Probable Pathological Gamblers Research Articles

Moderating effect of alexithymia between problem gambling and psychotic experiences in university students

BackgroundMost of the young individuals with problem gambling (PG) or psychotic experiences (PEs) are less prone to seek medical help. Therefore, community-based studies investigating the relationship between these entities in non-clinical young people across a continuum of severity are warranted. To this end, the present study proposes to advance knowledge on the mechanisms that potentially underlie the association between PG and PEs, by examining the role of a potential moderator, i.e. alexithymia, in this relationship.MethodsA total of 399 participants enrolled in this study (mean age = 21.58 ± 3.20 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B), and the Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) were used.ResultsThirty-three (8.3%) participants had problem-gambling, whereas 13 (3.3%) were probable pathological gamblers. Moderation analysis results adjusted over confounders (age, household crowding index, marital status, personal history of mental disorder, other illegal drug use) showed that the interaction PG by alexithymia (p = .018) was significantly associated with PEs scores. At moderate (Beta = 1.93) and high (Beta = 3.38) levels of alexithymia, more PG was significantly associated with more PEs scores.ConclusionFindings suggest that GP may have a different impact on PEs depending on the individual’s level of alexithymia. As such, both alexithymia and gambling behavior should be considered in the clinical assessment of young people who present with PEs, which can help in implementing more tailored and individualized treatment plans.

Gambling Disorder among Porto's University Students.

Gambling disorder is an emerging problem among young adults and must be researched to provide the necessary support. This study aims to characterise gambling disorders in Porto's university students. A cross-sectional study distributed an online questionnaire to Porto's university students. The authors developed a self-administered questionnaire that included the South Oaks Gambling Screen questionnaire-Portuguese Version (SOGS-PV). A total of 1123 responses were included. The participants' average age was 22.4 years (SD = 6.2), and 60.9% were women. Gambling activities were performed by 66.4% of the students, most commonly online or video games, "scratch card" games, skill games, lotteries, and sports bets. The final scores of the SOGS-PV suggested 19.7% (95% CI: 17.4-22.0) of students may have a gambling disorder, with 16.6% (95% CI: 14.4-18.8) being "probable pathological gamblers" and 3.1% (95% CI: 2.1-4.1) being "problem gamblers". Gambling in the stocks/commodities market/virtual coins, sports bets, playing cards for money, and the numbers or betting on lotteries presents a higher risk of gambling disorder. The age (OR: 0.953; 95% CI: 0.922-0.986), being male (OR: 2.756; 95% CI: 1.899-4.000), the highest daily gambling amount (OR: 3.938; 95% CI: 2.580-6.012), the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (OR: 0.129; 95% CI: 0.087-0.191), a mother with gambling disorder (OR: 5.284; 95% CI: 1.038-26.902), the personal services education area (OR: 2.858; 95% CI: 1.179-6.929), and the linguistics education area (OR: 2.984; 95% CI: 1.538-5.788) stand out as contributing factors to the development of this disorder. This study reveals a high level of possible gambling disorder among university students and emphasises the importance of this problem in the academic community. Physician awareness and prevention programmes are needed in this population.

Pattern and Prevalence of Internet Gambling Behaviors among Bet9ja users in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria

Background: Nigeria has seen an unparallel surge in the number and sophistication of gambling activities taking place on a daily basis. The scope of the gambling investigation has expanded to include online lotteries, promotions, pool betting, sports betting, and casino slots. Nigeria leads the African continent in the number of Internet gamblers. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among Bet9ja users in the Sokoto metropolis. The participants were selected using a cluster sampling technique. The biodata and South Oak Gambling Screening questionnaire were administered. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for Windows and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 390 participants were studied, the majority were single males, between the ages of 18 and 39 years, with a mean age and standard deviation of 28.5 ± 7.3 years. We found 4 (1%) of the respondents to be highly skilled (social class I) workers, while the semi-skilled (social class IV) workers amounted to 155 (39.7%) of the participants, and 61 (15.6%) were unemployed. Seventy-five percentage of the participants were probable pathological gamblers, with 263 (89.5%) being males and 31 (10.5%) females. Furthermore, 96 (24.6%) of the participants were nonpathological gamblers, among whom, 77 (80.2%) were males, while 19 (19.8%) were females and this was statistically significant, P = 0.019. Conclusion: Single males and young adults were likely to experience pathological Internet gambling, many of whom were semi-skilled. We also found that the male gender was significantly associated with probable pathological Internet gambling.

Problem Gambling Poker Players: Do They Fit into Blaszczynski and Nower's Pathways Model?

Blaszczynski and Nower's (Addiction 97:487-499, 2002) Pathways Model, an integrative model based on problem gamblers' paths and comorbidities, aids in understanding the heterogeneity of problem gamblers' profiles by classifying them into three subgroups. The profiles of problem gamblers may be linked to the type of gambling practiced. Poker is a popular game, primarily due to the involvement of both chance and strategy in its outcome. However, no study has attempted to fit poker players into the Pathways Model. We recruited an online sample of 245 regular poker players (including 146 non-problem gamblers, 83 problem-gambling poker players, and 16 probable pathological gamblers). We assessed multiple variables (impulsivity, sensation seeking, alcohol and tobacco consumption, anxiety, depression, cognitive distortions) from the Pathways Model to determine whether the profiles of poker players fit into one or more gambler subgroups. Cluster analysis showed that poker players had a unique profile with a gambling practice intensity gradient. Compared to non-problem gamblers, problem gamblers displayed significantly higher levels of depression, impulsivity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, and alcohol consumption. Our results suggest that problem-gambling poker players fit into Blaszczynski and Nower's behaviorally conditioned gamblersgroup. This study opens avenues for both research into and treatment for problem gambling among poker players.

Gambling problems among Lebanese adults: Arabic-Language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) scale validation and correlates

BackgroundIn the DSM-5, gambling disorder is recognized as the only behavioral addiction. The number of people with mental health disorders is increasing in Lebanon, especially since the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the most used tool in the world in terms of pathological gambling, has never been translated to Arabic, culturally adapted in a way that suits the Lebanese population and validated. This study’s objectives were to validate an Arabic-language version of the SOGS and assess factors associated with probable pathological gambling among Lebanese adults.MethodsThis study was carried out between February and April 2021, during the lockdown period imposed by the Lebanese government. A total of 601 individuals participated in this study by filling the online questionnaire.ResultsA factor analysis, using the principal component analysis, was performed on the SOGS scale items. The SOGS items were able to explain 73.35% of the variance, with an internal reliability of KR20 = 0.947 for the total scale. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the results of the factor analysis. More problematic alcohol use (aOR = 1.17), and more depression (aOR = 1.13) were significantly associated with higher odds of probable pathological gambling, whereas females (aOR = 0.27) had significantly lower odds of probable pathological gambling compared to males.ConclusionOur study validated an Arabic-language version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) for use in Lebanon, and showed some factors associated with probable pathological gambling (male gender, alcohol use disorder and depression). This reliable and valid version will hopefully contribute towards better screening for gambling disorder in Lebanon.

The Effect of Shame and Self-Efficacy on Gambling Behaviour

Previous research has identified the benefits of increasing self-efficacy in problem gamblers, while other research has identified higher levels of shame and dysfunctional coping in problem gamblers. The primary aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between problem gambling behaviour, shame (as both a personality trait and an emotional state), gambling-related self-efficacy, and dysfunctional coping mechanisms. The sample consisted of 235 participants (172 male; mean age = 30.32, SD = 8.57), who completed an online, self-report questionnaire that assessed gambling severity, shame-proneness, post-gambling shame and guilt, and dysfunctional coping. Data were assessed using path analysis models. As hypothesised, more problematic gambling was significantly associated with dysfunctional coping. A pathway mediation model was determined and several mediator variables were found to operate in series, including: shame proneness, post-gambling shame, and gambling-related self-efficacy. This research supports and builds on previous research that has highlighted the detrimental effect of problem gambling and shame on coping mechanisms, and the benefits of gambling-related self-efficacy for subsequent coping. A limitation of the study was that 18.7% of the sample reported scores indicative of probable pathological gambling, while most of the remaining sample were representative of recreational gambling. Implications of this are discussed.

Psychometric Properties of the Italian Versions of the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ)

Gambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy beliefs play a major role in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. This study aimed to translate the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ) from English to Italian (GUS-I, GRSEQ-I) and to test their factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, concurrent validity, and gender differences in 513 individuals from the Italian community. Factor structure and construct validity were tested through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency through Cronbach’s alpha, concurrent validity through correlations with gambling-related cognitions (GRCS-I), probable pathological gambling (SOGS-I), and gambling functioning (GFA-R-I). Results confirmed that the 6 items of the GUS-I load highly on one dimension of Gambling Urge, and each of the 26 items of the GRSEQ-I load highly on their relevant sub-dimension, among the following: situations/thoughts, drugs, positive emotions, negative emotions. Both scales are internally consistent and show concurrent validity with gambling-related cognitions, probable pathological gambling, and gambling functioning. Males score higher than females at the GUS-I; females score higher than males at the GRSEQ-I. The findings from the present study suggest that the GUS-I and the GRSEQ-I are internally consistent and valid scales for the assessment of gambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy in Italian individuals from the community, with significant repercussions in terms of assessment, prevention, and intervention.

Debiasing of gambling beliefs and behaviors using a digital gambling accelerator.

Problem gamblers tend to adhere to rigid rules about the chances of winning and are resistant to counterfactual information. To promote a more accurate understanding of the odds of scratch-off ticket gambling, we created a brief debiasing intervention consisting of a digital gambling accelerator program that offers demonstrations of the long-term outcomes of gambling. Using a sample of nontreatment seeking scratch-off lottery gamblers recruited from the community (42 subclinical and 45 probable pathological gamblers), we compared the accelerator intervention to brief motivational interviewing (MI) and a control condition. Participants rated their chances of winning, urge to gamble, and readiness to change before and after the interventions. Self-reported dollar amount spent on scratch-off tickets and number of days gambled were assessed at baseline and again at 2- and 4-week follow-ups. Following the active interventions, gamblers in both conditions reported greater readiness to change than controls, and those in the accelerator condition also gave lower ratings of their chances of winning and urge to gamble. Marginal models showed participants in the accelerator condition gambled fewer days at the 2-week follow-up and spent less money at both the 2- and 4-week follow-ups compared to controls; no other between-subjects differences achieved statistical significance. Digital gambling accelerators can impact several clinically relevant domains of gambling and may be useful as stand-alone or adjunct interventions to treat gambling problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

An Exploratory Study of Relationships Among Five-Factor Personality Measures and Forms of Gambling in Adults With and Without Probable Pathological Gambling.

The present study explored relationships between personality domains and gambling forms in individuals with and without probable pathological gambling (PPG). Associations among personality domain scores obtained from the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised, endorsements of gambling activities on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and PPG as determined by the SOGS were examined with bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Compared to recreational gamblers, those with PPG scored significantly higher in neuroticism and lower in agreeableness and conscientiousness. Agreeableness was inversely associated with gambling on cards, sports, bingo, stock market, dice, and skill games. Conscientiousness was inversely associated with gambling on sports and animal racing. Extraversion was positively associated with gambling on cards, dice, and stocks. Neuroticism and openness were positively associated with gambling on animal racing and stock gambling, respectively. Significant interactions indicated stronger inverse associations between agreeableness and gambling in casinos, on sports, and on skill games and stronger positive associations between openness and gambling on stocks and skill games in individuals with PPG compared to those without. The results suggest different relationships between personality domain measures and specific forms of gambling in individuals with and without PPG. Future research efforts should examine how personality factors may be used to enhance policy, prevention, and treatment efforts.

Probable Pathological Gambling Behaviors in Macau: Social Cognitive Theory Approach

Probable pathological gambling is one of the significant social issues after the release of the exclusive and monopoly system of gambling licenses from one owner to three casino operating concessions and eventually six sub-concessions in Macau. As a result, some residents in Macau had addicted to gambling behaviors and eventually became probable pathological gamblers. In fact, why these individuals become probable pathological gamblers and how did they become probable pathological gamblers should be identified to enhance the current social policy and regulations to assist and provide support to these people. This study employed the Social Cognitive Theory to explore the lived experiences and opinions from three ex-probable pathological gambling people in Macau. The result of this study aimed to provide and attract the attention of the social welfare department, policy makers, social workers and counselors in the field of gambling addiction.

A meta-analytical synthesis and examination of pathological and problem gambling rates among college athletes

ABSTRACTLimited attention has been paid specifically to college athlete gambling in the body of literature. This research article is the first meta-analysis of its type, presenting an up-to-date proportion of those athletes exhibiting gambling pathology as assessed by the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). A thorough literature review and coding procedure yielded data estimates retrieved from 6 studies conducted between 1987 and the present, surveying 2,130 college athletes in the United States. The estimated proportion of probable pathological gamblers among college-athletes was computed at 6.46%. Overall rates of subclinical problem gambling were computed at 8.97%. Statistical significance was found in the influence of the percentage of non-White students on problem gambling rates. The implications of these results as well as recommendations for future practice in dealing with college athletes and disordered gambling on campus are outlined and described in detail for administrators, faculty, university staff, and coaches.

Excessive Gambling and Online Gambling Communities.

The Internet provides an accessible context for online gambling and gambling-related online communities, such as discussion forums for gamblers. These communities may be particularly attractive to young gamblers who are active Internet users. The aim of this study was to examine the use of gambling-related online communities and their relevance to excessive gambling among 15-25-year-old Finnish Internet users (N = 1200). Excessive gambling was assessed by using the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Respondents were asked in a survey about their use of various kinds of gambling-related online communities, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors were adjusted. The results of the study revealed that over half (54.33%) of respondents who had visited gambling-related online communities were either at-risk gamblers or probable pathological gamblers. Discussion in these communities was mainly based on sharing gambling tips and experiences, and very few respondents said that they related to gambling problems and recovery. In three different regression models, visiting gambling-related online communities was a significant predictor for excessive gambling (with 95% confidence level) even after adjusting confounding factors. The association of visiting such sites was even stronger among probable pathological gamblers than among at-risk gamblers. Health professionals working with young people should be aware of the role of online communities in terms of development and persistence of excessive gambling. Monitoring the use of online gambling communities as well as utilizing recovery-oriented support both offline and online would be important in preventing further problems. Gambling platforms should also include warnings about excessive gambling and provide links to helpful sources.

In Search of Executive Impairment in Pathological Gambling: A Neuropsychological Study on Non-treatment Seeking Gamblers.

Pathological gambling is characterized by a persisting maladaptive and recurrent behavior with severe social and psychological consequences. There is evidence of strong comorbidity with psychiatric manifestations as well as cognitive mainly involving executive functions. This study aimed to investigate impairment in executive functions and working memory, and personality traits in a sample of Greek gamblers. Twenty-four men involved in various gambling activities were recruited from ecological settings as probable pathological gamblers. They were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery involving several executive tasks, the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. An age- and education-level matched group of 21 men without history of habitual gambling served as controls. As a group, gamblers displayed significantly lower scores on indices of inhibition, decision making and self-reported emotional awareness, and scored higher on impulsivity/sensation seeking personality traits. Notably, gamblers scored similarly or significantly higher on measures of verbal and visuospatial working memory, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, verbal fluency, and sustained attention. Overall, we argue that gamblers do present with specific cognitive deficits, but there is no evidence for a generalized executive impairment, and further stress the importance of investigating cognitive, personality, and psychiatric aspects of gambling on the basis of an ecologically valid sampling.

Pathological gambling and internet addiction among nursing students: a pilot study

To assess pathological gambling and Internet addiction among nursing students. A monocentric, observational study was carried out from November 2013 to January 2014 at an Italian Nursing Degree Course using the Italian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to assess the risk to develop gambling, and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess the risk to develop Internet addiction. A total of 420 nursing students were enrolled. Two hundred eighty-three students (67.4%) participated; 11.3 % of participants were identified as ''at-risk'' of pathological gambling (SOGS scores of 1 to 4), whereas the 0.7 % of students were identified as probable pathological gamblers (SOGS scores ≥5). The prevalence of Internet addiction in the sample was 8.8% (IAT scores ≥50). Also, findings showed that students with Internet addiction had a higher risk of developing pathological gambling (B = 0,16; p = 0.005). The prevalence of pathological gambling and Internet addiction in our sample is relatively small. However, the percentage of students who could be at-risk for gambling and Internet addiction related problems is noteworthy. Further multicenter studies are needed to better understand the association between gambling and Internet addiction among nursing students.

A Meta-analytical Synthesis and Examination of Pathological and Problem Gambling Rates and Associated Moderators Among College Students, 1987-2016.

The problem of gambling addiction is especially noteworthy among college students, many of whom have the resources, proximity, free time, and desire to become involved in the myriad options of gambling now available. Although limited attention has been paid specifically to college student gambling in the body of literature, there have been three published meta-analyses estimating the prevalence of probable pathological gambling among college students. The research presented is the largest and most comprehensive, presenting an up-to-date proportion of those students worldwide exhibiting gambling pathology as assessed by the South Oaks Gambling Screen, and is the first to include estimates of sub-clinical problem gambling. A thorough literature review and coding procedure resulted in 124 independent data estimates retrieved from 72 studies conducted between 1987 and the present, surveying 41,989 university students worldwide. The estimated proportion of probable pathological gamblers among students was computed at 6.13%, while the rate of problem gambling was computed at 10.23%. Statistical significance was found in the influence of the percentage of non-white students on pathological gambling rates. The implications of this and other moderator analyses such as age and year of studies, as well as recommendations for future practice in dealing with college students and gambling disorder on campus are outlined and described in detail. Suggestions and rationales for future avenues of research in the area are also described.

A study of pathological gambling and its correlates among patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders in North India

ABSTRACTBackground: Gambling, although being a common leisure activity in India, and it has been studied scarcely. There is a dearth of research regarding the rates of problem gambling among substance users in India. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care de-addiction center in India. Male patients aged 18–65 years were included. Diagnosis of gambling disorder or pathological gambling were made using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual–Fifth edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Disorders–10th Edition Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD-10 DCR) respectively. Pattern of gambling as well as the prevalence of probable pathological gambling was assessed using South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Results: A total of 114 substance users were recruited in the study. The occurrence rate of pathological gambling according to ICD-10 DCR was 6.1%, gambling disorder according to DSM-5 was 11.4%, and probable pathological gambling according to SOGS was 12.3%. Playing cards for money was the most common type of gambling. Pathological gamblers had higher rates of injection drug use and high-risk sexual behaviors as compared to non-problem gamblers. Conclusion: Our study suggests pathological gambling to be a common comorbidity among substance use disorder patients. There is a need to study the impact and course of pathological gambling among the Indian patients with substance use disorders.

Gambling and negative life events in a nationally representative sample of UK men

IntroductionThe links between gambling problems, trauma and life stressors are known to exist but understanding the extent of these relationships will allow for greater efficacy in early intervention and treatment. We investigated these relationships among men and sought to determine whether links were attenuated by alcohol and drug use problems. MethodsA cross-sectional UK representative general population survey was conducted in 2009 with 3025 men aged 18–64years. Measurements included self-reported gambling behaviours, as measured by the South Oaks Gambling Scale (SOGS) and traumatic or stressful life events. Covariates included alcohol and drug dependence and socio-demographics. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine associations. ResultsProblem gambling (SOGS 3–4) and probable pathological gambling (SOGS 5+) were associated with increased odds of trauma in childhood (e.g. violence in the home (Adjusted Odd Ratios (AOR) 3.0 (CI=1.8–5.0) and 2.6 (CI=1.7–4.1) respectively), and life stressors in adulthood (e.g. intimate partner violence (AORs 4.5 (CI=2.0–10.3) and 4.7 (CI=2.3–9.7) and homelessness (AORs 2.2 (CI=1.1–4.6) and 3.2 (CI=1.9–5.5)). Results were attenuated when adjusted for probable alcohol and drug dependence with the latter having largest effects. ConclusionsAmong men in the United Kingdom, disordered gambling remains uniquely associated with trauma and life stressors in childhood and adulthood after adjusting for alcohol and drug dependence. The results support a need for disordered gambling treatment services to undertake routine screening for alcohol, drugs, IPV and traumatic life events and to tailor treatment that specifically targets the effects of stress for clients who present with such a cluster of issues.

Gambling Motives: Do They Explain Cognitive Distortions in Male Poker Gamblers?

Gambling behavior is partly the result of varied motivations leading individuals to participate in gambling activities. Specific motivational profiles are found in gamblers, and gambling motives are closely linked to the development of cognitive distortions. This cross-sectional study aimed to predict cognitive distortions from gambling motives in poker players. The population was recruited in online gambling forums. Participants reported gambling at least once a week. Data included sociodemographic characteristics, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Gambling Motives Questionnaire-Financial and the Gambling-Related Cognition Scale. This study was conducted on 259 male poker gamblers (aged 18–69 years, 14.3% probable pathological gamblers). Univariate analyses showed that cognitive distortions were independently predicted by overall gambling motives (34.8%) and problem gambling (22.4%) (p < .05). The multivariate model, including these two variables, explained 39.7% of cognitive distortions (p < .05). The results associated with the literature data highlight that cognitive distortions are a good discriminating factor of gambling problems, showing a close inter-relationship between gambling motives, cognitive distortions and the severity of gambling. These data are consistent with the following theoretical process model: gambling motives lead individuals to practice and repeat the gambling experience, which may lead them to develop cognitive distortions, which in turn favor problem gambling. This study opens up new research perspectives to understand better the mechanisms underlying gambling practice and has clinical implications in terms of prevention and treatment. For example, a coupled motivational and cognitive intervention focused on gambling motives/cognitive distortions could be beneficial for individuals with gambling problems.

Characterization of controlled gamblers and pathological gamblers using the social representation theory

IntroductionIn industrialized countries, gambling disorder tends to become a major issue. The use of the social representation theory provides clues for a better understanding of pathological gamblers. ObjectiveThis paper investigates the representation of risk in a gambling context among lay people (Study 1) and among controlled gamblers and probable pathological gamblers (Study 2). MethodIn the first study, 1106 people answered a free association task based on the target expression ‘risk in a gambling context’. In the second study, a small sample of gamblers, half of them being probable pathological gamblers (based on their score at the SOGS), participated in a semi-structured interview about risk in a gambling context. Interview guidelines were constructed based on the results obtained from Study 1. ResultsIn Study 1, results indicate that the overall representation of risk in a gambling context differs from the one in a general context. The results are interpreted through the prospect theory and the decision-making dual-process model. Results from Study 2 show that, contrarily to those being probable pathological gamblers, controlled gamblers orient their discourse around the notion of pleasure and do not perceive gambling as a threat for their ego. ConclusionControlled gamblers fear to lose money, while probable pathological gamblers fear to lose the game.

A cross-cultural comparison of population gambling patterns and regulatory frameworks: France and Québec.

Few empirical studies have examined the relationships between differing regulatory approaches and patterns of gambling behaviors. This article reports on a correlational cross-cultural comparison of differences in the regulatory approaches and gambling behavior among general adult populations in France and Québec, Canada. We drew data from two large population surveys conducted in France and Québec (N=27 653 and N=11 888, respectively). We found diverging and converging aspects of government regulatory policies. Statistical analyses demonstrated significantly higher participation rates and prevalence of 'assiduous gamblers' in Québec. In France, among assiduous gamblers, the proportion of moderate-risk and probable pathological gamblers is significantly higher. Future research should examine environmental conditions and varying gambling offerings, as well as gambling regulation, to determine their potential influence on gambling behaviors.