The aim of this study was to document the long-term course of disordered gambling through age 45. Another aim was to examine childhood factors and adult outcomes associated with disordered gambling. The results showed that disordered gambling usually occurred as a single episode. Recurrent disordered gambling was not common. Lower childhood socioeconomic status, general intelligence, and self-control predicted disordered gambling in adulthood. In turn, disordered gambling was associated with poorer outcomes in occupation, education, and finance. It also predicted legal problems. But, these associations were markedly reduced or even non-significant after taking into account childhood factors.
