Understanding gambling related harm a proposed definition, conceptual framework, and taxonomy of harms

Background: Harm from gambling is known to impact individuals, families, and communities; and these harms arenot restricted to people with a gambling disorder. Currently, there is no robust and inclusive internationally agreedupon definition of gambling harm. In addition, the current landscape of gambling policy and research uses inadequateproxy measures of harm, such as problem gambling symptomology, that contribute to a limited understanding ofgambling harms. These issues impede efforts to address gambling from a public health perspective.Methods: Data regarding harms from gambling was gathered using four separate methodologies, a literature review,focus groups and interviews with professionals involved inthe support and treatment of gambling problems, interviewswith people who gamble and their affected others, and an analysis of public forum posts for people experiencingproblems with gambling and their affected others. The experience of harmrelated to gambling was examined togenerate a conceptual framework. The catalogue ofharms experienced were organised as a taxonomy.Results: The current paper proposes a definition and conceptualframework of gambling related harm that captures thefull breadth of harms that gambling cancontribute to; as well as a taxonomy of harms to facilitate the development ofmore appropriate measures of harm.Conclusions: Our aim is to create a dialogue that will lead to a more coherent interpretation of gambling harm acrosstreatment providers, policy makers and researchers