Many public health initiatives aim to raise awareness of gambling-related harms to encourage less risky gambling behaviour. These initiatives are informed by the idea that people are more likely to change a risky health behaviour when they see its consequences as serious and themselves as vulnerable to the threat.

Real-world gambling behavioural data can be a very useful tool for identifying people at risk of problem gambling (PG) and associated harms. These types of datasets are normally obtained from online gambling platforms or electronic gambling machines in land-based venues.

Gambling can cause harm related to finances, physical health, mental health, employment, and relationships. Members of the Armed Forces, including currently serving and ex-service personnel, are at higher risk of gambling-related harm because of service-related stressors. Yet, many do not seek help due to reasons like stigma, shame, and fear of dismissal. It is important to understand the lived experiences of veterans and their family members who are impacted by gambling-related harm. The purpose of this study was to examine gambling trajectories, motivations, and support-seeking behaviours among UK Armed Forces veterans and family members.