Samantha Wells

My name is Samantha Wells, and my work has always been rooted in one central question: how do environments shape human behavior?

I didn’t begin my career focusing exclusively on gambling. In fact, my early work was much broader, centered around public health and behavioral research. I was interested in understanding how people make decisions, how risk develops over time, and how different social and environmental factors influence everyday behavior.

Over time, one area kept appearing again and again—gambling.

Not as an isolated activity, but as something deeply connected to other behaviors, especially alcohol use and social interaction. It became clear to me that gambling could not be fully understood on its own. It had to be studied as part of a larger system.

That realization changed the direction of my work.

How My Perspective Began to Shift

In the early stages of my research, I approached behavior in a fairly traditional way. Like many researchers, I focused on individuals—their choices, their patterns, and their outcomes.

But as I spent more time analyzing real-world data, I began to notice something important.

People were not acting randomly.

Their behavior followed patterns that were strongly influenced by their surroundings. The same person might behave very differently depending on where they were, who they were with, and what was available to them.

This was especially visible in gambling environments.

For example, in spaces where alcohol was present, decision-making often changed. People took more risks, stayed longer than they planned, and were less aware of their spending. In quieter environments, behavior tended to be more controlled.

This wasn’t about personality—it was about context.

And once I saw that clearly, I could no longer think about gambling as just an individual issue.

Why I Focus on Environment

What continues to guide my work today is a simple idea: environment matters more than we often realize.

We tend to believe that decisions are purely personal, but in reality, they are shaped by subtle influences that operate in the background. Lighting, noise, accessibility, social presence—these elements all play a role.

In gambling settings, these factors become even more significant.

A space that encourages continuous play will lead to longer sessions. A space where alcohol is easily available will increase risk-taking. A system that makes access effortless will naturally increase engagement.

None of these outcomes are accidental.

They are the result of design.

This is why my research focuses so heavily on environmental factors. By understanding how these systems work, we can begin to understand why behavior changes the way it does.

My Work in Canada

Working in Canada has given me the opportunity to study gambling in a context where it is widely accessible but also carefully regulated.

This creates an interesting balance.

On one hand, gambling is normalized and available across different settings. On the other hand, there is a strong emphasis on public health and harm reduction. This makes Canada an important environment for studying how systems can be designed more responsibly.

A large part of my work has been connected to Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where I have collaborated with researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.

This collaboration has been essential.

It allows research to move beyond theory and into practice. Instead of simply observing behavior, we can contribute to strategies that aim to reduce harm and improve outcomes.

My Research Focus Areas and Impact

Understanding Gambling as Part of a System

One of the most important shifts in my work has been moving away from viewing gambling as a standalone issue.

It is not.

Gambling exists alongside other behaviors, particularly alcohol consumption. These two activities often occur in the same environments and influence each other in ways that are not always immediately visible.

For example, alcohol can reduce inhibition and increase risk-taking, which in turn affects how people gamble. This interaction creates a feedback loop that can amplify risk.

Understanding this relationship is critical.

It means that if we want to address gambling-related harm, we cannot focus on gambling alone. We have to consider the broader environment in which it occurs.

What Drives My Research Today

At this point in my career, my work is guided by a different kind of question.

Instead of asking why individuals develop problems, I focus on understanding the conditions that make those problems more likely.

This includes:

• how environments are designed
• how access is structured
• how different behaviors interact

By shifting the focus in this way, we can begin to identify points where intervention is possible.

And more importantly, where prevention can be effective.

Looking Ahead

Everything I’ve described so far forms the foundation of my work. But this is only one part of a much larger picture.

In the next part, I will go deeper into:

• how I study gambling and alcohol together
• what patterns I’ve observed over time
• and what these patterns reveal about risk and behavior

My Research on Gambling, Alcohol, and Risk (Part 2)

As my work evolved, I found myself returning again and again to one specific question: what actually changes human behavior in real environments?

It’s easy to study behavior in controlled conditions. It’s much harder—and much more important—to understand how people act in real-life settings, where multiple factors interact at the same time.

In my research, I began to focus more closely on the connection between gambling and alcohol. Not because they are always linked, but because when they do intersect, the effects are often significant.

How I Study Gambling and Alcohol Together

When I look at gambling behavior, I don’t isolate it from other influences. I examine how it interacts with the surrounding environment.

In many real-world settings—casinos, bars, entertainment venues—gambling does not exist alone. It is often accompanied by alcohol consumption, social interaction, and environmental stimuli.

Over time, I observed that these factors create a layered effect.

Alcohol, for example, can reduce inhibition. This doesn’t mean that people suddenly lose control, but it does mean that their decision-making becomes less cautious. Small risks feel more acceptable. Sessions tend to last longer. The perception of losses changes.

These effects are subtle, but consistent.

What interested me most was not just that behavior changes—but how predictably it changes under certain conditions.

Observed Risk Increase in Mixed Gambling Environments

What These Patterns Mean in Practice

Looking at these patterns over time, I began to understand that risk is not simply a personal trait—it is something that can increase or decrease depending on context.

The same individual may behave differently under different conditions. In a neutral environment, decisions tend to be more controlled. In environments where multiple stimuli are present, behavior becomes more dynamic and often less predictable.

This is why I focus so much on context.

If we want to understand gambling, we need to understand the conditions under which it occurs.

Why Environment and Accessibility Matter

Another important aspect of my work is accessibility.

When gambling is easy to access, engagement naturally increases. When it is combined with other activities—such as social drinking—it becomes part of a broader experience rather than a separate action.

This changes how people interact with it.

They are not necessarily making a deliberate decision to gamble more. Instead, they are responding to an environment that encourages continued participation.

That distinction is critical.

It shifts the focus from individual responsibility alone to shared responsibility between individuals and systems.

How My Research Approach Changed Over Time

Earlier in my career, I focused more on identifying risk groups—who is more likely to develop problematic behavior.

While that work remains important, my perspective has expanded.

Now, I focus more on identifying risk conditions.

This means looking at:

• when risk increases
• where it increases
• and under what combinations of factors

This approach allows for more effective prevention strategies.

Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, we can begin to design environments that reduce the likelihood of harm from the beginning.

The Role of Public Health in Gambling Research

Working within Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has reinforced the importance of viewing gambling through a public health lens.

This perspective changes the goal.

It is no longer just about understanding behavior—it is about improving outcomes.

Public health research asks:
How can we reduce harm across entire populations?

This requires looking beyond individual cases and focusing on patterns, systems, and long-term trends.

What I Continue to Explore

My work continues to evolve, but the core idea remains the same.

I am interested in how behavior is shaped—not just by individuals, but by the environments they are part of.

Gambling is one example of this, but the principles apply more broadly.

The more we understand these dynamics, the better we can design systems that support healthier decision-making.

What These Patterns Mean in Practice

Looking at these patterns over time, I began to understand that risk is not simply a personal trait—it is something that can increase or decrease depending on context.

The same individual may behave differently under different conditions. In a neutral environment, decisions tend to be more controlled. In environments where multiple stimuli are present, behavior becomes more dynamic and often less predictable.

This is why I focus so much on context.

If we want to understand gambling, we need to understand the conditions under which it occurs.

Why Environment and Accessibility Matter

Another important aspect of my work is accessibility.

When gambling is easy to access, engagement naturally increases. When it is combined with other activities—such as social drinking—it becomes part of a broader experience rather than a separate action.

This changes how people interact with it.

They are not necessarily making a deliberate decision to gamble more. Instead, they are responding to an environment that encourages continued participation.

That distinction is critical.

It shifts the focus from individual responsibility alone to shared responsibility between individuals and systems.

How My Research Approach Changed Over Time

Earlier in my career, I focused more on identifying risk groups—who is more likely to develop problematic behavior.

While that work remains important, my perspective has expanded.

Now, I focus more on identifying risk conditions.

This means looking at:

• when risk increases
• where it increases
• and under what combinations of factors

This approach allows for more effective prevention strategies.

Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, we can begin to design environments that reduce the likelihood of harm from the beginning.

The Role of Public Health in Gambling Research

Working within Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has reinforced the importance of viewing gambling through a public health lens.

This perspective changes the goal.

It is no longer just about understanding behavior—it is about improving outcomes.

Public health research asks:
How can we reduce harm across entire populations?

This requires looking beyond individual cases and focusing on patterns, systems, and long-term trends.

What I Continue to Explore

My work continues to evolve, but the core idea remains the same.

I am interested in how behavior is shaped—not just by individuals, but by the environments they are part of.

Gambling is one example of this, but the principles apply more broadly.

The more we understand these dynamics, the better we can design systems that support healthier decision-making.

My Career Path, Institutions, and Professional Focus

As my research developed over time, I began to see my career not as a series of separate roles, but as a continuous path shaped by one central idea: understanding how systems influence behavior.

Looking back, each step I took—every institution I worked with, every project I contributed to—built on that same foundation. I wasn’t moving between unrelated topics. I was gradually expanding the scope of my work, connecting individual behavior to broader public health systems.

How My Career Took Shape

In the early stages of my career, my work was more focused on general public health research. I was interested in patterns—how behaviors emerge, how they evolve, and how they differ across populations.

At that time, my focus was not yet specifically on gambling.

But over time, I began to notice that gambling repeatedly appeared in the data, often alongside other behaviors such as alcohol use. It became clear that this was not a coincidence. These behaviors were connected, and understanding one required understanding the other.

This realization gradually shifted my focus.

Instead of studying isolated behaviors, I began studying how different behaviors interact within real environments.

My Work at CAMH

A defining part of my professional journey has been my work with Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

At CAMH, I had the opportunity to work in an environment where research, clinical practice, and policy intersect. This is important, because it allows research to have a direct impact.

I wasn’t just analyzing data—I was contributing to a larger system that aims to improve public health outcomes.

Over time, my role evolved. I became more involved in leading projects, shaping research directions, and collaborating with experts from different disciplines.

What I value most about this experience is the ability to see how research translates into action.

Collaboration Across Institutions

While CAMH has been central to my work, collaboration has always been a key part of what I do.

Research in this field cannot exist in isolation.

I have worked alongside:

• public health organizations
• research networks
• academic institutions

These collaborations allow for a broader perspective. They also ensure that findings are not limited to one dataset or one environment.

Instead, they can be applied across different contexts.

This is especially important when studying gambling, as behavior can vary significantly depending on location, accessibility, and regulation.

My Career and Institutional Work

How My Work Connects Across Systems

One of the most important realizations in my career has been that research does not exist in isolation.

Each study, each dataset, each collaboration contributes to a larger understanding.

I began to see my work as part of a system that connects:

• individual behavior
• environmental design
• public policy

This perspective changed how I approached research.

Instead of focusing on isolated findings, I started looking for patterns that could be applied more broadly.

From Research to Application

Over time, I became more involved in the practical side of research.

This includes working with organizations that use research findings to shape policies and strategies.

In Canada, this is especially important. Gambling is widely accessible, and understanding how to manage risk at a population level requires collaboration between researchers and decision-makers.

Being part of that process has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.

How My Work Connects Across Systems

One of the most important realizations in my career has been that research does not exist in isolation.

Each study, each dataset, each collaboration contributes to a larger understanding.

I began to see my work as part of a system that connects:

• individual behavior
• environmental design
• public policy

This perspective changed how I approached research.

Instead of focusing on isolated findings, I started looking for patterns that could be applied more broadly.

From Research to Application

Over time, I became more involved in the practical side of research.

This includes working with organizations that use research findings to shape policies and strategies.

In Canada, this is especially important. Gambling is widely accessible, and understanding how to manage risk at a population level requires collaboration between researchers and decision-makers.

As I reflect on my work over the years, I see it less as a collection of individual studies and more as an evolving attempt to understand how systems shape human behavior.

Gambling has been a central part of that journey, but it is not the only focus. It is one example of how environments, accessibility, and social context interact to influence decision-making.

What continues to interest me is not just what people do, but why they do it under certain conditions.

From Research to Real-World Impact

One of the most meaningful aspects of my work has been seeing how research moves beyond theory.

When I first began studying these topics, my focus was primarily on analysis—understanding patterns, identifying risks, and interpreting data. Over time, however, I became more involved in how this knowledge is applied.

In Canada, research plays an important role in shaping public health strategies. Findings are used to inform policy decisions, guide prevention programs, and influence how environments are structured.

This is where research becomes truly valuable.

It is not just about understanding behavior—it is about improving outcomes.

For example, insights into how alcohol influences gambling behavior have contributed to discussions about how gambling venues should operate. Similarly, research on accessibility has informed how gambling opportunities are distributed across different regions.

These applications are not always visible, but they have a lasting impact.

Why a Public Health Perspective Matters

Over time, I have come to believe that gambling must be understood through a public health lens.

This perspective changes the way we think about the issue.

Instead of focusing solely on individuals, we consider populations. Instead of reacting to problems, we look for ways to prevent them. Instead of assigning blame, we examine systems.

This approach allows for more balanced solutions.

Gambling is a form of entertainment for many people, and that should not be overlooked. At the same time, it carries risks that need to be understood and managed.

Public health research provides a framework for doing both.

Environmental Impact on Gambling Behavior

How My Research Applies in Practice

What I Have Learned Over Time

If there is one thing my work has taught me, it is that behavior is not isolated.

It is shaped continuously by context.

People respond to what surrounds them—sometimes consciously, often not. The environments we create influence the decisions we make, and those decisions accumulate over time.

Understanding this allows us to move beyond simple explanations.

It allows us to design better systems.

If I had to summarize my perspective in a single idea, it would be this:

Gambling is not just an activity—it is part of a larger behavioral system.

And if we want to understand it, we have to understand that system.

This means looking at:

• environments
• accessibility
• social interaction
• and long-term patterns

Only then can we begin to create solutions that are both effective and sustainable.

My work continues to evolve, but the goal remains the same.

To bring clarity to complex behavior.

And to use that clarity to support better outcomes—not just for individuals, but for society as a whole.