The development of problem gambling is complex and involves a set of interrelating factors, causes, and determinants. These range from biology and family history to social norms and existing statutes.1 Approximately 2% of the adult population in Massachusetts experiences problem gambling.
Problem gambling also has a high co-morbidity with substance misuse and mental health conditions, and it is associated with poor health and suicide.2
According to research, youth who experience the onset of gambling at an earlier age are associated with a greater severity of problem gambling behaviors later in life.3 In Massachusetts, 50% of high school youth and 45% of middle school youth reported gambling in their lifetimes.4
1. Messerlian C, Derevensky J, Gupta R. Youth gambling problems: a public health perspective. Health Promot Int. 2005 Mar;20(1):69-79.
2. Volberg, R. A., Williams, R. J., Stanek, E. J., Houpt, K. A., Zorn, M., & Rodriguez-Monguio, R. (2015). Gambling and Problem Gambling in Massachusetts: Results of a Baseline Population Survey. Amherst, MA: School of Public Health and Health Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
3. Rahman, A. S., Pilver, C. E., Desai, R. A., Steinberg, M. A., Rugle, L., Krishnan-Sarin, S., & Potenza, M. N. (2012, May). The relationship between age of gambling onset and adolescent problematic gambling severity. Journal of Psychiatry Research, 46(5), 675–683. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22410208
4. Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (2017) https://www.mass.gov/doc/health-and-risk-behaviors-of-massachusetts-youth-2017
A person’s propensity to develop a gambling-related problem is the result of the interplay of these five levels.5
PUBLIC POLICY LEVEL » Local, state, and federal policies and laws that regulate, support, or constrain health actions on restrictions, enforcement, and practices
INTERPERSONAL LEVEL » Social networks and support systems: family members and peers that provide social identity, support, and role definition
PUBLIC POLICY LEVEL » Local, state, and federal policies and laws that regulate, support, or constrain health actions on restrictions, enforcement, and practices
INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL » Social institutions with formal and informal rules, regulations, and policies that constrain or promote behavior
INTERPERSONAL LEVEL » Social networks and support systems: family members and peers that provide social identity, support, and role definition
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL » Individual characteristics: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, skills and personality traits
5. Messerlian C, Derevensky J, Gupta R. Youth gambling problems: a public health perspective. Health Promot Int. 2005 Mar;20(1):69-79.
Gambling behavior occurs across a continuum. It starts with no gambling and ends with severe problem gambling.
No engagement or participation in any form of gambling.
No engagement or participation in any form of gambling.
Gambling that occurs for fun and/or recreation. Generally, this gambling does not result in negative impact on the person’s life.
Gambling that occurs for fun and/or recreation. Generally, this gambling does not result in negative impact on the person’s life.
Gambling that can include a range of behaviors that may pose a risk of physical or emotional harm.
Gambling that can include a range of behaviors that may pose a risk of physical or emotional harm.
Gambling that results in a negative impact on the person’s life or on the lives of the person’s family, friends, and/or co-workers. It can be an occasional impact or an ongoing and serious situation.
Gambling that results in a negative impact on the person’s life or on the lives of the person’s family, friends, and/or co-workers. It can be an occasional impact or an ongoing and serious situation.
Problem gambling that is diagnosed by a mental health professional using criteria from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
Problem gambling that is diagnosed by a mental health professional using criteria from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
6. SEIGMA Research Team. (2018, September). Social and economic impacts of expanded gambling in Massachusetts: 2018. University of Massachusetts Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences. https://donahue.umass.edu/documents/2018_SOCIOECONOMIC_IMPACTS_2018-10-03.pdf; Jazaeri, S. A., & Habil, M. H. (2012). Reviewing two types of addiction – Pathological gambling and substance use. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(1), 5–11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3361844/
Some groups of people are at greater risk for developing a gambling problem. These include the following:
To minimize the risk of problem gambling, effective prevention initiatives need to build and strengthen community protective factors and address risk factors. These initiatives are especially important for those populations at greatest risk.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing problems with gambling and need support, call or visit gamblinghelplinema.org to speak with a trained specialist. Specialists are available 24/7. Services are free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
Funded by Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services
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