Research addressing Pathological Gambling

Pathological Gambling Prevalence Rates Are Low

 According to a national study conducted for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, lifetime pathological gamblers “comprise 0.8 percent of the adult population.” [1] Comparing this figure to the lifetime figures for alcohol dependence (13.8%), drug dependence (6.2%) and major depression (6.4%) reveals that pathological gambling is a relatively minor public health concern.

 Lifetime figures for major public health issues [2]  

Pathological Gambling	0.8%
Drug Dependence	6.2%
Major Depression	6.4%
Alcohol Dependence	13.8%

 What is the Effect of Legalization on Past Year Gambling Prevalence Rates?

 

The proportion of adults in the United States who have gambled in the past year has increased very little since 1975, despite legalization of many forms of gambling in many states during this period. In a 1975 national study of gambling behavior, 61% of respondents had gambled in the past year. [4] In 1998, 63% had gambled in the past year.

 What is the Effect of Legalization on Lifetime Gambling Prevalence Rates?

 In 1975, the percentage of people who had tried gambling at some points in their lives was 68%. In 1998, the percentage of lifetime gambling was 86%. Taken together, the lifetime and past year rates indicate that while people are experimenting with gambling, this experimentation has not turned people into habitual or problem gamblers.

 Is there a relationship between the Type of Gambling Venue and Pathological Gambling?

 The NGISC was particularly interested in whether or not there were differences between gambling venues since they were concerned with identifying which venues could be  considered most tempting or dangerous.  The NORC divided their research into the RDD research and the patron research. When interviewed at gaming venues, gamblers did exhibit different scores on the NODS.  

Percentage of Pathological Gamblers Based on NODS Lifetime Score,
by Gambling Venue-Patron Data Only  

VLT Locations	3.3%
Tribal Casinos	4.5%
Nevada/Atlantic City Casinos	5.4%
Lottery Outlets	5.5%
Riverboats	10.9%
Pari-mutuel	25%

The Issue of Co-morbidity: Gambling is not a Problem but a Symptom

The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling alerts analysts to the possibility that pathological gambling may be a symptom of a bipolar mood disorder. NORC applied the APA diagnostic criteria to its national random sample and also tested for various psychological problems, including evidence of mania and depression. The survey revealed that as many as 40% of past-year pathological gamblers reported symptoms associated with manic disorder at some time in their lives, and 20 percent reported signs of a major depressive episode at some time in their lives. [5] This finding suggests that much of the behavior thought of as compulsive gambling may be only a reflection of an underlying mood disorder.

 In short, “there is no solid basis for concluding that the wider legalization of gambling…has caused a concomitant increase in pathological gambling. In fact, it appears that pathological gambling is quite rare within the general population, it does not appear to be increasing in frequency…and much of what has been thought to be pathological gambling may stem from other emotional problems.” [6]