Prevalence Of Problem Gambling Research Articles

Part of the Game? Exploring the Prevalence and Normalization of Gambling in Belgian Sports Clubs.

Gambling and sports are entangled in a close relationship. However, little remains known about gambling behaviors and perceptions in sports. Drawing on normalization theory, this study explores the prevalence and predictors of problem gambling as well as the normalization of gambling (including its availability and accessibility, prevalence, and socio-cultural accommodation) in sports clubs. A cross-sectional study design was implemented, based on an online survey completed by 817 Belgian sports club actors. This survey consisted of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and questions about personal and socio-cultural factors regarding gambling. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26 software, using descriptive statistics and an ordinal logistic regression analysis. These analyses exposed being male, being aged 26–35 years old, and being involved in football (soccer) as factors that might be linked with higher levels of problem gambling in sports. Furthermore, sports betting is especially shown to be normalized in sports clubs given its prevalence, and its frequently organized and discussed character. Moreover, respondents disclosed a lack of formal rules (96%) and education initiatives (98.7%) on gambling in their sports club. Given the indicated support for gambling regulations and educational measures, this study may inform sports organizations about how to help denormalize gambling.

Gambling in Ireland: profile of treatment episodes from a national treatment reporting system.

Globally, problem gambling prevalence is estimated at between 0.1% and 5.8%. Problem gambling can have many negative consequences; including on physical, and psychological health, and social functioning. There is a need to better understand treatment uptake as only a small proportion seek treatment. This is the first Irish national study using routinely gathered health surveillance data to describe treated problem gambling. Results will inform service policy and planning. An analysis of episodes treated for problem gambling collected by the National Drug Treatment Reporting System was undertaken. Included were episodes entering treatment between 2008 and 2019 (n = 2999). Variables of interest included service types accessed, demographics, socioeconomic information, referral and assessment details, current problems (up to five) and treatment history. The majority (93.8%) were male. One fifth (20.9%) lived with dependent children, 7.4% were homeless. There were high levels of employment (35.4%) and formal education qualifications; half (53.8%) had completed second or third level education. Problem gambling frequently co-occurred with problem use of other substances (47.3%), which was most commonly alcohol (85.6%), followed by cannabis (32.3%), cocaine (28.0%) and benzodiazepines (10.9%). The majority were treated at inpatient settings (56.1%) with many self-referrals (46.3%). This study provides insights into treated problem gambling nationally. Monitoring and surveillance can play a crucial role in measuring the successful efforts and help inform planning and treatment. The findings may have implications for treatment pathways.

Prevalence of gambling problems, help-seeking, and relationships with trauma in veterans.

Background and aimsVeterans who have recently left the military (i.e., transitioned) may be vulnerable to the development of psychiatric disorders, but little is known about gambling problems in this population. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of gambling problems, help-seeking amongst veterans with gambling problems, and relationships with trauma and posttraumatic psychopathology.MethodsCross-sectional self-report survey data from 3,511 Australian Defence Force members who left the military within the past five years. Surveys included measures of gambling problems (PGSI); depressive symptoms (PHQ-9); posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5); help-seeking behaviours; military and non-military-related trauma.ResultsPrevalence rates for problem gambling (PGSI ≥ 5) were 4.6%, while an additional 8.8% were classified in terms of at-risk gambling (PGSI = 1–4). Time since leaving the military was not associated with gambling problems. Only 2.1% of veterans with problem gambling reported help-seeking for their gambling. While trauma exposure, depression, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were all related to gambling problems at the bivariate level, only arousal and dysphoric-related affect were uniquely associated with gambling problems when adjusting for covariates.DiscussionGambling problems may be under-recognised relative to other psychiatric issues. Posttraumatic mental health problems, rather than trauma exposure per se, may explain the relationship between trauma and gambling problems.ConclusionsSome veterans are in a period of vulnerability during transition out of military service, and harms associated with gambling problems may be exacerbated during this period.

Benchmarking gambling screens to health-state utility: the PGSI and the SGHS estimate similar levels of population gambling-harm

BackgroundBoth the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and the Short Gambling Harms Screen (SGHS) purport to identify individuals harmed by gambling. However, there is dispute as to how much individuals are harmed, conditional on their scores from these instruments. We used an experienced utility framework to estimate the magnitude of implied impacts on health and wellbeing.MethodsWe measured health utility using the Short Form Six-Dimension (SF-6D), and used this as a benchmark. All 2603 cases were propensity score weighted, to balance the affected group (i.e., SGHS 1+ or PGSI 1+ vs 0) with a reference group of gamblers with respect to risk factors for gambling harm. Weighted regression models estimated decrements to health utility scores attributable to gambling, whilst controlling for key comorbidities.ResultsWe found significant attributable decrements to health utility for all non-zero SGHS scores, as well as moderate-risk and problem gamblers, but not for PGSI low-risk gamblers. Applying these coefficients to population data, we find a similar total burden for both instruments, although the SGHS more specifically identified the subpopulation of harmed individuals. For both screens, outcomes on the SF-6D implies that about two-thirds of the ‘burden of harm’ is attributable to gamblers outside of the most severe categories.ConclusionsGambling screens have hitherto provided nominal category membership, it has been unclear whether moderate or ‘at-risk’ scores imply meaningful impact, and accordingly, population surveys have typically focused on problem gambling prevalence. These results quantify the health utility decrement for each category, allowing for tracking of the aggregate population impact based on all affected gamblers.

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

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.

Are any samples representative or unbiased? reply to Pickering and Blaszczynski

ABSTRACT Pickering and Blaszczynski’s paper (2021) claims that the problem gambling rate is inflated in paid online convenience and crowdsourced samples. However, there is a methodological flaw in their findings: they combined problem gambling rates from samples that are specific by design (e.g. at-least monthly sports bettors), and compared them to a problem gambling prevalence estimate from the general population. Pickering and Blaszczynski conflate three constructs: representativeness, bias and data quality. Data quality can be optimized through protections and checks, but these do not necessarily make samples more representative, or less biased. Many of the biases present in paid online convenience samples (e.g. self-selection biases) also apply to the gold standard of random digit dial telephone surveys, which is manifestly evident in very low response rates. These biases are also present in industry-recruited and venue-recruited samples, as well as samples of university students and treatment-seeking clients. Paid online convenience samples also have clear benefits. For example, it is possible to obtain large samples of very specific subgroups. Online surveys may reduce bias associated with self-reporting potentially stigmatizing conditions, like problem gambling. It is important not to discount research simply because it uses a paid online convenience or crowdsourced sample.

Usage de Jeux de hasard et d’argent et d’Internet dans une population de patients en demande de soins en addictologie–Étude multicentrique

BackgroundTransversal grouping of addictions under the heading “Substance related and addictive disorders” in the DSM-5 has led to a common policy on addictions and the promotion of addiction services covering all types of addictions, including behavioral addictions. Material and methodsThe main objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of problem gambling in a population of patients seeking treatment in addictive disorders center. Secondary objectives were: to describe the use of Internet and the prevalence of gaming disorder, sexual addiction and compulsive buying online ; to describe a population of patients consulting in addictive disorders center; to explore associated factors related to problem gambling. A self-questionnaire was built, evaluating the socio-demographic elements, the addiction pathway, problem gambling and Internet use with a focus on video game disorder, sexual addiction and compulsive buying. It was offered to consultants from five addictology centers in Brittany. Results252 patients seeking treatment for addictive disorders were included. Problem gambling was present in 9.9 % of patients. Problem gamblers were more likely to have been asked about their gambling by the addictology team than other patients. The rate of identification of gambling habits, whether in addiction or outside, was generally low. Internet use was 83 %. The prevalence of other online behavioral addictions was low. Discussion and conclusionThe prevalence of problem gambling is almost 4 times higher among addictology consultants, compared to the general population, probably related to addictive comorbidities. The identification of gambling habits concerned a small proportion of the patients included, whether in specialized care or outside. There is significant room for improvement in the identification of problem gambling, in addictology and beyond. It is important to question gambling habits for any reason for addiction consultation and to repeat this identification over time. As the Internet is widely used by addictology consultants, it can represent a key element in care, both in the identification of behavioral addictions and in follow-up.

Gambling Patterns Among People from Vietnam and Ukraine Living in the Czech Republic.

In 2019, a questionnaire was conducted among foreigners living in the Czech Republic focused on gambling, in which 110 respondents from Vietnam and 80 respondents from Ukraine answered. Firstly, the Attitudes towards gambling scale (ATGS-8) was used to discover respondents’ attitudes to gambling. Secondly, their experience with gambling was examined with the help of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) which allowed, among others, to estimate the level of prevalence of problem gambling in these groups. The methods used allowed us to compare both the Ukrainians to Vietnamese as well as Ukrainians and Vietnamese to Czechs, as similar survey was conducted among the major population of the country in 2017. The overall score of attitudes to gambling is slightly higher for the citizens of Ukraine (17.97) and Vietnam (18.29) compared to the majority. The Vietnamese living in the Czech Republic also have a significantly higher proportion of people in the category of pathological gamblers as based on the PGSI index (Vietnamese 4.2%), whilst the value of this index for Ukrainians (0.7%) is similar to the one of the majority. The analysis of immigrants’ gambling behaviour shows that Ukrainians are more like the majority population. The Vietnamese immigrants differ from both the majority population and Ukrainians in terms of attitudes whilst gambling is for them as common problem as alcohol consumption, and an even bigger problem than smoking.

Co-morbid gambling disorder in a local drug and alcohol service: an audit to determine prevalence

AimsNational surveys show that over 56% of adults in England gamble annually, and of those surveyed, 0.5% were problem gamblers, equating to 300,000 problem gamblers at any point. The prevalence of problem gambling in patients with a substance misuse disorder ranges from 20.5% to 55%.The audit aims to improve the care of patients with comorbid substance misuse and gambling disorder by assessing the extent to which the service currently enquires about and records problem gambling in its patient cohort.It is hypothesised that as no formal recording process is in place locally, this information will not be recorded systematically and in a way that is easily retrievable by the service.The audit will allow the service to assess whether changes need to be made to the initial assessment pathways into treatment for substance-related disorders to adequately record this information so that further assessment and onward referral can take place.MethodAll active patients (n = 2824) within the service had both their electronic initial assessments and their entire electronic notes screened for terms such as ‘betting’ and ‘gambling’ and this was recorded using an Excel spreadsheet. Prevalence rates across the teams (opiates, non-opiates and alcohol) were then calculated.ResultThe results showed that 0% of patients had any entries in their initial screening noting any gambling activity. Further scrutiny of the records revealed that only 3.5% (n-99) had ever discussed gambling with a worker in any of the services.ConclusionThe majority (n = 52) of patients who had discussed gambling only had one positive search result, suggesting this was not followed-up in a systematic fashion. Recommendations are to revise the common assessment pro-forma to include a validated brief screening tool (lie/bet), where one positive answer triggers a further assessment with an appropriate clinician for consideration of referral to the local NHS gambling service.

Exploring the Gaps in Programming for Men and Women with a Gambling Disorder in the Correctional System in Canada.

The prevalence of problem gambling in the correctional system is about 10 times higher than in the general population, but programming for gambling problems in the correctional system is scarce. Examined barriers to treatment for problem gamblers in the correctional system, sex or gender differences, and options for program design. We conducted interviews with 16 experts who had worked with problem gamblers in the correctional system and analyzed the data in terms of themes. For barriers, the experts discussed a lack of awareness about problem gambling, as well as stigmatization and lockdowns. Experts described the content of current programs as equally applicable to both men and women, but that emotional components were more important for women. Finally, the experts had mixed views on whether programming should be integrated with other programs such as substance abuse. Programming implications for this population are discussed.

Prevalence of Problem Gambling Among Women Using Shelter and Drop-in Services

People experiencing poverty/homelessness have higher rates of problematic gambling than the general population. Yet, research on gambling among this population is sparse, notably among women. This study examined prevalence of problematic gambling among women using shelter and drop-in services in Ontario, Canada. The NORC Diagnostic Screen for Disorders was administered to women during visits to 15 sites using time/location methodology. Within a sample of 162 women, the prevalence of at-risk (6.2%), problem (9.3%), and pathological gambling (19.1%) was higher than the general population. Among women who scored at-risk or higher, 55.4% met criteria for pathological gambling. The findings suggest that women seeking shelter and drop-in services are vulnerable to problematic gambling. Creating awareness of this vulnerability within the shelter and drop-in service sector is an important first step to support women with gambling problems who face financial and housing precarity.

A casino in my pocket: Gratifications associated with obsessive and harmonious passion for mobile gambling.

Mobile gambling differs from land-based and traditional forms of gambling in that the opportunity to place bets and engage with casinos is constantly present and easily accessible. Instead of going to a physical bookmaker or casino, mobile gambling is done quickly and swiftly, anytime, anywhere, with a few taps on a mobile device. Previous studies reveal mobile gambling has managed to reach new audiences especially amongst younger people. Gambling harms can have severe adverse effects on individuals, families and society. However, for a subgroup of highly involved individuals, gambling can be considered a harmonious passion that permits frequent gambling without elevating individual's risks of experience problem gambling manifestations. Combining the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) and Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) frameworks, the present study aims to determine if and how the different gratifications sought from mobile gambling are susceptible to explaining non-problematic versus problematic patterns in highly involved gamblers. Data were collected over two waves from a global sample of mobile gamblers (N = 327). Results emphasize that the motivational underpinnings of mobile gambling (as measured by the U&G) differ in obsessive versus harmonious passion. Obsessive passion is associated with poor mood and problematic gambling. In contrast, harmonious passion for mobile gambling is associated with positive mood but is unrelated to problematic gambling. Based on these findings, and given that problematic gambling is an internationally relevant public health issue (the prevalence of problem gambling is estimated to range from 0.1% to 5.8% in different countries), we suggest interventions focusing on specific uses and gratifications associated with an obsessive passion for mobile gambling may be effective in reducing problematic usage patterns.

Is a sense of community belonging associated with problem gambling in Canada?

Despite the increasing demand for public health measures to prevent problem gambling, few studies have examined the association between community characteristics and problem gambling. The aim of this nationally representative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between a sense of community belonging and problem gambling in Canada. We also examined whether this relationship was modified by sex and marital status. Canadian Community Health Survey (2013-2014) data from 38,968 residents of Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia were analyzed. Problem gambling was assessed using the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. We estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for problem gambling. The prevalence of problem gambling was 1.4% (1.9% among males; 0.9% among females). We observed an inverse dose-response relationship between a sense of community belonging and problem gambling. Compared with those with a very strong sense of community belonging, the adjusted ORs for problem gambling were 1.07 (95% CI 0.65-1.76) for a somewhat strong sense, 1.27 (95% CI 0.77-2.11) for a somewhat weak sense, and 2.32 (95% CI 1.34-4.02) for a very weak sense of community belonging. The association was more prominent among females (except for those widowed/divorced/separated), whereas no clear association was found among males, irrespective of marital status. When implementing public health measures to reduce problem gambling, it would be useful to account for possible differential impacts of a sense of community belonging by sex and marital status, which may reflect significant social contexts among residents.

The Relative and Interactive Effects of Actual and Perceived Gambling Exposure on Gambling Behaviour.

Actual and perceptual measures of gambling exposure are important predictors of problem gambling. This study used Zero-Inflated Poisson regression analyses to assess the relative and interactive effects of actual and perceived exposure on problem gambling risk and severity. Data from the 2008 and 2009 Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Alberta surveys indicated actual exposure was significantly associated with problem gambling risk while perceived exposure was significantly associated with problem gambling severity. These associations differ for gamblers from emerging and mature areas. Further, actual and perceived exposure had significant interaction effects on problem gambling severity but not on risk. Implications from these findings suggest that the prevalence of problem gambling could be reduced by restrictions on gambling opportunities.

Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada in 2018: Prevalence and Changes Since 2002.

The purpose of this study was to provide an updated profile of gambling and problem gambling in Canada and to examine how the rates and pattern of participation compare to 2002. An assessment of gambling and problem gambling was included in the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey and administered to 24,982 individuals aged 15 and older. The present analyses selected for adults (18+). A total of 66.2% of people reported engaging in some type of gambling in 2018, primarily lottery and/or raffle tickets, the only type in which the majority of Canadians participate. There are some significant interprovincial differences, with perhaps the most important one being the higher rate of electronic gambling machine (EGM) participation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The overall pattern of gambling in 2018 is very similar to 2002, although participation is generally much lower in 2018, particularly for EGMs and bingo. Only 0.6% of the population were identified as problem gamblers in 2018, with an additional 2.7% being at-risk gamblers. There is no significant interprovincial variation in problem gambling rates. The interprovincial pattern of problem gambling in 2018 is also very similar to what was found in 2002 with the main difference being a 45% decrease in the overall prevalence of problem gambling. Gambling and problem gambling have both decreased in Canada from 2002 to 2018 although the provincial patterns are quite similar between the 2 time periods. Several mechanisms have likely collectively contributed to these declines. Decreases have also been reported in several other Western countries in recent years and have occurred despite the expansion of legal gambling opportunities, suggesting a degree of inoculation or adaptation in large parts of the population.

Adolescent Problem Gambling in Rural Ghana: Prevalence and Gender Differentiation

Problem gambling among young people is now a public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the behaviour remains understudied, particularly, among rural-dwelling young people in countries within the subregion. We aimed to estimate the 12 months prevalence of problem gambling and to describe the overall and gender differences and commonalities in personal factors and social adversities associated with problem gambling among adolescents in rural Ghana. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving a random sample of 1101 in-school adolescents aged 10–19 years in a rural district in Eastern Ghana; we used the DSM-IV-Multiple Response-Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) questionnaire to assess problem gambling during the previous 12 months. Personal lifestyle and psychosocial variables were assessed using adopted items from the 2012 WHO–Global School-based Student Health Survey. Overall, three in 10 adolescents (3 in 10 females; 4 in 10 males) in rural Ghana reported problem gambling in the previous 12 months. Female adolescents who experienced problem gambling were more likely to report family-related social adversities, while adolescent male problem gambling was associated with school-related factors and interpersonal factors outside the family context. Regardless of gender, sexual abuse victimisation was associated with three times increase in the odds of experiencing problem gambling. Relative to the prevalence of gambling among adolescents in urban contexts in other countries within sub-Saharan Africa, the estimates of problem gambling among in-school rural adolescents in Ghana are higher. Although further studies are needed to understand the nuances of the behaviour, the evidence of this study underscores the need for general and targeted health promotion, intervention and prevention efforts to mitigate the family, school, and interpersonal social adversities associated with adolescent problem gambling in rural Ghana.

Transitioning Between Online Gambling Modalities and Decrease in Total Gambling Activity, but No Indication of Increase in Problematic Online Gambling Intensity During the First Phase of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Sweden: A Time Series Forecast Study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak will likely have a public health impact beyond immediate disease transmission. Little is known about whether social distancing and other societal changes has provoked an increase in gambling, whether decreased betting opportunities due to paused sports events spurred gamblers to transition to online casino gambling, or whether any of these factors have had an impact on problem gambling.Methods: Data on lookup queries against the Swedish Gambling Paus registry, logging all initiated gambling sessions by all licensed gambling providers, from 2019-01-01 (start of registry) to 2020-04-08 (well into the first phase of the outbreak) were analyzed using TBATS time series forecasting to estimate trends after the first domestic COVID-19 death. Obfuscated data on daily total wagered and deposited amounts, split by modality (casino or betting, and low and high intensity, respectively) for the equivalent period were supplied by a licensed online gambling provider.Results: Total gambling activity decreased by 13.29% during the first phase of the outbreak compared to forecast. Analyses of online gambling data revealed that although betting decreased substantially in synchrony with a slight increase in online casino gambling, there was no increase in likely problematic, high-intensity gambling and neither did total online gambling increase.Conclusions: This first, preliminary study revealed no increase in Swedish gambling activity, total or specifically online, in the first phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. Future research should examine whether pandemic-induced transitioning between gambling modalities and/or increased participation in gambling, leads to long-term effects on prevalence of problem gambling.

Transmission of Problem Gambling Between Adjacent Generations

We investigate the extent to which gambling problems at age 20 are linked to parental gambling behaviour during childhood, employing data from a longitudinal study (ALSPAC) which has followed parents and children from Avon, England since pregnancy. 1058 children completed a problem gambling screen at age 20. When those children had been age 6, each of their parents was asked about their own gambling. We used regression to estimate the effect of parental gambling behaviour at child age 6 on the child’s problem gambling risk at age 20. Parental gambling participation at child age 6 was not a predictor of offspring problem gambling; but problem gambling by parents was a predictor of offspring problem gambling. However, this latter result was found only cross-gender (fathers’ behaviour influencing daughters and mothers’ behaviour influencing sons). This pattern was robust to models including measures of parental education and variables capturing family attitudes to health choices and the degree of domestic harmony. The sample illustrates high problem gambling prevalence amongst young adults. Although there is transmission of ‘problem gambling’ between generations, it appears to happen only cross-gender. This limits the importance of parental problem gambling as a source of the high prevalence because relatively few mothers exhibit problem gambling and risks to daughters from fathers are in the context of initially low baseline risks. Preventative policies might therefore be more appropriately targeted at young adults rather than rely on influencing parental gambling behaviour earlier in the child’s life.

Screening for Gambling Disorder in VA Primary Care Behavioral Health: A Pilot Study

The current pilot study assessed the prevalence of at-risk/problem gambling using the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) among a sample of U.S. military veterans seeking mental health treatment services in a primary care medical setting at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in the Northeast. Out of the 260 veterans screened, 85 veterans (32.7%) reported gambling behaviors within the past 12 months. No significant differences were found between gambling and non-gambling veterans on demographics, medical, or mental health conditions collected in the study. Among veteran past-year gamblers, five veterans (5.9%) screened positive for at-risk/problem gambling. The estimated prevalence of problem gambling was 1.9% among veterans screened in a primary care behavioral health clinic. Results suggest that self-disclosure of problem gambling among veterans, as well as outreach efforts by VA health care providers, could serve to increase veterans’ participation in treatment services for problem gambling. Larger, well-powered studies that examine the utility of the BBGS for detecting problem gambling among military populations are needed.

Emotional dysregulation features and problem gambling in university students: a pilot study

Undergraduate students typically cope with various changes in their lives and experience many stressors associated with academic issues. Distress can make them more vulnerable to particular behavioral patterns in order to cope with negative affect. The association of problematic gambling with particular emotion regulation characteristics—some of which are developmentally dependent—becomes a recent focus of research with clinical and preventive implications. We carried out a pilot study enrolling voluntarily young adults of a public university in the Lisbon area, and 117 Portuguese-speaking individuals were interviewed. Participants, mainly female (M = 20.6; SD = 3.9), were investigated taking into consideration their gambling practices, characteristics of impulsivity and alexithymia, along with the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Portuguese versions of the South Oaks Gambling Scale (SOGS) and Short-Version of Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPSP) were prepared (i.e., translation and back-translation of the original versions were performed). The prevalence of gambling problems in this sample is modest, although they were associated with negative urgency and sensation-seeking, as well as with depression symptoms. Multiple correspondence analysis, a particular multivariate model associating gambling problems with socio-demographic and psychological variables, allowed identifying different profiles of individuals. Trace and state emotional dysregulation features are selectively associated with distinctive gambling patterns, according to some previous findings in studies with other groups. Results may address new findings in terms of morbidity, risk factors and the design of future preventive strategies among such individuals.