A Behavior Analysis of Gambling

As behavior analysts continue to seek means by which the world can become a better place through proven scientific application of behavioral principles, it is time to turn more of our attention to pathological gambling. Currently between 3-5% of the United States population suffer from problem/pathological gambling, which is an increase from about 1% only 20 years ago. Similar increases in population percentages have been reported in other countries as well. Reasons for the rising number of persons suffering from pathological gambling range from changing personality characteristics, genetic predispositions, and a growth in legalized gambling. As behavior analysts, we tend to focus heavily on environmental conditions which result in changes to behavior, and thus must wonder if the increased access to gambling has in part resulted in increased prevalence of pathological gambling. Specifically, 25 years ago only 2 states in the US allowed legalized gambling; today 48 states allow some form of gambling.

Behavior analysts have much to accomplish with respect to understanding gambling behavior. Only recently have our field's researchers begun to take notice and create gambling laboratories to study this behavior. Animal models are in development as well as simulated casinos for problem gamblers. Only a solid empirical foundation of behavior analytic principles can guide effective clinical treatment, so it is crucial that more behavior analysts begin to explore this behavior.

As you will see throughout this website, a trend in the data is occurring. More and more research is being published and presented. Growing numbers of ABA members are becoming members of the "Behaviorists Interested in Gambling Special Interest Group". Behaviorally-based treatment for problem gamblers can be found in a few locations throughout the country. Hopefully this trend will continue, and this website will accelerate it.

I urge you to explore this website and all it has to offer. For those of you interested in possibility starting a line of research related to gambling, you will find links to downloadable gambling software, locations to purchase gaming devices such as slot machines, and potential funding sources. Upcoming behavior analytic gambling presentations are listed so you might be able to network with others interested in gambling. If you currently are conducting research related to gambling or a behaviorally based treatment provider, contact us so we can add your information to this site.

In summary, we are very pleased to offer the Gambling Section addition to the Cambridge Center's website. All of us hope that this site will serve as a clearing house for information dissemination and as a stimulus for increasing the role that behavior analysts have in understanding the growing social concern of problem gambling.

Mark R. Dixon, Ph.D., BCBA
Action Editor, CCBS Gambling Section
Southern Illinois University

Advisory Panel

We are fortunate to have several researchers involved in guiding the content of this section. Please click here for a list of our Advisory Panel.

Upcoming Events

We maintain a list of gambling-related events here. There are several symposia at ABA 2005 in Chicago, demonstrating the current level of interest in this topic.

Gambling in the News

A collection of articles about gambling from other sources.

Resources

We have a list of places to acquire gambling equipment for research, and we have also assembled a list of journals which publish gambling studies.

Mark Dixon is Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at the Rehabilitation Institute of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He can be contacted by email at mdixon@siu.edu. Check out their web site at http://www.siu.edu/~rehabbat/

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