DIAGNOSIS: Gambling Disorder
2015 EST Status: StrongResearch Support (SEE REPORT)Very strong: High-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms and functional outcomes at post-treatment and follow-up; little risk of harm; requires reasonable amount of resources; effective in non-research settings
Strong: Moderate- to high-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms OR functional outcomes; not a high risk of harm; reasonable use of resources
Weak: Low or very low-quality evidence that treatment produces clinically meaningful effects on symptoms or functional outcomes; Gains from the treatment may not warrant resources involved
Insufficient Evidence: No meta-analytic study could be identified
Insufficient Evidence: Existing meta-analyses are not of sufficient quality
Treatment pending re-evaluation
1998 EST Status: N/A Research Support
Strong: Support from two well-designed studies conducted by independent investigators.
Modest: Support from one well-designed study or several adequately designed studies.
Controversial: Conflicting results, or claims regarding mechanisms are unsupported.
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Brief Summary
- Basic premise: Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) involves increasing an individual’s awareness about the thoughts and situations that lead them to gamble. Correspondingly, individuals will develop new ways of thinking about gambling and values-based alternatives to gambling.
- Length: The average length of treatment is about 8 weekly sessions.
Treatment Resources
Editors: Rory A. Pfund, PhD; Meredith K. Ginley, PhD; James P. Whelan, PhD
Note: The resources provided below are intended to supplement not replace foundational training in mental health treatment and evidence-based practice
Treatment Manuals
Training Resources
Measures, Handouts and Worksheets
Self-help Books
Smartphone Apps
Video Demonstrations
Video Descriptions
Clinical Trials
Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews
Other Treatment Resources
Treatment Manuals / Outlines
Treatment Manuals
Books Available for Purchase Through External Sites
- Problem And Pathological Gambling (Whelan et al., 2007)
- Overcoming Pathological Gambling: Therapist Guide (Ladouceur & LaChance, 2006)
Measures, Handouts and Worksheets
Self-help Books
- Becoming a Winner: Defeating Problem Gambling (Hodgins, 2000)
- Overcoming Gambling Addiction: A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques (2nd edition) (Blaszczynski, 2018)
- Overcoming Your Pathological Gambling: Workbook (Ladouceur & LaChance, 2006)
Important Note: The books listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not necessarily been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.
Smartphone Apps
There are several CBT-based smartphone applications available. However, many of these applications have not been empirically tested (McCurdy et al., 2023). The apps with the most empirical support and that are grounded in CBT principles are listed below:
Video Demonstrations
Videos Available for Purchase Through External Sites
- Problem Gambling with Nancy Petry (American Psychological Association, 2006)
Clinical Trials
- A randomized trial of brief interventions for problem and pathological gamblers (Petry et al., 2008)
- A randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for problem gambling in substance abuse treatment patients (Petry, Rash, & Alessi, 2016)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pathological gamblers (Petry et al., 2006)
- Group therapy for pathological gamblers: A cognitive approach (Ladouceur et al., 2003)
- Motivational enhancement and self-help treatments for problem gambling (Hodgins, Curri, & el-Guebaly, 2001)
- Randomized trial of Internet-delivered self-help with telephone support for pathological gamblers (Carlbring & Smit, 2008)
Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural interventions to reduce problem gambling: Hedging our bets? (Gooding & Tarrier, 2009)
- Cognitive-behavioral treatment for gambling harm: Umbrella review and meta-analysis (Pfund, Ginley, et al., 2023)
- Effect of cognitive-behavioral techniques for problem gambling and gambling disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Pfund, Forman, et al., 2023)
- Effects of cognitive behavioral techniques for gambling on recovery defined by gambling, psychological functioning, and quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Pfund, King, et al., 2023)
- Psychological therapies for pathological and problem gambling (Cowlishaw et al., 2012)