Internet gambling: an emerging concern in family practice medicine?

BACKGROUND: Gambling problems are rarely brought to the attention of family practice physicians, but pathological gambling can be associated with poor emotional and physical health. Recent availability and easy accessibility of Internet gambling may be associated with pathological gambling status, and Internet gambling may confer health risks. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the prevalence of Internet gambling, its association with pathological gambling, and the relationship between Internet gambling and health status among patients attending medical and dental clinics. METHODS: The South Oaks Gambling Screen and Short Form 12 were administered to 1414 adults in waiting areas of clinics. RESULTS: Only 6.9% of respondents reported ever gambling on the Internet, with 2.8% indicating frequent Internet wagering. Almost two-thirds (65.9%) of regular Internet gamblers were classified as probable pathological gamblers, compared with 29.8% of ever-Internet gamblers and 7.6% of non-Internet gamblers. Internet gambling was associated with poor mental and physical health, and this association remained significant even after controlling for age, gender, site and pathological gambling status. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Internet gambling is linked to pathological gambling and is independently associated with poor health. Family practice physicians should consider referring patients who gamble on the Internet for further treatment.