This research report examined the association between poor mental wellbeing or a diagnosed mental health condition and experiencing problem gambling. The researchers used data from the 2015-2017 Scottish Health Survey and the 2015, 2016, and 2018 Health Survey for England. The results confirmed previous findings that people with poor mental wellbeing or a diagnosed mental health condition were significantly more likely to experience moderate risk or problem gambling, despite being less likely to gamble at all. For example, the study found that 50% of people who experienced significant mental distress gambled in the past year compared to 54% of people who were not experiencing significant mental distress, yet rates of experiencing moderate risk/problem gambling were 2.4% and 1.2%. Recommendations include that gambling should be embedded within broader strategies designed to improve mental health (e.g., as a risk factor for poor mental wellbeing; suicidality, etc.).
