Abstract

        Our assumption in this study is that gambling is a public "bad", which is strongly associated with other public bads, such as smoking, illicit drug use and intoxication, and negatively associated with public goods, such as education, physical activity, sleep, and spiritual commitment.

        Also, the results of gambling are reduced quality of life, satisfaction with life and ability to function well in life and work for example.

        The primary purpose of this study is to provide detailed evidence relating to these assumptions. Most results accord with our expectations. The tables provide profiles by the type of gambler, and by the dollars gambled. The results of preliminary analyses of gambling expenditures are also given.

        Some of the evidence is as follows. Concerning the public bads, only 3% of those who have never used marijuana are problem gamblers compared with 7% who have used marijuana more than once - the same rates apply for users and nonusers of any illicit drug.

        Also, only 2% of those who have never drunk alcohol are problem gamblers, compared with 4% of former drinkers, 6% of regular drinkers, and 16% of those intoxicated for at least one month in the preceding year.

        Only 5% of those who had never attempted suicide were problem gamblers, compared with 9% who had attempted suicide in their life.

        Concerning public goods, only 2% of the weekly worshippers, for example, are problem gamblers, compared with 4% of the monthly, and 6% of the non-worshippers (but religiously affiliated) and 6% of the unaffiliated.

        Also, only 3% of the "very religious" are problem gamblers, compared with 6% of the "not very religious" and 5% of the "not religious at all". Only 3% of those saying spiritual values help them a lot with everyday difficulties are problem gamblers, compared with 6% who find no such help at all.

        Among all groups analysed by regression methods, women and men, mothers and fathers, smokers and non-smokers, gambling activity is positively associated with the public bad, smoking marijuana, and negatively with the public goods, education, spiritual commitment and hours of sleep.

        Analysis also revealed gambling expenditures to be significantly higher among liberal Christians and French and non-French Roman Catholics than among conservative Christians, as expected, and all groups of non-Christians except fathers.

        A surprising analytical result for all groups examined except mothers is to see gambling higher among liberal Protestants than among the religiously unaffiliated.