul, 2023. "“It’s like you’re not even there…”: Gambling harm experienced by children of gambling parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    4. Mahendru, Mandeep & Sharma, Gagan Deep & Pereira, Vijay & Gupta, Mansi & Mundi, Hardeep Singh, 2022. "Is it all about money honey? Analyzing and mapping financial well-being research and identifying future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 417-436.
    5. Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa & Smyth, Russell, 2021. "Locus of control and energy poverty," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    6. Esther C. L. Goh & Vincent Ng & Brenda S. A. Yeoh, 2016. "The family exclusion order as a harm-minimisation measure for casino gambling: the case of Singapore," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 373-390, September.
    7. Gathoni Ndung’u Benson & Simon Munayi & Janet Wanjira & justus Inyega, 2021. "Investigating the effects of online sports betting on the perceived social wellbeing of student athletes," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 3(2), pages 62-72, April.

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