Gambling Participation and Problem Gambling Severity among Rural and Peri-Urban Poor South African Adults in KwaZulu-Natal

Poor South Africans are significantly poorer and have lower employment rates than the subjects of most published research
on gambling prevalence and problem gambling. Some existing work suggests relationships between gambling activity (including
severity of risk for problem gambling), income, employment status and casino proximity. The objective of the study reported
here is to establish the prevalence of gambling, including at risk and pathological gambling, and the profile of gambling
activities in two samples of poor South African adults living in a rural and a peri-urban community. A total of 300 (150 male,
150 female) adults in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in communities selected using census data, completed the Problem Gambling
Severity Index and a survey of socioeconomic and household information, and of gambling knowledge and activity. It was found
that gambling was common, and—except for lottery participation—mostly informal or unlicensed. Significant differences between
rural and peri-urban populations were found. Peri-urban subjects were slightly less poor, and gambled more and on a different
and wider range of activities. Problem and at risk gamblers were disproportionately represented among the more urbanised.
Casino proximity appeared largely irrelevant to gambling activity.