Finland’s gambling system is set to change in 2027, when online gambling will be opened to international competition. Increased availability and marketing of high-risk forms of gambling make it increasingly important to recognize that the harms are also experienced within close relationships.
In her doctoral dissertation, ETL researcher Emmi Kauppila shows that partners, children, parents and others close to the person who gambles experience significant harms that often remain hidden.
The research shows that gambling-related financial problems may remain concealed from affected others for long periods and come to light only in crisis situations, when shared finances have been exhausted and bills have gone unpaid. The findings also highlight forms of economic abuse, including taking out loans in affected others’ names and pressuring them to fund gambling. Many affected others cope with these situations alone, as shame, fear of stigma and a desire to protect the family member may make it more difficult to seek help.
The dissertation also found that problem gambling can cluster within close relationships. Having a family member or friend with problem gambling increases a person’s own risk of developing gambling problems. At the same time, supportive family relationships can protect against this vulnerability.
“The findings show that gambling harm does not remain confined to the individual. Social relationships influence both how gambling problems develop and how harms spread to others. This becomes especially important at a time when the availability and marketing of harmful gambling products are increasing”, Kauppila says.
The doctoral dissertation of Master of Social Sciences Emmi Kauppila, titled Socially Distributed, Privately Managed: A social psychological investigation of gambling harm among affected others, will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Tampere University on 11 June 2026 at 12:00 in lecture hall Pinni B1100 (Kanslerinrinne 1, Tampere).
The Opponent will be Professor Jukka Törrönen from Stockholm University and the Custos will be Professor Atte Oksanen from Tampere University.
Read the dissertation here.