If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling and mental health, you are not alone. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the Gambling Help Online helpline on 1800 858 858.
Gambling and mental health are deeply connected. For many people, gambling problems and mental health difficulties exist side by side, each making the other worse. Understanding this connection is an important step toward breaking the cycle and finding a path to recovery.
How Gambling Affects Mental Health
Gambling can have a profound impact on a person’s psychological wellbeing. What may begin as a recreational activity can gradually erode mental health in ways that are difficult to recognise at first.
Anxiety
Problem gambling frequently leads to intense and persistent anxiety. The financial pressures created by gambling losses can cause constant worry about money, debts, and how to meet everyday expenses. Many people describe a sense of dread that follows them throughout the day — anxiety about being discovered, about the next bill, or about where the money will come from. Over time, this anxiety can become overwhelming, affecting sleep, concentration, and the ability to function at work or at home.
Depression
The emotional toll of gambling losses, broken relationships, and financial hardship can lead to depression. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and deep sadness are common among people experiencing problem gambling. The cycle of chasing losses and repeatedly failing to stop can erode a person’s sense of self-worth and leave them feeling trapped. Depression may also manifest as a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, withdrawal from family and friends, and persistent fatigue.
Stress
The stress associated with problem gambling is often relentless. Managing debts, hiding gambling behaviour from loved ones, and dealing with the consequences of losses all contribute to chronic stress. This ongoing pressure can affect physical health as well, leading to headaches, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. Stress from gambling can also spill over into relationships and work, creating further difficulties.
Shame and Guilt
Shame is one of the most powerful and isolating emotions associated with problem gambling. Many people feel deeply ashamed of their behaviour and the impact it has had on their families. This shame can prevent people from seeking help, as they fear judgement or believe they should be able to stop on their own. Guilt about money lost, promises broken, and trust damaged can become a heavy burden that compounds mental health difficulties.
Suicidal Ideation
In severe cases, the combination of financial devastation, relationship breakdown, shame, and hopelessness can lead to thoughts of suicide. Research consistently shows that people with gambling problems are at significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts compared to the general population. This is a serious and urgent concern. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out immediately — help is available and recovery is possible.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 — free, confidential support, 24/7.
How Existing Mental Health Conditions Increase Gambling Risk
The relationship between gambling and mental health works in both directions. Just as gambling can cause mental health problems, existing mental health conditions can make a person more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem.
Depression and Gambling
People living with depression may turn to gambling as a way to escape feelings of sadness, emptiness, or boredom. The excitement and stimulation of gambling can provide a temporary lift in mood, creating a powerful but ultimately destructive pattern of coping. When the gambling session ends and losses mount, the depression often returns more intensely than before.
Anxiety and Gambling
Some people use gambling to manage anxiety, finding that the focus required during gambling temporarily distracts them from their worries. Others may develop superstitious thinking or rituals around gambling that provide a false sense of control. Unfortunately, gambling almost always increases anxiety over time rather than reducing it.
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress
People who have experienced trauma, including childhood adversity, domestic violence, or other distressing events, may be more likely to develop gambling problems. Gambling can serve as a way to numb painful memories or emotions. The dissociative quality of certain forms of gambling, particularly electronic gaming machines, can be especially appealing to people seeking escape from trauma-related distress.
Substance Use and Other Addictions
Gambling problems frequently co-occur with alcohol and other drug use. The impulsivity and altered judgement associated with substance use can increase the likelihood of risky gambling behaviour. Similarly, the neurological pathways involved in gambling addiction share significant overlap with those involved in substance dependence.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Research suggests that people with ADHD may be at higher risk of developing gambling problems due to traits such as impulsivity, difficulty with decision-making, and a heightened need for stimulation. The fast-paced nature of many forms of gambling can be particularly attractive to people with ADHD.
The Cycle of Gambling and Poor Mental Health
One of the most challenging aspects of the relationship between gambling and mental health is the way they reinforce each other in a destructive cycle.
A person may begin gambling to cope with stress or low mood. Initially, gambling provides relief or excitement. However, as losses accumulate and gambling behaviour escalates, the person’s mental health deteriorates further. The worsening mental health then drives them to gamble more, seeking the temporary escape it provides. Financial problems, relationship difficulties, and social isolation compound the distress, and the cycle continues.
This pattern can feel impossible to break from the inside. The person may recognise that gambling is making things worse but feel unable to stop because it has become their primary coping mechanism. Breaking this cycle typically requires addressing both the gambling behaviour and the underlying mental health concerns simultaneously.
Co-occurring Conditions
When gambling problems and mental health conditions occur together, they are known as co-occurring or comorbid conditions. This is extremely common. Research indicates that the majority of people seeking help for problem gambling also experience at least one other mental health condition.
Common co-occurring conditions include:
- Depression and anxiety disorders — the most frequently reported mental health conditions alongside problem gambling.
- Substance use disorders — alcohol and drug problems often accompany gambling difficulties.
- Personality disorders — particularly borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
- Bipolar disorder — episodes of mania can involve reckless behaviour, including excessive gambling.
- Eating disorders — shared patterns of compulsive behaviour and difficulty with impulse control.
The presence of co-occurring conditions does not make recovery impossible. However, it does mean that effective treatment needs to address all of the conditions a person is experiencing, not just one in isolation.
The Scale of the Problem in Australia
Gambling-related harm is a significant public health issue in Australia. Research has shown that over 3 million Australians reported experiencing gambling-related harm, either directly through their own gambling or indirectly through the gambling of someone close to them. This figure underscores the widespread impact of gambling on individuals, families, and communities across the country.
Despite the scale of the problem, many people do not seek help. Shame, stigma, and a lack of awareness about available support services are major barriers. It is important to understand that gambling problems and mental health difficulties are health issues, not moral failings, and that effective help is available.
Warning Signs of a Mental Health Crisis
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, it may indicate a mental health crisis that requires immediate attention:
- Talking about wanting to die or feeling like a burden to others
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities
- Giving away possessions or putting affairs in order
- Extreme mood swings, agitation, or recklessness
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Expressing feelings of being trapped or in unbearable pain
Emergency Contacts
- Emergency services: 000 — call immediately if someone is in danger of harming themselves or others.
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 — free, confidential gambling support, 24/7.
Do not hesitate to reach out. A mental health crisis is a medical emergency, and seeking help is always the right decision.
Getting Help
Recovery from gambling problems and mental health difficulties is absolutely possible. Many thousands of Australians have found their way to a healthier, more stable life with the right support. The most important step is reaching out.
Gambling Support Services
- Gambling Help Online: 1800 858 858 — free, confidential telephone and online counselling available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online at gamblinghelponline.org.au.
- Gambling counselling services — professional counsellors who specialise in gambling problems are available in every state and territory. Learn more about gambling counselling services in Australia.
- Self-exclusion programmes — tools such as BetStop allow you to exclude yourself from gambling providers.
Mental Health Support Services
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 — 24-hour crisis support for anyone experiencing emotional distress.
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — information and support for anxiety, depression, and related conditions.
- Your GP — your doctor can assess your mental health, provide referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists, and create a Mental Health Treatment Plan that may entitle you to Medicare-subsidised sessions.
Addressing Both Issues Together
Because gambling and mental health are so closely linked, the most effective approach to recovery usually involves treating both at the same time. This might include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) — helps identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour related to both gambling and mental health.
- Counselling and psychotherapy — provides a safe space to explore the emotions and experiences driving gambling behaviour.
- Medication — where appropriate, medication for anxiety, depression, or other conditions can support recovery.
- Peer support groups — connecting with others who have similar experiences can reduce isolation and provide practical encouragement.
- Financial counselling — addressing debt and financial stress is an important part of reducing the overall burden on mental health.
If you have noticed warning signs of problem gambling in yourself or someone you care about, reaching out early makes a real difference. And if you are already on the path to recovery, understanding how to prevent gambling relapse can help you maintain your progress.
You Are Not Alone
Mental health struggles are common and they are treatable. Experiencing anxiety, depression, or other difficulties alongside a gambling problem does not make you weak or broken. It makes you human. Millions of Australians face similar challenges, and every day, people take the brave step of asking for help.
Recovery is not always a straight line. There may be setbacks along the way. But with the right support, a fulfilling life free from the harm of problem gambling is within reach. Whether you are taking the first step or continuing a journey you have already begun, support is available whenever you are ready.
Call the Gambling Help Online helpline on 1800 858 858 — free, confidential, 24/7.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services on 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 immediately. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or gambling behaviour. Problem Gambling Australia does not accept liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the information presented here.