CAN PROBLEM GAMBLING COEXIST WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?
Gambling-related harm often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, reflecting a broader pattern of co-occurring disorders, or what clinicians refer to as comorbidity. Understanding this link between gambling and mental health is vital because the presence of one disorder can often mask, exacerbate, or even trigger the other.
The Hard Truth About Gambling And Mental Health
Gambling disorder and broader patterns of problematic gambling behavior are characterized by difficulty limiting time or money spent on gambling, which may lead to negative personal or social outcomes. Individuals experiencing gambling-related difficulties may:
- Rapidly increase the amount of money they spend on bets
- Become restless when they stop betting
- Are often preoccupied with the thought of gambling
The expansion of online sports betting has increased accessibility, which may contribute to higher exposure and, for some individuals, increased risk of developing gambling-related difficulties.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders Of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is often not the only behavioral challenge players can face. Research indicates that gambling disorder is one of the most comorbid conditions in psychiatry. Data from the National Comorbidity Study suggests that up to 96% of individuals with a gambling disorder meet the criteria for at least one other lifetime psychiatric disorder, and more than 60% report with three or more.
Some of the most common-occurring disorders of problem gambling include:
- Mood Disorders: Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are highly prevalent co-occurring disorders of problem gambling, with some studies showing nearly 50% of disordered gamblers reporting a mood disorder. Social isolation, impulse control and a feeling of hopelessness are common in those who experience these conditions. Recent ICRG-funded studies on young adults aged 18–25, have shown that problem sports betting is strongly correlated with elevated levels of loneliness, stress, and lower life satisfaction.
- Anxiety Disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorder are also common comorbid mental health conditions associated with problem gambling. Some individuals may engage in gambling as a way of coping with anxiety. While short-term relief may be experienced, this pattern can, for some, contribute to repeated engagement that reinforces both anxiety and gambling behavior.
- Substance Abuse Disorders: Alcohol and drug use are the most common companions to problem gambling. They often arise as a result of problem gambling, as players seek ways to manage their stress or emotions. Substance use and gambling behaviors often co-occur, with each potentially reinforcing the other in ways that can increase overall risk.
- Personality Disorders: Certain personality traits, such as impulsivity or difficulties with emotional regulation, have been associated with increased vulnerability to gambling-related harm.
The Importance Of Sports Betting-Related Mental Health Research
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) has been at the forefront of identifying how these associations manifest, specifically within the rapidly growing sector of sports wagering.
According to a 2026 ICRG-funded study published in Addictive Behaviors, depression and anxiety are significantly related to problem sports betting. The research identified coping methods among participants, such as using betting as a form of self-medication to deal with negative emotion, escape the numbing effects of depression or quiet the high-frequency noise of anxiety. Some participants reported using betting as a way to manage negative emotional states, with short-term reinforcement potentially contributing to continued engagement.
Further sports betting studies reveal young adults who exhibit symptoms of problem gambling also score high on indices of mental health symptomology. However, this emerging area of public health interest has been largely unexplored due to a lack of research and funding, putting the greater population at risk. Fortunately, the International Center for Responsible Gaming is closing this gap. As a leading funder of independent, peer-reviewed research on gambling and its impacts, ICRG is shaping policy and driving progress for the gaming industry and those affected. To learn more about the unbiased, peer-reviewed research we fund, visit icrg.org.
