Energy poverty describes when people struggle to pay their energy bills for basic needs, such as heating and cooling their home. This study is the first to investigate whether problem gambling is a cause of energy poverty. The researchers analyzed data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA). The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to assess gambling behaviours. The results suggested a causal pathway from problem gambling to energy poverty. Concerns about being able to heat one’s home and paying energy bills on time increased with more severe gambling behaviours. Household budget share for energy use fell with moderate-risk and problem gambling, suggesting that people were cutting down on their energy use to gamble.
