Prevalence of types of gambling harm reported by affected others

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Author(s): Spence, Kimberley ; Dowling, Nicki A. ; Browne, Matthew ; Rockloff, Matthew J. ; Merkouris, Stephanie S. ; Dias, Stephanie E.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: August 29, 2025

This study examined harms experienced by affected others (AOs) that were attributed to gambling. The quantitative phase used survey data from 197 AOs to identify the rates of harms across different domains. The qualitative phase used interview data of 20 AOs to explore their lived experience of these harms in depth. Data came from the Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study (SEIS) of Gambling in Tasmania, Australia. Overall, emotional or psychological harm was the most common domain of harm, reported by almost all AOs (90%). About 76% of AOs reported relationship harm. Other common domains of harm included financial harm, health harm, work or study harm, and other harm. Analysis of the interview data revealed interconnections between the different harm domains.

Citation: Spence, K., Dowling, N. A., Browne, M., Rockloff, M., Merkouris, S. S., & Dias, S. E. (2025). “It was never-ending…”: Investigating gambling harm reported by affected others. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-025-10388-w

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-025-10388-w

Keywords: affected others ; family relationships ; financial harms ; gambling harm ; lived experience ; personal relationships

Topics: Family and Friends

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Gambling Environment ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: 41.5% (quantitative component)

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Australia, Tasmania

Study Population: Adults (18+ years) living in Tasmania who reported being personally affected by another person’s gambling (n = 197 for the quantitative component; n = 20 for the qualitative component)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers analyzed data collected for the Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study (SEIS) of Gambling in Tasmania. The SEIS was a dual-frame population-representative gambling prevalence CATI survey, including random digit dial landline and mobile phone samples. Participants who reported personally affected by another person’s gambling were invited to participate in an in-depth semi-structured interview.

Study Funding:

Open Access funding enabled and organized by CAUL and its Member Institutions. The Fourth Social and Economic Impact Study (SEIS) of Gambling in Tasmania was funded by the Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance.