Problem Gambling in New Mexico: 1996 and 1998

Included in both the 1996 and 1998 Survey of Gambling Behavior in New Mexico was a scale of individual problem gambling. To assess problems related to gambling behavior, questions were developed using the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. The purpose of this paper is to describe problem gamblers in New Mexico. Descriptive data indicate that 12% (n = 321) of the respondents (N = 2,674) reported problem gambling behavior. Further analysis reveal that 51% of those reporting problem gambling behavior were male, and 48% of respondents were married. Forty-eight percent of problem gambler respondents identified themselves as Hispanic ethnicity and 37% non-Hispanic whites. The mean age of problem gamblers was 37.4 years, and the mean annual income was $45,638. Data were separated by survey year to analyze any changes in reported problem gambling. Overall, 12,008 people per 100,000 population reported a mild to severe gambling problem in the period 1996–1998. Statistical significance was revealed in some gambling activities between low/moderate and serious problem gamblers. Recommendations include replicating this survey in New Mexico to determine additional patterns of problem gambling.