Prevalence and Trends in Problem Gambling in Denmark with Special Focus on Country of Origin: Results from the Danish Health and Morbidity Surveys.

Abstract

Belonging to an ethnic minority has been described as a possible risk factor for problem gambling, but the literature is inconclusive whether this association is true or just a proxy for other underlying risk factors. Hence, the aims were to investigate: (1) past year prevalence of problem gambling in the adult Danish population and trends since 2005, (2) past year prevalence of problem gambling in 2017 and trends since 2010 by country of origin, and (3) whether a marginalisation by country of origin or problem gambling, respectively, is seen in various health-related indicators. Data were derived from the Danish Health and Morbidity Surveys in 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2017. The Lie/Bet Questionnaire was used to define problem gamblers. The overall prevalence of past year problem gambling has increased slightly from 2005 (1.0%) to 2017 (1.5%), but a more alarming increase was observed among men with non-western origin (3.1% in 2010 and 7.0% in 2017). A lower prevalence of good self-rated health and a higher prevalence of poor mental health was observed among individuals with a non-western origin compared to those with a Danish origin, although the differences became smaller between 2010 and 2017. The findings indicate a slightly increase in the prevalence of past year problem gambling and that particular attention should be paid to individuals with a non-western origin. The study also highlights the need for better differentiation of risk factors that may variously predispose different ethnic groups to develop gambling problems.