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The first observation is that, overall, the
current prevalence of problem gambling is quite
low in the general population. The next
observation is that, with the exception of
Washington, there are no significant differences
in current prevalence rates of problem gambling
among men and women. This is interesting in view
of the far lower gambling participation rates
that we observed among women (see Table 3). In
contrast to the lack of gender differences,
there are substantial and significant
differences in prevalence rates of problem
gambling between the two groups identified:
white people and "other," minority groups in all
four states. The differences in prevalence rates
between these groups are greatest in Washington
and smallest in New York.
To elucidate the relationship between gender,
problem gambling and gaming machines more
clearly, it is helpful to examine problem
gambling prevalence rates among participants in
specific types of gambling. To do so, it was
necessary to combine data from the four surveys
to achieve samples of past-year players that
were large enough to provide useful information.
Table 6 presents current prevalence rates of
problem gambling in the combined samples of
people who reported past-year gambling on
lottery games, gaming machines, private wagers,
bingo and horseracing
Private wagering, the most "masculine" gambling
activity, again presents a varied picture.
Past-year private wagering increased among men,
whether white or minority, in Montana but
decreased among women. In contrast, past-year
private wagering declined across all groups in
Oregon, with the exception of minority women.
Past-year private wagering in Washington
declined across the board, but with the largest
decline among men in minority groups. Looking at
bingo, we find declines across the board in
past-year participation; the one exception being
minority women in Montana, Oregon and Washington
who were more likely to have played bingo in the
past year.
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