Comparison of gambling profiles based on strategic versus non-strategic preferences

Gambling disorder (GD) has been associated with significantly impaired functioning. However, the empirical evidence available on gambling phenomenology based on the preferred forms of gambling, including the factors that are responsible for the choice of games and the clinical correlates of the preferred subtypes, is very limited. The few studies comparing clusters of GD patients defined by their preferred gambling activities usually classify games into two broad categories, thus distinguishing between strategic and non-strategic gamblers. The data available suggest that sociodemographic variables (sex, age, level of education and socioeconomic status) and personality traits (mainly sensation/novelty-seeking and impulsivity) may influence gambling activity, and that this preference may be clinically significant. This cumulate evidence may pave the way for a better characterization of the GD subtypes, and may help to design solid, well-founded prevention and treatment programs that take into account the individual variability in patients' clinical profiles.