Key findings

• Affected others can perceive harmful gambling as an illness resulting in the need to ‘help’ the person gambling by taking on financial and emotional responsibility.
• Affected others can perceive harmful gambling as the result of the person who gambles failing to do so responsibly and can lead affected others to view them as selfish and let down.
• Both perceptions can exacerbate gambling-related harm among affected others, specifically emotional, relational and financial harm, but importantly these perceptions can increase stigma and reduce their likelihood to reach out for support.
• These stigmatising perceptions are shaped and driven by the normalisation of gambling through family and peer attitudes, lack of education and awareness, and the ubiquitous marketing of gambling.
• Many affected others do not think treatment and support is relevant or effective for them.