Pathological gambling: estimating prevalence and group characteristics.

A problem which lies in the path of implementing policies designed to address the adverse effects of gambling is the lack of data on the size and composition of the compulsive gambler group. There is a pressing need, therefore, to develop a data base on gambling participation and its consequences. The present study sought to contribute to this goal by identifying the rate of pathological gambling among adults residing in a nine-county area of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. The study was designed as a scientific community survey employing behavioral criteria as the basis for identification of pathological gamblers.