title: Perceptions of the extent of problem gambling within new casino communities.
abstract: Several recent studies using objective measures have found that the rate of pathological gambling in the U.S. is less than 5%. To determine the general population's perception of the prevalence of pathological gambling, a survey was conducted in seven communities where casinos have recently opened. Of the 1631 respondents who provided an estimate, the mean response was that 16% of the community residents were problem gamblers, more than three times the rate found by studies using specific diagnostic criteria. A regression equation found several demographic and attitudinal items are associated with higher prevalence estimates. In addition, the data support a "close to home" hypothesis that respondents who have relatives who have experienced problems with gambling will tend to perceive higher rates of problem gambling in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Justice, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grant Stitt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giacopassi