Problem and probable pathological gambling: Considerations from a community survey

Objective: To investigate the nature and extent of gambling problems in a r egion of Canada in which legalized gambling activities were expanded during the 1990s. Method: A standardized telephone interview was conducted with a random samp le of 738 community-dwelling adults (response rate 74%) in Winnipeg, Manito ba. Results: According to traditional classification criteria, the lifetime pre valence of "probable pathological gambling " was 2.6%. A further 3.0% of th e sample met criteria for traditionally defined "problem gambling, " and ev idence suggests that both types of gamblers share several characteristics. Social or recreational gamblers significantly differed on several variables from individuals who reported gambling problems. Conclusions: The 2.6% prevalence figure is the highest yet reported in a Ca nadian epidemiological survey and was obtained in a region that developed a more liberal attitude toward gambling in the 1990s. Further, a continuum o f severity was demonstrated by scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SO GS), and a clear and consistent distinction between problem and probable pa thological gambling was not apparent. Frequenting casinos and using video p oker and slot machines, rather than buying lottery tickets, distinguishes p roblem or pathological gamblers from recreational gamblers.