Class Description
This session introduces a public-health view of gambling, clarifying consensus definitions of gambling and problem gambling, then examines where women and men are similar and different across gambling subtypes. We will spotlight sports betting trends, who participates, and the related risks and harms. Finally, we will translate the research into practical prevention, screening, and outreach strategies that communities can apply.
Learning Objectives
- Learn the 2 international consensus definitions for “gambling” and “problem gambling”
- Identify 3 gender similarities and 3 gender differences in gambling patterns and correlates
- Identify 2 demographic patterns of sports bettors and 2 associated harm patterns
- Describe 3 risk or protective factors linked to at-risk or problem gambling, including mental health or substance use comorbidity
- Select and justify 3 harm-minimization or outreach strategies appropriate to their community
Educational Goals
- Build a shared vocabulary for discussing gambling as a public-health issue
- Strengthen the ability to interpret gender-focused findings on gambling behavior and harms
- Increase readiness to implement prevention campaigns and treatment outreach where awareness is low
- Encourage routine screening for problem gambling in substance use and related care settings
- Support evidence-informed discussion of sports betting impacts and local mitigation plans
Outline
- Orientation and key definitions: consensus definitions of gambling and problem gambling, plus scope of the issue: 10 minutes
- Brief history and participation trends: waves of legalization and shifting concerns: 10 minutes
- Gender and gambling: similarities and differences across subtypes, correlates, and comorbidities: 20 minutes
- Sports betting focus: who participates, frequency and activities, associated harms: 20 minutes
- Public-health responses and local application: prevention campaigns, screening, treatment outreach, and mitigation planning: 15 minutes