Gambling in the Czech Republic: Is there relationship between market, prevalence of gambling and its negative consequences?
Abstract
The extent of gambling market in the Czech Republic is relatively large in comparison with other countries (100 433 slot machines in 7856 gambling halls and 444 casinos in 2012 for 10.5 mil. population). Although pathological gambling in the Czech Republic has long been considered as a significant problem, until 2012 there was no representative study to describe its prevalence in general population.
National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction under the Government of the Czech Republic has realized national survey with sample of 2134 people in 2012. Any gambling experience at least once in their life has about 60% of the Czech population aged 15-64 years, in the last year 25-40%, and in the last month about 15%.
The proportion of people at risk in connection with gambling reaches 4.5-5.0% of the general population aged 15-64 years (Problem Gambling Severity Index: 1-2 points). A higher risk of problems (PGSI: 3-7) shows 1.7-2.3%, of which at high risk (i.e. the risk of pathological gambling, PGSI: 8 and more points) is 0.6-1% of the population.
Problem gambling is associated with increased comorbidity in neurotic, anxious depression, and personality disorders, as well as an increased risk of drug use and suicide commitment. There is also statistically significant correlation between extent of gambling market and negative socio-demographic indicators such as unemployment, low income and population decline in general at the district level.
Other connections between psycho-social, socio-demographic and local characteristics are shown.