In recently released research we now have reported evidence of a clear link between gambling and crime. This suspected and concerning reality had been on the radar for some time, but now research confirms this reality.
In a research report published in Addiction Journal a very disturbing correlation emerged…
Each 10% increase in gambling expenditure in NSW is associated with annual: · 10.5% increase in break and enter (dwelling) offences; · 10.3% increase in break and enter (non-dwelling) offences; · 11% increase in motor vehicle theft offences; · 8.2% increase in stealing from motor vehicle offences; and · 7.4% increase in fraud offences. · 7.4% increase in assaults,
These statistics paint a grim picture of the relationship between gambling and criminal activity. The study, conducted in New South Wales, Australia, provides the first unambiguous evidence of a causal link between gambling expenditure and rates of property and violent crime. This relationship persists even after controlling for various factors, including seasonal variations and socio-demographic differences between areas.
Ah, but we wonder how much alcohol consumption adds to or is combined with this largely acquisitional crime increase?
Clearly, ‘losing one’s shirt’ in an activity that is loaded against the punter could no doubt be a trigger for acquisitional crime. We are not speaking first of feeding an ‘addiction’ either. “I’m broke, I’m desperate, and I don’t care how I get the money to pay the next bill, frame me into my new situational ethic, and I justify my actions…”
Of course, one driven by addictive behaviours (image both gambling and alcohol dependencies) is far more likely to not even attempt to frame their criminal activity as a guilt assuaging ethical dilemma, rather, just act on this new impulse to feed the next ‘roll of the dice’ so to speak, and then drown one’s sorrows when the statistical odds of failure land.
When you consider that there are no legal public gambling venues that are not attached to a liquor licence, it is pretty easy to make more than an assumption about the impact of alcohol and gambling together would have on criminal conduct.
The co-location of gambling and alcohol services creates a dangerous synergy. Alcohol can impair judgement, leading to riskier gambling behaviour, while gambling losses can drive increased alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism. This toxic combination can escalate the likelihood of criminal behaviour, as individuals may resort to illegal means to recoup losses or fund their addictions.
In 2021 the National Drug Research Institute released their then, shocking findings, about the staggering cost of alcohol harms to the Australian community. The figures were astronomical at $67 Billion.
The cost directly associated with crime were, · $3.1 Billion is cost allocated to directly to crime · $2.0 Billion is the domestic violence and child abuse/protection (We will not include the arguably criminal liability of $2.4 billion on Road Traffic Crashes, but you may want to factor that in to this equation of community harm.)
These figures underscore the significant role alcohol plays in criminal behaviour and societal harm. The study, titled “Examining the Social and Economic Costs of Alcohol Use in Australia: 2017/18”, provides a comprehensive update on the costs of alcohol use in Australia. It’s worth noting that these estimates are considered conservative, as some harms where reliable costs couldn’t be determined were excluded.
The study also revealed that alcohol was responsible for $18.2 billion in tangible costs, including health service costs, worker absence, occupational injuries, and road traffic crashes. An additional $48.6 billion was attributed to intangible costs, such as years of life lost from premature death and lost quality of life from living with alcohol dependence.
However, there is also the often disconnected ‘criminal’ costs that can easily be lost in this catastrophic calculation – arguably criminal cost associated with the harm genre of child abuse and neglect – the damage of FASD on future criminal behaviour.
In 2020 published article experts were… ‘calling for all children in Australian criminal justice system to be assessed for FASD’. The ABC piece went on to report that, It is believed up to 40 per cent of inmates in Australian prisons may have the disability, but most are undiagnosed. Also, 36 per cent of West Australian Youth Detention clients also had FASD.
The realty of the congenital harms of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are irrefutable and one of the primary reasons for long standing campaigns to have warning labels put on all alcoholic beverage for both men and women who are of childbearing age – it is not just a ‘female’ issue as the science now confirms.
FASD is a significant concern that adds another layer to the complex relationship between alcohol, gambling, and crime. A recent global study published in JAMA Pediatrics estimated that nearly eight out of every 1,000 children in the general population have FASD. This prevalence is likely higher in populations involved with the criminal justice system.
The study found that one out of 13 women who consumed any alcohol at any point or frequency during pregnancy delivered a child with FASD. This statistic highlights the urgent need for public health messages about the potential harm of prenatal alcohol exposure and routine screening protocols.
Dr. Svetlana Popova, Senior Scientist at CAMH’s Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, emphasises the importance of early intervention: “Most of these children will require lifelong care, so the earlier they have access to appropriate therapy and supports, the better their long-term health and social outcomes will be.”
The link between FASD and criminal behaviour is particularly concerning. The cognitive and behavioural challenges associated with FASD can increase the risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. This creates a cyclical problem where alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to FASD, which in turn increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour in the affected individuals.
In light of these findings, it’s clear that addressing the intertwined issues of gambling, alcohol use, and crime requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. This could include:
- Enhanced screening for gambling addiction, alcohol use disorders, and FASD in criminal justice settings.
- Increased funding for addiction treatment and support services.
- Stricter regulations on the co-location of gambling and alcohol services.
- Public education campaigns on the risks associated with combining gambling and alcohol, as well as the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
- Mandatory FASD screening for youth entering the criminal justice system.
- Implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies targeting maternal alcohol consumption.
- Improved access to diagnostic services for FASD, especially in high-risk populations.
By addressing these issues holistically, we can hope to break the destructive cycle of alcohol, gambling, and crime, ultimately reducing the significant personal and societal costs associated with these interconnected problems.
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