Certain groups of people show an increased risk of pathologic gambling. Screening for pathologic gambling can be done effectively by the primary care provider who can then attempt an intervention.
Groups at risk for pathologic gambling:
(1) persons with mental health problems (psychosis, anxiety or phobias, depression, personality disorder, attention deficit, mood disorder, etc.)
(2) substance abusers
(3) males
(4) African Americans
(5) family history of pathologic gambling
Some would also include persons of lower socioeconomic status, However, the apparent prevalence in the poor may reflect other issues (less able to mask behavior, consequence of gambling losses, mental health problems, etc.)
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