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What is a Public Health Approach to Gambling?

A public health approach to gambling represents a fundamental shift in how we understand and address gambling harms. Broadly, a public health approach to gambling:

Acknowledges the relationship between experiencing gambling harms, comorbid mental health issues, and the determinants of health.¹

• Recent evidence has identified a significant relationship between gambling and a broad range of mental health conditions.^2,3
  
• Mental health issues can lead to gambling harm, result from gambling harm, or make pre-existing mental health issues worse.⁴
  
• Determinants of health beyond individual genetics and health behaviours, influences the likelihood and experience of harms.⁵
  

Adopts an upstream approach by moving away from an overemphasis on individual behaviour and responsibility by addressing systemic factors that influence harm.

• Systems-focused upstream approaches seek to reform the fundamental physical, sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors that shape how individuals grow, live, work, and age.
• This change happens primarily through the development of strategic system partnerships, policy implementation, community health strategies and initiatives, and regulatory change at the local, regional, provincial, and federal level.
• Rooted in the World Health Organization’s 1986 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion by: building healthy public policy; creating supportive environments; strengthening community action/capacity building; developing personal skills; and reorienting health services toward prevention of illness.

Broadens the understanding of who experiences harm from gambling and in what ways.

• The majority of gambling harms are experienced by low to moderate risk gamblers, not those who experience problem gambling, because they represent more of the population.⁶
  
• Gambling harms are not restricted to the person who gambles; harms can be experienced by an individual’s family, friends, and community.⁷
  
• Harms can be experienced episodically or chronically and can have generational and intergenerational harm.⁷
  
• Types of harm can include financial harm, relationship disruption, emotional or psychological distress, decrements to health, cultural harm, reduced professional or academic performance, and criminal activity and deviance.⁸
  

How can this program help you?

• Learn about the theory and practical applications of a public health approach to gambling
• Get customized summaries of the research
• Bring your project idea to life through our BET: System Impact funding grants
• Connect with others in the community of practice

For more information, see Get Involved.