Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: A research synthesis

Objectives. This study developed prevalence estimates of gambling-related d isorders in the United States and Canada, identified differences in prevale nce among population segments, and identified changes in prevalence over th e past 20 years. Methods. A meta-analytic strategy was employed to synthesize estimates from 119 prevalence studies. This method produced more reliable prevalence rate s than were available from any single study. Results. Prevalence estimates among samples of adolescents were significant ly higher than estimates among samples of adults for both clinical (level 3 ) and subclinical (level 2) measures of disordered gambling within both lif etime and past-year time frames (e.g., 3.9% vs 1.6% for lifetime estimates of level 3 gambling). Among adults, prevalence estimates of disordered gamb ling have increased significantly during the past 20 years. Conclusions. Membership in youth, treatment, or prison population segments is significantly associated with experiencing gambling-related disorders. U nderstanding subclinical gamblers provides a meaningful opportunity to lowe r the public health burden associated with gambling disorders. Further rese arch is necessary to determine whether the prevalence of disordered gamblin g will continue to increase among the general adult population and how prev alence among adolescents will change as this cahort ages.