Understanding of the impacts of problem gambling upon different groups in society

We have studied the impacts of problem gambling upon children, men and women, older people and people from different cultural backgrounds. Amongst our more notable findings was the discovery of very high rates of problem gambling (4 to 5 times the population average) amongst specific cultural groups and the different patterns and consequences of problem gambling for men and women.

Our recent risk and protective factors study involving a community survey of 2012 Victorians has shown that problem gambling is associated with a range of psychological and behavioural problems.

We have found that:

• Those with problem gambling have a relative risk of 18.8 in having a “severe mental disorder” as defined by scores on the Kessler K10.
• Using the two item primary care depression screen a relative risk of 2.4 was found.
• The relative risk of hazardous alcohol use according to the WHO-AUDIT was found to be 4.3.
• Smoking daily was found to have a relative risk of 3.8 for the same problem gambling vs non-problem gambling groups.

Putting this in absolute terms

• 35.7% of problem gamblers have a “severe mental disorder” as defined by scores on the Kessler K10.
• The rate of “likely hazardous alcohol use” as measured by the WHO AUDIT in the problem gambler groups was 50 per cent.
• The rate of being categorised as being at risk of depression in the problem gambler group was 71.4 per cent.
• The rate of being categorised as a daily smoker in the problem gambler group was 57.1 per cent.

Problem gamblers have a high rate of significant psychological and behavioural problems.

Some of our relevant publications

• Thomas, S.A. & Yamine, R. (2000) The Impact of Gaming on Specific Cultural Groups, Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority, 153pp, (ISBN 0 7311 1603 8)
• Jackson, A.C., Patton, G., Thomas, S.A., Wyn, J., Wright, J., Bond, L., Crisp, B.R.,  & Ho, W. (2000) The Impacts of Gambling on Adolescents and Children, Melbourne: Victorian Department of Human Services. 92pp (ISBN 0 7311 6053 3)
• McCormack, J., Jackson, AC, & Thomas, SA (2003) ‘Gambling and Older People in Australia’ Australasian Journal on Ageing, 22, 3, 178-128.
• Crisp, B.R., Thomas, S.A., Jackson, A.C., & Thomason, N., (2004) ‘Not the Same: a Comparison of Female and Male Clients Seeking Treatment From Problem Gambling Counselling Services’, Journal of Gambling Studies, 20, 3, 283-299.