Gambling boosts economies, brings in extra money for communities, and is a great way to socialize. But it can also lead to addiction, financial struggles and hurt families when it isn’t handled responsibly.

In a world that feels increasingly isolating, gambling provides an opportunity for people to come together and experience a common activity. This can be a positive thing, especially for lower socioeconomic groups who don’t have many places to gather or interact with others.

The majority of gamblers are responsible and enjoy it as an entertaining diversion. But the reality is that 20 percent overindulge and run up debts that interfere with their ability to support themselves and their families. And those who are addicted often prioritize their gambling over other vital areas of their lives, like childcare and education. These are serious problems that have lasting societal impacts.

But the good news is that a growing number of people are learning to gamble responsibly and recognize the warning signs when they are going overboard. Public awareness campaigns are teaching people how to gamble safely, and the companies that offer gambling products are stepping up by offering tools that help them monitor and control their spending habits.

When it comes to gambling, the negative and positive social impacts can be separated into three classes: costs and benefits. These occur at the individual, interpersonal and community/society levels. Focusing only on the harms associated with gambling is too narrow and overlooks the many positive effects.