The Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling: A revised framework for understanding gambling harm

Area of Science:

• Addiction Research
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (CFHG) was initially developed in 2013.
• It addresses risks and effects of gambling harm at individual, family, and community levels.
• The Gambling Research Exchange (GREO) facilitated its development and manages updates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the revised Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (CFHG) from 2018.
• To detail the framework's multi-level approach to gambling harm.
• To highlight updates reflecting current gambling landscape and research.

Main Methods:

• Description of eight interrelated factors within the framework.
• Outline of the collaborative development and update process.
• Identification of new topics in the 2018 revision, including social/economic impacts and a new harm model.

Main Results:

• The framework includes specific factors (environment, exposure, types, treatment) and general influences (cultural, social, psychological, biological).
• Updates incorporate social and economic impacts of gambling.
• A new model for understanding gambling-related harm is introduced.

Conclusions:

• The CFHG is relevant to gambling and behavioral addictions research.
• It complements harm-based frameworks in other addiction fields.
• The framework provides a multi-disciplinary perspective on gambling harm antecedents and co-occurring factors.