Gender, age, ethnic and occupational associations with pathological gambling in a New Zealand Urban sample

Abstract

Demographic associations with pathological gambling are usually based on findings with population samples which include less serious problem gamblers. The present study examined the relative contribution of risk factors for pathological gambling in selected ethnic groups. A questionnaire which included the DSM-IV-TR symptoms of pathological gambling was completed by 345 South Auckland adults. Approximately 92% gambled and 38% of the gamblers met the criterion of at least five symptoms for current probable pathological gambling. Ethnicity and the interaction between gender and ethnicity were significant predictors of pathological gambling, after controlling for regular gambling, number of favourite continuous gambling activities, gender, age and occupation. Males and females were equivalently at high risk in New Zealand European and Maori groups, but not in the Pacific or Asian groups where males were at greater risk. The findings should be treated with caution owing to the non-representative nature of the sample. They suggest, however, that further research, including prospective investigation, is warranted to advance understanding of the development of problem gambling in different ethnic groups.