Longitudinal Trajectories of Problem Gambling Symptoms and Alcohol Related Problems in a U.S. National Sample
Session Title
Treatment: Comorbidity & Mutual Aid
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Start Date
26-5-2026 12:00 AM
Abstract
The rapidly expanding access to gambling in the U.S. has been linked with increased gambling participation, gambling-related problems, and symptoms of gambling disorder. Individuals who gamble also report higher alcohol consumption, greater alcohol-related harm, and more frequent binge drinking. Sports gambling legalization has also been linked to reductions in retirement savings and increases in bankruptcy filings and payday lending, highlighting potential economic risks of expanded gambling access. The present study examined longitudinal associations among gambling disorder symptoms, alcohol use frequency, and family income over a three-year period in a census-matched sample of U.S. adults (N = 4,363). Gambling disorder symptoms were assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and alcohol use frequency was measured with the NIDA-ASSIST-2. Data were analyzed using parallel process growth curve models. Results showed small but significant declines over time in PGSI scores (slope = -0.135, p < .001) and alcohol use frequency (slope = -0.035, p < .001). However, the slopes of PGSI and alcohol use frequency were strongly positively correlated (r = .806, p < .001), suggesting closely linked trajectories. Higher income was linked with greater alcohol use (estimate = 0.102, p < .001), more frequent gambling (estimate = 0.044, p < .001), and predicted lower PGSI scores (estimate = -0.012, p < .001), indicating that financial security may serve as a protective factor.
Longitudinal Trajectories of Problem Gambling Symptoms and Alcohol Related Problems in a U.S. National Sample
The rapidly expanding access to gambling in the U.S. has been linked with increased gambling participation, gambling-related problems, and symptoms of gambling disorder. Individuals who gamble also report higher alcohol consumption, greater alcohol-related harm, and more frequent binge drinking. Sports gambling legalization has also been linked to reductions in retirement savings and increases in bankruptcy filings and payday lending, highlighting potential economic risks of expanded gambling access. The present study examined longitudinal associations among gambling disorder symptoms, alcohol use frequency, and family income over a three-year period in a census-matched sample of U.S. adults (N = 4,363). Gambling disorder symptoms were assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and alcohol use frequency was measured with the NIDA-ASSIST-2. Data were analyzed using parallel process growth curve models. Results showed small but significant declines over time in PGSI scores (slope = -0.135, p < .001) and alcohol use frequency (slope = -0.035, p < .001). However, the slopes of PGSI and alcohol use frequency were strongly positively correlated (r = .806, p < .001), suggesting closely linked trajectories. Higher income was linked with greater alcohol use (estimate = 0.102, p < .001), more frequent gambling (estimate = 0.044, p < .001), and predicted lower PGSI scores (estimate = -0.012, p < .001), indicating that financial security may serve as a protective factor.