Problem and pathological gambling in North American Aboriginal populations: a review of the empirical literature.

This literature review attempts to: estimate Aboriginal population prevalence rates for problem and pathological gambling and compare these rates to the general population; determine factors associated with the Aboriginal population problem gambling behaviour; and identify other salient findings and issues. Materials used in the review were drawn from available research literature and bibliographies. There were no time restrictions or study design criteria included in the review. Key words used: Aboriginal, Indians, First Nations, Native, lotteries, gambling, casinos, and gaming. Eleven descriptive studies were identified. Gambling appears to be problematic among Aboriginal people. Aboriginal adolescents have higher rates of problem gambling, as do Aboriginal adults for both problem and pathological gambling than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. The odds ratios indicate that the Aboriginal population has a problem gambling behaviour rate 2.2 to 15.69 times higher than the non-Aboriginal population. A number of factors associated with Aboriginal population problem and pathological gambling were identified. Gambling literature specific to the Aboriginal population is limited and there is extensive variation in estimates of their increased risk. Several associated factors were identified but whether these are specific to the Aboriginal population or to all problem and pathological gamblers needs to be determined. More research, particularly qualitative, into these factors is warranted.