The RDD sampling ensured that the sample within each stratum was representative of that stratum. It employed National Opinion Research Center’s (NORC) standard sampling method for random-digit-dialing (RDD) surveys stratified by state lottery status (state lottery, no state lottery)–a list-assisted approach which covers almost 98% of telephone households with small non-coverage bias ( Brick et al, 1995 Gerstein et al., 1999). The GIBS surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,417 adults taken from the telephone component of the civilian household population of the U.S., which covered 95% of U.S. We hypothesized that substance-abusing recreational gamblers as compared to non-substance-abusing ones would have different gambling patterns and preferences, engage in heavier gambling, have earlier ages at gambling onset, gamble more frequently for excitement, and more frequently prefer and perform strategic forms of gambling typically involving competitive risk-taking. These studies suggest a robust relationship between substance use and recreational gambling, warranting a study of gambling behaviors in substance abusers as compared to non-abusers.ĭata from the Gambling Impact and Behavior Study (GIBS) were used to examine relationships between substance abuse/dependence and socio-demographic and gambling measures among recreational gamblers. Motivational factors, such as excitement-seeking, have been associated with heavier gambling and substance abuse amongst recreational gamblers ( Pantalon et al., 2008).

Among types of substance abuse/dependence, alcohol has been most associated with recreational gambling ( Desai et al., 2007 Desai et al., 2004 Desai et al., 2005 Duhig et al., 2006 Pietrzak et al., 2007). Recreational gambling has been associated with substance use and psychiatric disorders across age groups ( Desai et al., 2007 Desai et al., 2004 Desai et al., 2005 Martins et al., 2007 Pietrzak et al., 2007) and gender ( Desai et al., 2005 Martins et al., 2008 Potenza et al., 2006). As the proportion that experiences problem/pathological gambling is small ( Petry, 2007), an improved understanding of recreational gambling has significant public health implications ( Shaffer and Korn, 2002).

Most adults have gambled within the past-year ( National Research Council, 1999).

What gambling in the park means