Gambling and problem gambling in Norway: What part does the gambling machine play?

In this article, the findings of a Norwegian national gambling survey carried out in 2002 among the adult population (aged 15–74 years) are discussed. While the survey shows a high level of gambling in the population as a whole (80.6% participation over the last 12 months), problem gambling levels are comparatively low (1.4% over the lifetime). This article suggests that this may partly be the result of a bias in the sample, and should be considered a conservative estimate. However, it also suggests that the scarcity of social arenas may have contributed to holding problem gambling levels down. This article concludes that further investigation should focus on the role of the social aspects of gambling in the problem-generating process. Problem gambling occurs more frequently among young people, men and people born outside Norway. The most common type of gambling for problem gamblers is playing on gambling machines; non-problem gamblers seem to prefer lotteries.