Recorded presentation

Rani A Desai, PhD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, NEPEC/182, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, 203-932-5711 x.3615, desai@biomed.med.yale.edu

There is an abundance of evidence for a significant correlation between problem/pathological gambling and mental health problems, however, there is little known about the mental health correlates of recreational gambling. We present data from the Gambling Impact and Behavior Study, a national telephone survey of the U.S. population on their gambling behaviors and related health information (n=2,362), on three groups: past-year recreational gamblers (n=1,486), prior gamblers (i.e. a history of gambling more than one year prior, n=528), and non-gamblers (n=348). These data will show that past-year gamblers were more likely to report lifetime depression (OR=1.53, p<0.01), alcohol use (OR=4.06, p<0.0001), alcohol abuse/dependence (OR=3.25, p<0.01), and any substance abuse/dependence (OR=3.85, p<0.0001) when compared to non-gamblers. Prior gamblers were also more likely to report lifetime depression (OR=1.53, p<0.05), alcohol use (OR=2.10, p<0.0001), alcohol abuse/dependence (OR=3.40, p<0.01), and any substance abuse/dependence (OR=3.04, p<0.05) when compared to non-gamblers. There were no significant differences across gambling groups in whether mental health treatment was sought in the previous year. In addition, those past-year gamblers who reported both casino and non-casino gambling were less likely to report drug use (OR=0.47, p<0.05), but more likely to report alcohol use (OR=1.29, p<0.05) or alcohol abuse/dependence (OR=1.55, p<0.05) when compared to those who engaged exclusively in non-casino gambling. These data strongly suggest that there may be clinically important mental health correlates of recreational gambling. Further research is needed on the public health impact of gambling behavior, as well as the impact of the further expansion of gambling opportunities, particularly casinos.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify mental health problems associated with recreational gambling;
• To understand the difference bewteen recreational and problem gambling; and
• To understand the possible mechanisms underlying the health effects of gambling.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation