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Friday 19 April 2024

Peer Reviewed

Psychological medicine

Dealing with the problem gambler

Clive Allcock

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Gambling disorders: help for patients and families

Dealing with the problem gambler

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Abstract

Roughly 0.5% of the adult population will have a serious problem with gambling, and 0.8% will have some difficulties in their life caused by gambling. These estimates may be conservative.

Key Points

Remember

Gambling is a normal recreational activity for many Australians.
Approximately 40% of the adult population gamble weekly, 20% monthly, 20% less often, and 20% not at all.
Many people do not regard Lotto or lotteries as gambling, but they are. Gambling can be defined as any exchange of property (usually money) on the outcome of an event usually determined solely, or predominantly, by chance.
Gambling is divided into gaming (e.g. playing poker machines) and wagering (e.g. betting on horse racing).