Risking more than just money: problem gambling in New Zealand

Abstract

Problem gambling is a public health issue, which adversely affects a small proportion of the population. Excessive gambling can lead to negative consequences which impacts on the life of the gambler, as well as those around them. The more severe case of problem gambling is called pathological gambling. This study investigates the prevalence of current problem and probable pathological gambling in New Zealand, by analysing the results of the New Zealand Health Survey 2002/03 (NZHS 2002/03), funded by the Ministry of Health. A ten question gambling screen was developed for the purposes of this survey, to estimate the prevalence rates of problem gambling. As this is a new screen, it is not known how the prevalence rates of problem gambling found in this study compare to those of previous studies. Statistical analysis was used to estimate the prevalence rate of problem gambling for the population and demographic subgroups. Logistic regression analysis was then used to investigate risk factors for problem gambling, and health effects associated with problem gambling. Using the NZHS 2002/03 Gambling Screen, the survey results show that 1.0% (0.8-1.2) of the adult population in New Zealand are current probable pathological gamblers. The rate of current problem and probable pathological gambling is 1.2% (1.0-1.5), which represents approximately 32,800 people in the New Zealand population. Risk factors for problem gambling include being of Maori or Pacific Island ethnicity, being aged 25-34, living alone and being employed. There was an association between problem gambling and hazardous drinking behaviour, as well as cigarette smoking and having tried marijuana. Problem gambling was also found to be associated with worse self-rated health, as measured on several of the SF-36 scales.