Ripples in a pond: the disclosure to, and management of, problem Internet gambling with/in the family

For every individual with a gambling problem it is estimated that somewhere between a further 5-17 other individuals are adversely affected by it. Yet, despite the fact that this claim is commonly circulated, Krishnan and Orford point out that research into effects of problem gambling on gamblers' families has been limited and has not explored family coping in detail. This paper addresses this lacunae by drawing on qualitative research with problem Internet gamblers and their significant others (partners, parents, children and siblings) to examine the processes through which problem gambling is first disclosed within, and then managed by 'families'. The paper concludes by arguing that because problem Internet gambling is commonly contained as a secret within families to whom it is disclosed, and is 'self-corrected' by many of them, the issue and extent of problem Internet gambling does not become visible in the wider public domain.