Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling: A critical analysis

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Prevalence of pathological gambling refers to the percentage of cases of pathological gambling occurring in the community at a given time. Prevalence studies conducted in different principalities throughout the world are reviewed, and it is found that none of them conforms to this definition of prevalence. The major error in all but the most recent surveys conducted is identified as the use of questions which ask whether gambling-related problems have ever occurred rather than whether they are currently occurring. This error will lead to an over-estimation of the prevalence of pathological gambling in society. The second major error identified in nearly all studies involves the accuracy of the screens being used to assess whether or not an individual is a pathological gambler. Concerns about the efficiency of the South Oaks Gambling Screen have not yet been satisfactorily resolved. None-the-less, the widespread use of the South Oaks Gambling Screen has made a valuable contribution to international comparisons of prevalence studies. Future work that explores the emerging relationship between levels of personal expenditure on gambling, types of gambling product and gambling-related problems are recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott, M.W. & Volberg, R.A. (1991).Gambling and problem gambling in New Zealand. Research Series No 12. Wellington: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abbott, M.W. & Volberg, R.A. (1992).Frequent gamblers and problem gamblers in New Zealand. Research Series No 14. Wellington: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allcock, C. (1994, May–June).Cognitions in problem gambling. Paper presented at the Ninth International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Las Vegas.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1994).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • (Beco¯na, E. 91993). The prevalence of pathological gambling in Galicia (Spain).Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 353–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beco¯na, E. (1996). Prevalence surveys of problem and pathological gambling in Europe: The cases of Germany, Holland and Spain.Journal of Gambling Studies (this issue).

  • Bennett, P. (1993).Australian Gambling Statistics 1972–73 to 1991–92. Hobart: Tasmanian Gaming Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, D.W., Goldstein, R.B., Noyes, R. & Blum, N. (1994). Compulsive behaviors and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): Lack of relationship between OCD, eating disorders and gambling.Comprehensive Psychiatry, 35, 145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bland, R.C., Newman, S.C., Orn, H. & Stebelsky, G. (1993). Epidemiology of pathological gambling in Edmonton.Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 38, 108–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A.P. (1988).Clinical studies in pathological gambling: Is controlled gambling an acceptable treatment outcome? Thesis submitted for the Doctor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, E.M. (1993). Income 1992 gross annual wager of the U.S. Part 1: Handle.Gaming and Wagering Business, 14, 12–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corless, T. & Dickerson, M.G. (1989). Gamblers' self-perceptions of the determinants of impaired control.British Journal of Addictions, 84, 1527–1537.

    Google Scholar 

  • Culleton, R.P. (1989). The prevalence rates of pathological gambling: a look at methods.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 5, 22–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Custer, R.L. & H. Milt. (1985).When luck runs out. New York: Warner Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M.G. (1993). A preliminary exploration of a two-stage methodology in the assessment of the extent and degree of gambling related problems in the Australian population. In W.R. Eadington & J.A. Cornelius (Eds.),Gambling behavior and problem gambling (pp. 347–364). Reno: Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M.G. & Hinchy, J. (1988). The prevalence of excessive and pathological gambling in Australia.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 135–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M.G., Baron, E. & O'Connor, J. (1994).A baseline study of the extent and impact of gambling in Tasmania with particular reference to problem gambling. Report to Western Australian Government. Sydney: Australian Institute for Gambling Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson, M.G., Baron, E., Hong, S.M. & Cottrell, D. (1996). Estimating the extent and degree of gambling-related problems in the Australian population: A national survey.Journal of Gambling Studies (this volume).

  • Dickerson, M.G., Boreham, P., Harley, W., Baxter, P. & Williams, J. (1995).Report of the first year of the study into the social and economic impact of the introduction of gambling machines to Queensland clubs and hotels. Report to Queensland Government. Sydney: Australian Institute for Gambling Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haig, B. (1985). Expenditure on legal gambling. In G. Caldwell, B. Haig, M.G. Dickerson & L. Sylvan (Eds.),Gambling in Australia (pp. 71–77). Sydney: Croom Helm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R. (1993). Prevalence estimates of pathological gamblers in Québec, Canada. In W.R. Eadington & J.A. Cornelius (Eds.),Gambling behavior and problem gambling (pp. 379–386). Reno: Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R. & Mireault, C. (1988). Gambling behaviors among high school students in the Quebec area.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 4, 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Legarda, J.J., Babio, R. & Abreau, J.M. (1992). Prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in Seville (Spain).British Journal of Addictions, 87, 767–770.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R. (1979). The compulsive gambler's spiral of options and involvement.Psychiatry, 42, 79–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R. (1994). Epidemiological surveys of pathological gambling: Critique and suggestions for modification.Journal of Gambling Studies, 10, 385–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H.R. & Blume, S.B. (1987). The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A new instrument for the identification of pathological gamblers.American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 1184–1188.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan, G.E. (1985). People and gambling. In G. Caldwell, B. Haig, M.G. Dickerson & L. Sylvan (Eds.),Gambling in Australia. Sydney: Croom Helm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maze, J. (1987). Lady Luck is gambler's mother. In M.B. Walker (Ed.),Faces of gambling (pp. 209–214). Sydney: National Association for Gambling Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orford, J. (1985).Excessive appetites: A psychological view of addictions. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Politzer, R.M., Morrow, J.S. & Leavey, S.B. (1981).Report on the cost-benefit/effectiveness of treatment. Paper presented at the Fifth Annual Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking.

  • Volberg, R.A. (1993). Estimating the prevalence of pathological gambling in the United States. In W.R. Eadington & J.A. Cornelius (Eds.),Gambling behavior and problem gambling (pp. 365–378). Reno: Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R.A. & Banks, S.M. (1990). A review of two measures of pathological gambling in the United States.Journal of Gambling Behavior, 6, 153–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R.A. & Banks, S.M. (1994, May–June).A new approach to understanding gambling and problem gambling in the general population. Paper presented at the Ninth International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking. Las Vegas, NV.

  • Volberg, R.A. & Steadman, H.J. (1988). Refining prevalence estimates of pathological gambling.American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 502–505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R.A. & Steadman, H.J. (1989). Prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in New Jersey and Maryland.American Journal of Psychiatry, 146: 1618–1619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volberg, R.A. & Stuefen, R.M. (1993).Gambling and problem gambling in South Dakota. Report to the Governor's Office of South Dakota.

  • Walker, M.B. (1992).The psychology of gambling. Oxford: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M.B. (1994, May–June).A critique of the measures and methods used in prevalence studies of pathological gambling. Paper presented at the Ninth International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking. Las Vegas, NV.

  • Winters, K.C., Stinchfield, R.D. & Fulkerson, J. (1993). Patterns and characteristics of adolescent gambling.Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 371–386.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael B. Walker

  2. Australian Institute for Gambling Research, University of Western Sydney, Macarthur, Sydney, Australia

    Mark G. Dickerson

Authors
  1. Michael B. Walker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mark G. Dickerson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Walker, M.B., Dickerson, M.G. The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling: A critical analysis. J Gambling Stud 12, 233–249 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01539176

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01539176

Keywords

Search

Navigation