Illegal behaviors as a consequence of gambling disorder

Background and Objectives: Gambling disorder has been associated with illegal behaviors; however, research using validated scales and in‐person assessments has been less common.

Methods: Four hundred and twenty‐seven people with gambling disorders taking part in clinical trials completed multiple instruments and select cognitive tasks. Two groups were identified: those with illegal behaviors linked to gambling disorder and those without. Differences between the groups were examined.

Results: 43.3% of people with gambling disorders reported gambling‐related illegal behaviors. Illegal behaviors were associated with earlier gambling symptom onset, higher levels of depressive symptoms, worse quality of life, and higher non‐planning impulsivity. In those with illegal behaviors, the most common activities reported were writing bad checks/paying bills from accounts that no longer had funds (75.1%), and theft (9.6%). People with illegal gambling‐ related behaviors did not differ from those without, in terms of levels of symptom severity, or likelihood of responding to treatment in the subsequent clinical trials.

Discussion and Conclusions: Illegal behaviors are commonplace in people with gambling disorders and linked to worse quality of life, but people with gambling‐related illegal behaviors respond to core treatments to the same extent as people without these behaviors.

Scientific Significance: The findings from this study extend previous research and support the novel notion that rather than more intensive treatment being indicated for gambling disorders linked to illegal activities, it may be prudent to consider illegal behaviors as part of a wider profile of gambling‐related harms that merit interventions in their own right.