The potential impact of COVID-19 on our daily lives, including isolation, job loss, and stress,¹ may increase the risk of experiencing mental health challenges and, in turn, elevate the risk of experiencing gambling harms. There are known relationships between gambling harm and mental illnesses.² Gambling harm can contribute to, or intensify, existing mental health challenges, and experiencing mental health challenges can be risk factors for gambling harm.³

Gambling With Your Health Greater access to gambling can increase addiction. From the WebMD Archives For Patty, frequenting the slot machines at the Indian casino near her home in Southern. GAMBLING & MENTAL HEALTH Problem gambling can coincide with high rates of co-morbidity (the existence of other conditions such as alcohol and drug use and mental health issues, particularly depression) and cross addiction. There is also evidence that people gamble to deal with psychological problems. There are known relationships between gambling harm and mental illnesses. 2 Gambling harm can contribute to, or intensify, existing mental health challenges, and experiencing mental health challenges can be risk factors for gambling harm.

We have curated recent evidence that may help our stakeholders make informed decisions regarding gambling, mental health, and COVID-19.

Key Resources

1. Gambling Disorder Services, administered by the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, are contractually provided by Health Management Systems of America (HMSA), NorthCare Network, Northern Michigan Regional Entity (NMRE), Lakeshore Regional Entity (LRE), Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health (SWMBH), Mid-State Behavioral Health (MSBH), Community Mental Health Partner.
2. Gambling can also be a coping mechanism for those struggling with their mental health. Winning provides immediate happiness or gratification. It also gives individuals a sense of purpose or connection to others. Mental health and gambling is indeed a cyclical pattern.

The relationship between stress and gambling (GREO Knowledge Snapshot)

Coping and impulsivity can affect the impact of stressful life events on problem gambling among college students (GREO Research Snapshot)

Association between Internet Gaming Disorder and mental health (GREO Knowledge Snapshot)

The mental health costs of gambling in England and Scotland (GREO Research Snapshot)

Teenagers taking medication for nervousness may be more likely to develop gambling problems (GREO Research Snapshot)

Loneliness is associated with problem gambling and suicidality (GREO Report summary)

The role of loneliness in youth addictive behaviours: A cross-national study (GREO Research Snapshot)

Understanding the mental health burden of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom (Research commentary)

Does stress impact the link between problem gambling and mental disorders? (GREO Research Snapshot)

Know the odds: The links between mental health problems and gambling (Money and Mental Health Policy Institute policy note)

Gambling Affecting Mental Health Facilities

Happiness declines with increasing gambling (GREO Research Snapshot)

Relationships between personality disorders, suicidal behaviours, and problem gambling severity (GREO Research Snapshot)

Emotional regulation and coping strategies affect the mental health of family members of people with gambling disorder (GREO Research Snapshot)

Is there a link between gambling, health, and medicine use? (GREO Research Snapshot)

Want to learn more about gambling and mental health?

Gambling Affecting Mental Health Benefits

Have a specific question about gambling and mental health? Reach out to the GREO team at info@greo.ca.

Gambling Affecting Mental Health Issues