Gambling and its association with psychological distress among different population groups: a cross-sectional study...

To estimate associations between past-year gambling and risk of harm from gambling with psychological distress, and explore whether these associations differ across population subgroups.

Data were collected from 1,987 adults (≥ 18y) in Great Britain in October 2022 through a nationally-representative household survey. Participants reported past-year gambling activity. Those who had gambled completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index; scores ≥ 1 indicated the person was at risk of harm from gambling. Past-30-day psychological distress was assessed with the K6 and categorised as low/no (scores < 5) vs. moderate/severe distress (≥ 5). Covariates included sociodemographics, mental health history, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

Past-year gambling was not associated with increased odds of experiencing psychological distress relative to not gambling (29.7% vs. 32.6%; OR = 0.87 [0.70-1.09]; OR_adj=0.81 [0.62-1.06]), and there was no clear evidence of moderation by age, gender, social grade, children in the household, mental health history, smoking, or alcohol consumption. Among past-year gamblers, those at risk of harm from gambling were more likely to report distress than those not at risk (46.9% vs. 28.2%; OR = 2.25 [1.23-4.10]). This association was attenuated after adjustment for sociodemographics (OR_adj=1.67 [0.84-3.35]) and additionally for mental health history, smoking status, and alcohol consumption (OR_adj=1.16 [0.57-2.35]).

Psychological distress appears similar between those who had and had not gambled in the past year in Great Britain in 2022. Those at risk of harm from gambling were more likely to experience psychological distress but it does not appear independent of their sociodemographic characteristics, mental health history, and smoking and alcohol consumption. These findings underscore the need for integrated policies and intervention strategies that address not only gambling behaviour but also consider associated sociodemographic and health-related factors to effectively mitigate distress among individuals at risk.