Association between slot machine gambling and debt recovery process-Finnish population-based study with register linkage

Background: Slot machine gambling is frequently associated with problematic gambling behavior. Those who engage in excessive gambling may discover themselves accumulating substantial debts due to losses sustained in gambling activities. This can lead to a variety of financial difficulties, including difficulties in meeting loan obligations, settling credit card debts, or fulfilling other financial commitments. As these debts become burdensome, individuals may face the challenges of the debt recovery process (DRP), during which debt recovery agencies work to retrieve the outstanding debts. There is however, lack of studies on associations between slot machine gambling and debt recovery process.
Method: The study analyzed data from the Finnish Gambling 2019, a nationally representative survey among 15-74-year-olds with register linkage, to determine whether there is an association between slot machine gambling and DRP. Logistic regression models were created, with DRP as the dependent variable and sex, age, employment status, education, and receiving social assistance controlled as covariates. The results were presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). 
Results: Overall, 6% of people had faced DRP in 2019. DRP was more common among people who were gambling slot machines. Almost every tenth of these people (9.7%) had faced DRP. The odds of DRP were 1.92 times higher (CI: 1.44-3.22) among individuals who had gambled slot machines compared to the those who had not gambled them in 2019, even when all the covariates were taken into account. 
Conclusions: Many people who gamble struggle not only with gambling problems but also with financial problems. This can cause great anxiety for both the gambler and their significant others. This is an important factor to acknowledge when developing and planning support and treatment options.