The researchers examined the impact of gambling on homeownership in Australia, and factors that might influence this link. The researchers used two waves of data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores, people with more severe gambling problems are less likely to own a home. One unit increase in PGSI score is linked to 1.6 to 1.8 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of homeownership. When looking at the risk categories based on the PGSI, those belonging to a higher risk category are less likely to own a home. Greater financial stress and lower social capital are two channels through which gambling lowers the likelihood of homeownership. Financial stress has a greater effect on the relationship between gambling and homeownership than social capital.
