This report examines gambling participation among military service personnel and veterans. Military veterans are at risk of experiencing gambling-related harms. This report focused on gambling participation, mental health, and social costs among UK military veterans. Findings from the report include:
- Veterans were 10 times more likely to experience gambling harms than non-veterans
- Veterans were more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes and substance use
- Veterans with problem gambling had higher health care costs and debt levels This report is consistent with international findings.
The authors note that negative mental health outcomes may increase the risk of gambling harms after leaving the Armed Forces. Suggestions from the report include:
- Routine screenings for problem gambling
- Greater access to gambling education and programs for active personnel
- Reduce stigma around help seeking for problem gambling
The press release for the report is available here.
