Problem gambling rates holding steady.

• Position: Addictions

In the past decade, online gambling has exploded and several states have approved measures to legalize various types of gambling. So, it only is natural that the number of people with gambling problems also has increased, right? Wrong, indicate scientists at the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) Research Institute on Addictions.

"We compared results from two nationwide telephone surveys, conducted a decade apart. We found no significant increase in the rates of problem gambling in the U.S. despite a nationwide increase in gambling opportunities," notes senior research scientist John W. Welte.

The first telephone survey interviewed people in 1999-2000, and the second in 2011-13. Individuals were asked about their participation in a broad range of gambling activities, including raffles, office pools, fantasy sports leagues, pull tabs, bingo, cards, pool, gambling machines, casinos, lottery, Internet gambling, and sports, horse, and dog track betting.

Despite an increase in gambling opportunities, rates of problem gambling have remained stable. Problem gambling includes behaviors such as constantly thinking about gambling, increasing bets to sustain thrill, lying to conceal gambling activity, and the inability to stop gambling, among others.

Using several different criteria, the researchers found no statistically significant change in problem gambling or its more severe form...