No evidence for increased genetic influence on gambling

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Author(s): Slutske, Wendy S.

Journal: Twin Research and Human Genetics

Year Published: 2018

Date Added: August 18, 2018

This study examined the relative influences of genetics and the environment on gambling in 1962 versus 2002. In 1962, gambling was largely non-commercial or illegal in the United States. In 2002, gambling had become legal and commercial in nearly every state. The researcher examined data from two studies with same-sex twin pairs that took place in 1962 and 2002.

There was an increase in gambling rate from 1962 to 2002. But there were no differences in the relative influence of genetics on gambling in 1962 versus 2002. At both time points, genetics did not appear to contribute to whether a person gambled. All of the differences in whether a person gambled were mainly due to environmental factors. These included environmental factors that were shared between family members and those that were unique to the individual.

Citation: Slutske, W. S. (2018). Has the genetic contribution to the propensity to gamble increased? Evidence from national twin studies conducted in 1962 and 2002. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 21(2), 119-125. https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2018.7

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2018.7

Keywords: biological factors ; environment ; family environment ; gambling ; genetics ; twin studies

Topics: Biological Factors ; Family and Friends ; Gambling Environment ; Information for Operators

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Biological - Genetic Inheritance

Response Rate: (1) 79% and (2) between 89-92%

Study Design: Observational: Cohort

Geographic Coverage: United States of America

Study Population: Two samples: (1) 17-year-old same-sex twin pairs (N=839), and (2) 18- to 26-year-old same-sex twin pairs (N=477)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were from: (1) the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying twin study conducted in 1962; and (2) Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health conducted in 2001-2002.