Most of the effect comes from poker machine gambling, 75 per cent of the harm associated with gambling in Australia is attributable to poker machine gambling. About 62 per cent of expenditure on gambling in Australia goes through poker machines, including poker machines in casinos. Many people enjoy gambling, whether it is at the pokies, betting online, or purchasing a lottery ticket. However, for some people, gambling can stop being a source of occasional entertainment and become a serious problem. The term ‘problem gambling’ is most commonly used to describe an individual’s inability to control the amount of money and/or time spent gambling which results in negative consequences for their social, family, and work life.

A new study by researchers at Phoenix Australia has found that gambling is a significant and unrecognised problem among Australia’s military personnel. The study of 1324 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel shortly following operational deployment to the Middle East showed that almost eight per cent reported gambling problems, which was higher than levels of harmful drinking. The study highlights the need for increased awareness of these issues in military organisations and mental health services, and greater capacity of gamblers help services to respond appropriately to military personnel and veterans.

This is the first study of gambling problems in contemporary Australian veterans after deployment. While there are studies emanating from the US, and previous Australian studies have looked at gambling problems amongst Vietnam-era veterans, an increased understanding of the particular issues that exist for contemporary ADF members is needed.

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While the study found the rate of gambling problems to be almost eight per cent, it also found that amongst males aged 18 to 24 years the level was significantly higher at 13 per cent.

Gambling and posttraumatic mental health problems

The study also suggested an important link between gambling problems and trauma. Lead researcher, Dr Sean Cowlishaw says, “It is evident from our research that gambling problems should be recognised as a posttraumatic mental health problem, and considered routinely alongside other common issues including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use problems. We found that 40 per cent of ADF personnel who reported problem gambling also suffered from PTSD.” Sean adds

“What we think is occurring is that some of these members have been exposed to trauma – potentially whilst on deployment – causing considerable psychological stress, and as a result, they turn to gambling as a form of self-medication.”

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One question the research raises is why gambling problems might be more prevalent than alcohol misuse amongst contemporary ADF personnel, when compared to older veterans such as those who served in Vietnam.

Sean surmises that gambling has become increasingly accessible and pervasive in Australian society through, for example, betting apps and an abundance of electronic gaming machines, alongside high levels of gambling advertising on TV and in sports. He adds, “In the work environment, gambling may be less detrimental to productivity and may be ignored by employers, which is less the case with problematic alcohol use”.

The research team also found a link with a range of post-deployment adjustment problems. While it is not uncommon for personnel to experience some difficulty reintegrating into the community when they return from overseas deployment, members with a gambling problem were three times as likely to have adjustment difficulties.

The need for greater awareness

The research findings highlight the need for mental health services, within the ADF and in the broader community, to be vigilant for gambling problems in this group. Screening following deployment could be beneficial in picking up the problem at an early stage. Effective responses to gambling problems must also be available, either within mental health services or by referring on to specialist gamblers help services.

Sean’s advice to gamblers help services is to “provide training to staff to help them understand military culture. This factor is central to developing a positive, trusting relationship between the provider and the military veteran”.

“Given that in Australian society gambling has become quite ubiquitous, and that the impacts on the individual and their relationships can be severe, we need to improve our recognition of and response to this problem,” Sean says.

“Further research is needed to help to improve initiatives to reduce the harm of gambling within the Australian military.”

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The study was funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, and involved data provided by the Australian Government Department of Defence.