Gambling, drinking, smoking and other health risk activities among casino employees

Background This study examined the prevalence of level 3 (pathological) gam bling and a variety of other health risks among casino employees. Methods A sample of 3841 full-time casino employees representing four geogr aphic sites was surveyed about gambling, drinking, smoking, and other healt h risk behaviors. In addition, respondents were asked about their use of th e employee assistance program (EAP) and perceived obstacles towards using t he EAP. Results This study found that casino employees have a higher-prevalence of past-year level 3 (pathological) gambling behavior than the general adult p opulation, but a lower prevalence of past-year level 2 (problem) gambling t han the general adult population. In addition. casino employees have higher prevalence of smoking, alcohol problems, and depression than the general a dult population. Furthermore, these risk behaviors tend to cluster The majo rity of non-smoking respondents in this sample were exposed to secondhand s moke. Employees reported low participation in the company's EAP. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that casino management should consider (1) improving problem gambling screening for employees who visit EAPs, even if employees present other problems (e.g., alcohol problems) as their primary concern, (2) increasing employees' awareness of EAPs, (3) inc reasing health promotion and education through channels other than company EAPs, and (4) creating smoke-free working areas. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:365-37 8, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.