Gambling in a National U.S. Veteran Population: Prevalence, Socio-demographics, and Psychiatric Comorbidities

This study aimed to examine associations between gambling level and clinically relevant measures, including psychiatric disorders and suicidality, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. veterans. Data on 3157 U.S. veterans were analyzed from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.

Key Data Points:

• A significant proportion of U.S. veterans engage in gambling activities.
  • 35.1% of U.S. veterans gambling recreationally
  • 2.2% of study participants screened positive for at-risk or problem gambling screening positive for ARPG.
• In the U.S veteran population, at-risk and problem gambling are associated with greater prevalence of substance use, anxiety, and depressive disorders, as well as with a history of physical trauma or sexual trauma, having sought mental health treatment (particularly from the Veterans Administration), and minority group status.