Gambling is a popular pastime that can have significant positive and negative social impacts. These include financial, labor and health and well-being impacts affecting gamblers as well as those who do not participate in gambling. These impacts occur at personal, interpersonal and community/society levels (Fig. 1).

In contrast to other recreational activities, like watching sports or going to the movies, which involve passive entertainment, gambling requires cognitive engagement through games of skill and strategy, such as poker, blackjack, and sports betting. It also evokes feelings of hope and optimism by providing a chance to win, even when the odds are against it. In a society that can feel isolating, gambling venues are often the only place where people from different backgrounds gather and interact. They can serve as a place to celebrate wins or offer tips, and they can be a form of social support for those with health or mobility issues, such as older adults.

In addition, gambling has been a long-time favorite method of fund-raising for charities, with bingo nights and raffles raising millions of dollars each year. However, it is difficult to determine the portion of these funds that are actually derived from gambling and how to measure them. Additionally, fewer studies have considered the intangible social costs of gambling and how to capture them in calculations. This article provides a foundation on which to develop common methodology for measuring these effects, as well as a theoretical model that can help guide future research.