Gambling history is common among homeless people in Toronto

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/smh-ghi052114.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 21-May-2014
Contact: Geoff Koehler
t. Michael's Hospital
Gambling history is common among homeless people in Toronto, new study

TORONTO, May 21, 2014 – Homeless clients using services at Toronto's Good Shepherd Ministries are nearly nine times more likely to have a history of problem or pathological gambling than the general population, a new study from St. Michael's Hospital has found.

"Intuitively, one might think there's a connection between problem gambling and homelessness but very few studies have explored this in any depth.," said Dr. Flora Matheson, a research scientist with St. Michael's Centre for Research on Inner City Health. "By doing this kind of research, we help community organizations to better understand their clients and provide more holistic, effective treatment."

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