Updating and refining prevalence estimates of disordered gambling behaviour in the United States and Canada

Background: This study updates prevalence estimates of gambling-related dis orders in the United States and Canada, identifies differences in prevalenc e estimates among population segments, and identifies changes in prevalence over the past 25 years., Method: A meta-analytic strategy guided the synthesis of 180 estimates deri ved from 146 prevalence studies. Results: Prevalence estimates among adolescent samples were significantly h igher than estimates among adult samples for both clinical (level 3) and su b-clinical (level 2) measures of disordered gambling within both lifetime a nd past-year Wille frames. Among adults, level 3 prevalence estimates conti nue to increase significantly. Conclusion, Membership in youth, treatment, and prison population segments is significantly associated with experiencing gambling-related disorders. U nderstanding sub-clinical gamblers provides a meaningful opportunity to low er the public health burden associated with gambling disorders. Prospective studies of incidence are necessary to determine whether the prevalence of disordered gambling continues to increase among the adult general populatio n and how adolescent gambling experiences change as this cohort ages.