This study was undertaken by the SA Centre for Economic Studies with the Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide.

The former Ministerial Council on Gambling has nominated six national research priorities for gambling research. Gambling Research Australia (formerly known as the National Gambling Research Working Party) managed the research agenda. This report was prepared in response to the first of six national research priorities for gambling research: National definitions of problem gambling and consistent data collection.

The research project involved two major tasks:

a) Conducting a literature review of definitions of problem gambling, gambling-related harm, gambling screens and measurements issues, and b) Obtaining feedback on the material developed in the literature review.

On the basis of the review and stakeholder responses, the researchers suggested the following definition of problem gambling: “Problem gambling is characterised by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.”