Prevalence of problem gambling in adolescents: findings from the 1999 Ontario Student Drug Use Survey

Can J Psychiatry. 2000 Oct;45(8):752-5. doi: 10.1177/070674370004500809.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of gambling disorders in adolescent students in Ontario.

Method: Data were based on a random survey of 2371 Ontario students in grades 7 to 13 using the South Oaks Gambling Screen revised for adolescents (SOGS-RA).

Results: In total, 5.8% of students met the criteria for past-year problem gambling, and an additional 7.5% met the criteria for at-risk gambling. Gambling disorders were significantly higher among male students than female, but did not differ significantly by age or region.

Conclusion: The prevalence of gambling disorders among adolescents warrants thorough investigation and ongoing monitoring.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Behavior, Addictive / epidemiology*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gambling / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk-Taking
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*