The World of Chaos: Gambling Addiction and Its Effects on the Daily Lives of Filipinos

Kristian Carlo R. Celadiña

Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School

English 10

Ms. Maria Donita Dizon

April 27, 2021

Introduction

Why do people are involved in illegal gambling? Possibly, due to their community, to

the people they're connected with, conceivably due to their friends or peer pressure. Kids these

days, especially the new generations are now the people who are involved in this activity. They

are the one who is always the target to recruit, in view of the fact that they are young; they could

live longer, they are stronger; nothing health issues or anything and many more. Illegal gambling

is needless to say that can have a negative effect to our lives, not just us but others too; peculiarly

to the younger ones. The authorities need to refrain these activities and should have a solution to

these kind of problems.

This paper aims what will the government bestow to the addicts and the victims of this

activity and what will the government do to cease this war. It expound what will be the effects of

illegal gambling to the people included to this. Second, it focus to evince that whatever your age

is; old or young, you can be suspect or a victim to gambling. Authorities shouldn’t acknowledge

these actions, that it may have result of a huge problem.

Gambling is a very fun to do for some people. It’s about luck, prize; money. We all love

money. In this game, you should have consideration, risk, and a prize. However, sometimes this

game is also highly dangerous; very dangerous especially when it’s illegal. It is risky, tempting,

and addictive game. Illegal Gambling caused so many dangerous actions and most importantly to

your family, you can hurt them or somebody could hurt them. So, gambling just does not affect

you, it can also affect your family, self-esteem, physical and mental health, communities, and

workplace.
Interpretation of the Situation

Gambling addiction is a problem on the psychological aspect that makes individuals find

their ways to keep on playing. When they win, they feel like they possess an art of fortune and

when they lose, they want to reacquire what they lost so they still keep on playing (Domingo,

2017). In an incident that happened at the Resorts World Manila last June 2017, Andrea

Domingo, head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) stated that

gambling is an enigma that every person involved in this kind of game and their families

primarily need to confront since the state can only do so much in helping (Domingo, 2017).

Although an addiction can be remediated despite of the difficult circumstances.

Gambling addicts will be in a rehabilitation center that can help them get their abilities back and

regain independence. It can help them control their psychological issues due to gambling and this

is a very good opportunity to change. However, it can be socially and emotionally damaging

considering the danger, huge debts and jeopardized futures (Pagcor, 2017)

Misconceptions about Gambling

Effects of gambling does include self-destruction, psychological dilemmas, and emotional

traumas. However, it does not only focus about someone’s individuality. Effects of gambling

also give damages to the people surrounding the gambling addict, especially the families and the

people they are close with. It can destroy relationships, trust, impressions and can give them a

hard time coping up but it is possible to rebuild trust and retrieve finances. There is no gambling

problem that has to be permanent and they can always ask for help. Gambling may be a way to

escape problems but it is not a solution.

 Gambling does not make people earn money. Most gamblers lose money more than they

win especially when it comes to compulsive gamblers. It is more like a way to lose money. It is

an entertainment that people pay for. Casinos stay in foot because people forget that the money

used to make a casino work came from the losses of the gamblers, and lastly, almost all of the

gamblers do not win their money back again because the more the people remains active in

gambling, the greater the loss of their money is.

Neglegation of responsibilities occurs because of the amount of time required to satisfy

the gambling needs. Gambling addiction leads to absences, people tend to miss work that may

lead to financial loss, and becomes sleep deprived. The more they satisfy themselves, the more

they destroy their lives.

Indiviiduals who has problems with gambling can be negatively affected on their

behavioral aspect. Gambling is not a problem when it is controllable. It is also an escape from

something awful that happened but when it harms each person and their relationship with other

people, then it is alarming. People with gambling addiction and their families should undergo

counseling for them to know if the addicts harmed anyone including themselves then, they will

be accompanied to the rehabilitation center as soon as possible.

As the gambling addicts stays with the rehabilitation center, safety and support should be

provided and assured for the families of the addicts for them to be guided as they move forward

from the emotional trauma they had experienced. However if abuse was involved, It will cause

depression and trauma and it may take a lot of processes, but it is a step to a good passage

through a door of a new life.

Apparent Contribution to Recovery

Rehabilitation center is the best choice for them to recover from the addiction. They will

try to discipline themselves and cleanse their minds that revolves around gambling. Peer support

can also contribute to recovery to the addicts. Peer support can be found at some programs or

organizations made for people with addiction not only in gambling but also to alcohol and any

other forms of vices. This programs can provide understanding and will encourage them to look

at the right and brighter side of the life. Although some people with gambling addiction needs

medical assistance due to psychological dilemmas. They have to be encouraged so they can

willingly want to fight this addiction. Families and friends of the addicts can also give sympathy

in order for them to be enlighten about asking help and do the right thing.

Although, some addicts has led themselves be on the most crucial situation that made

them do crimes. In this situation, authorized people should immediately bring them to there

designated place since crime is not a valid excuse to satisfy any vices or addiction. But as long as

they willingly want to change and realize their faults, they should face the consequence. learn

how to accept themselves, and change themselves for the better.

Refutation

Considering gambling as a way out of boredom, it is as well fun but since money was

involved, people are most likely to get addicted. When they win, they don’t want to be defeated

anymore. Since gambling addiction causes many destructions in the family itself, most people

are more likely to ban those kinds of illegal things. Also, aside from banning, anti-abuse
organizations send some support by asking a psychologist to check up on them and some

officials set some protocols regarding on curfews because it limits them from gathering.

Conclusion

Therefore, compulsive gambling is an addiction. Gambling addiction leads to destruction

of relationships, marriages, and families. Addicts are also aggressive that resorts them to do

crime to corroborate their addiction in gambling. It also cause psychological problems that leads

to destroying their lives. Like other vices, gambling leads people down to the negative path in

life. So with all of this, the government should consider themselves stepping up and offer many

help for them to reduce or atleast prevent the rate of gambling addictcs on risinig. Lastly, people

should avoid gambling as early as they can because gambling can give nothing but problems in

our lives.
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