Gambling Behavior Among LGBTQ + Individuals: The Role of Gender and Gender Identity.

While past literature suggests that LGBTQ + individuals may be at a greater risk for gambling related-harms and addiction, few studies have specifically looked at gambling behavior among LGBTQ + persons based on gender and gender identity. A study of LGBTQ + individuals in four U.S. States was conducted to assess differences in gender and gender identity for (1) gambling prevalence; (2) gambling behavior based on type and location; and (3) comorbidity with substance abuse and/or other problematic behaviors. Individuals assigned male at birth had greater prevalence of gambling than those assigned female at birth, regardless of current gender identity. Gender identity, on its own, is only significant for certain types of gambling and in some analysis only when combined with gender assigned at birth. Findings suggest that gender assigned at birth has a stronger relationship with gambling prevalence and behavior than adult gender identity.