Gambling and mental health are deeply intertwined, and the relationship runs in both directions. Poor mental health can push people toward gambling as a form of escape or self-medication, while sustained problem gambling — with its financial strain, secrecy, and loss of control — can trigger or worsen conditions such as depression and anxiety. Understanding this two-way link is central to both prevention and recovery.
Conditions That Commonly Co-Occur
Gambling problems seldom exist in isolation. Clinical and population research consistently finds higher rates of several mental-health and substance-use conditions among people experiencing gambling harm. Exact figures vary widely between community samples and treatment populations, so the table summarises the direction of the evidence rather than a single number.
| Co-occurring condition | What the research indicates |
|---|---|
| Depression & mood disorders | Substantially more common than in the general population; low mood can both drive and follow gambling harm. |
| Anxiety disorders | Frequently reported alongside gambling problems, often worsened by financial pressure and secrecy. |
| Alcohol & other substance use | Among the most strongly linked conditions; the two frequently reinforce each other. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Elevated risk, particularly during periods of heavy debt or crisis — a key reason to seek help early. |
A Strong Overlap With Other Conditions
Research on gambling disorder consistently finds high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions. Reviews of the clinical literature report that people with gambling disorder have roughly three times the rate of major depression and of generalised anxiety disorder compared with the general population, alongside elevated rates of substance use disorders. CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital, treats problem gambling within its addictions programs precisely because it so often appears together with these other conditions.
The scale of the harm is significant at a population level. Statistics Canada has noted that the overall burden of gambling-related harm in Canada is similar in magnitude to that of major depression or alcohol misuse — a striking comparison for an activity often seen as harmless entertainment.
Which Comes First?
There is no single sequence. For some people, an existing mood or anxiety disorder comes first and gambling becomes a way to cope; for others, the financial and relationship damage from gambling drives the onset of depression or anxiety. Because the direction varies, effective treatment usually addresses both the gambling and the underlying or resulting mental health condition together, rather than one in isolation.
The Most Serious Risk
Gambling disorder is associated with a markedly elevated risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts — one of the reasons early intervention matters so much. If you or someone you know is in distress, the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is available across Canada by call or text, 24 hours a day. This is not a sign of weakness or a last resort; it is exactly what these services exist for.
What Helps
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), the most studied psychological treatment for gambling disorder, which targets the thinking patterns that sustain it.
- Treating co-occurring depression, anxiety, or substance use at the same time.
- Practical control measures — deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion — to reduce exposure while recovery is underway.
- Peer support, including Gamblers Anonymous and family support groups.
Prevention matters too. Keeping within Canada’s Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines lowers the likelihood of gambling escalating into a mental health problem in the first place. For related reading, see our guides on gambling and anxiety and gambling addiction symptoms.
Sources and Further Reading
The information on this page draws on Canadian public-health and regulatory sources. For the underlying research and official guidance, see:
- Statistics Canada — Who gambles and who experiences gambling problems in Canada (Health Reports, 2022).
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) — Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction — Canada’s Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines.
- Gambling disorder comorbidity: a narrative review (peer-reviewed, 2025).
If Gambling Is Causing Harm, Help Is Available in Canada
Support is free, confidential, and available across the country. If you or someone close to you is struggling, you don’t have to wait until things reach a crisis point.
- ConnexOntario — free, confidential help for gambling, alcohol, drugs, and mental health, 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600.
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text 9-8-8 any time if you or someone you know is in distress.
- Responsible Gambling Council — a Canadian non-profit with tools, self-assessments, and provincial resources.
- Read more across our guides, starting with the Responsible Gambling in Canada hub.