Gambling Problems in UK Armed Forces Veterans: Preliminary Findings

Executive summary • International evidence shows elevated rates of problem gambling in former members of the Armed Forces (i.e., veterans). • To date, no research has investigated gambling problems in United Kingdom Armed Forces veterans. • We analysed an existing large dataset, the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. • Post-national service Armed Forces veterans were compared with matched controls on gambling problems, mental health, substance abuse, and financial management. • Armed Forces veterans were more than eight times more likely than nonveterans to exhibit problem gambling. • Male veterans were more likely than male non-veterans to have ever experienced a traumatic event. • The difference in problem gambling between veterans and non-veterans was not explained by prior differences in mental health, substance abuse, or financial management problems. • In conclusion, UK Armed Forces veterans are more likely than non-veterans to experience gambling problems and these problems are not explained by prior mental health, addiction or debt and money worries. • Given the preliminary nature of the findings, further research on the nature and extent of gambling problems in current and former members of the UK Armed Forces is needed.