How perceived benefits from gambling influence the relationship between risky gambling and harm

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Author(s): Rowlatt, Victoria ; Malatzky, Christina ; Wraith, Darren

Journal: Journal of Public Health

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: October 21, 2026

Gambling is a widespread recreational activity in Australia. Unfortunately, gambling can result in harms. Despite this, people report benefits from gambling. To date, little research has explored how perceived benefits from gambling influences gambling severity and harms. This study analyzed data from 1,474 adults living in Australia who were surveyed about gambling benefits, harms, engagement, and severity.

Overall, people who perceived more benefits from gambling were at higher risk for experiencing harms. Perceiving more benefits from gambling intensified the relationship between gambling and harms, but the effect was small. A stronger effect was observed among people with higher gambling risk and those who gambled infrequently. The findings can inform the development of interventions that target perceived gambling benefits.

Citation: Rowlatt, V., Malatzky, C., & Wraith, D. (2025). Disentangling harms and benefits: How gambling benefits influence the relationship between risky gambling engagement and harm. Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02638-3

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-025-02638-3

Keywords: gambling harm ; perceptions ; problem gambling severity ; reinforcement

Topics: Gambling Cognitions

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: The study surveyed 1,535 adults living in Brisbane, Australia, of whom 1,474 were included in the analyses. The inclusion criterion was having gambled in a land-based venue at least once in the previous six months.

Sampling Procedure: Eligible respondents were recruited through Qualtrics, an Internet panel comprising volunteers selected through convenience sampling.

Study Funding:

Funding was provided by the Queensland University of Technology Centre for Data Science.