The dominant framing in response to gambling harm is ‘responsible gambling’, and its individualized categorization of the ‘problem gambler’. However, this is the subject of increasing critique and concern. There is an emerging recognition that the internalization of responsible gambling discourse may be damaging for people who gamble. This framing may lead to the individualization of responsibility for gambling problems and may be reflected in stigma and blame, shame, and even self-harm or suicidality.
People who gamble may not be aware of the systemic nature of gambling harm, and how practices of the industry and governments may lead to the establishment of gambling problems and harm. In this Research Topic we would like to address the following questions:
What do we know about the relationship between gambling, self-harm, and suicide?
How can we better support recognition of the awareness of the relationship between industry practices and gambling harm?
To what extent are industry-oriented discourses such as ‘responsible gambling’ and categories such as the ‘problem gambler’ internalized by gamblers?
What are the consequences of this internalization process?
We encourage contributors to submit original research articles, systematic reviews, perspectives, and mini-reviews including but not limited to the following:
• Gambling and self-harm, suicidality, and/or suicide
• Stigma and gambling
• Critiques of ‘responsible gambling’
• Critiques of ‘problem gambling’
• Harmful or predatory gambling industry practices and how these affect people who gamble
The dominant framing in response to gambling harm is ‘responsible gambling’, and its individualized categorization of the ‘problem gambler’. However, this is the subject of increasing critique and concern. There is an emerging recognition that the internalization of responsible gambling discourse may be damaging for people who gamble. This framing may lead to the individualization of responsibility for gambling problems and may be reflected in stigma and blame, shame, and even self-harm or suicidality.
People who gamble may not be aware of the systemic nature of gambling harm, and how practices of the industry and governments may lead to the establishment of gambling problems and harm. In this Research Topic we would like to address the following questions:
What do we know about the relationship between gambling, self-harm, and suicide?
How can we better support recognition of the awareness of the relationship between industry practices and gambling harm?
To what extent are industry-oriented discourses such as ‘responsible gambling’ and categories such as the ‘problem gambler’ internalized by gamblers?
What are the consequences of this internalization process?
We encourage contributors to submit original research articles, systematic reviews, perspectives, and mini-reviews including but not limited to the following:
• Gambling and self-harm, suicidality, and/or suicide
• Stigma and gambling
• Critiques of ‘responsible gambling’
• Critiques of ‘problem gambling’
• Harmful or predatory gambling industry practices and how these affect people who gamble
