[Slot machine gambling behaviour in East Germany 1990-2000].
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that parameters of slot machine gambling behaviour and related treatment cases have been increasing heavily in the new Länder of Germany (after reunification).


METHODS
Data from the National Population Survey 2000 and from the EBIS Treatment Monitoring System (1998-2000) were compared with figures from previous analyses for 1990-1997.


RESULTS
The percentage of people with gambling experience increased, but the proportion of currently active gamblers decreased. The proportion of frequent gamblers (as an indicator of high-risk behaviour) did not change. The annual average number of new outpatient treatment cases per treatment facility increased, from a low baseline of 1.5 cases, by about 20 %. All figures are still below those for former Western Germany.


CONCLUSIONS
At least until 2000 A.D., the expected extreme increase in gambling behaviour and related treatment demand did not occur.
Bühringer
G
G
IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, München. buehringer@ift.de
Augustin
R
R
Welsch
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011057:Politics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012922:Social Change; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs