Female problem gamblers in Alberta : a secondary analysis of the Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta study

Abstract

To examine the prevalence of "problem" gambling in the Province, Alberta Lotteries and Gaming commissioned a study entitled Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta (Wynne, Smith,and Volberg, 1994). Amongst the findings, this study reports that 84% of the population gamble responsibly; that is, they gamble for entertainment, recreational, or social reasons and have never experienced problems related to their gambling. However, the study also estimates that 4.0% of the adult population in Alberta are currently experiencing gambling problems and that an additional 1.4% of the adult population are currently probable pathological gamblers. Following the release of this study in January, 1994, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) was entrusted with a mandate from the government to develop preventive, educative, and treatment responsal programs and services to mitigate problem gambling throughout the Province. To assist AADAC counselling staff in this important work, a secondary analysis of the Alberta study data was conducted relative to problem gambling in the female population and this report includes the findings and implications of this secondary data analysis.