The clinical characteristics of people who self-refer to a population-based screening program in Spain for gambling disorder

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Author(s): Ferre, Francisco ; Roncero, Marisol ; Szerman, Nestor ; Basurte-Villamor, Ignacio ; Vega, Pablo ; Nieves, Nicolas ; Civeira, Ignacio

Journal: Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: February 20, 2026

Gambling disorder (GD) often co-occurs with other behavioural addictions and mental health concerns. The Adcom program in Madrid, Spain, was designed so that people can self-refer if they believe they have a behavioural addiction. In this study, the researchers examined the clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological characteristics of people who self-referred to Adcom for GD. In addition, predictors of GD associated with online versus offline gambling were assessed. It was found that the majority of people with GD experienced other mental health issues. Many also had another behavioural addiction or substance use disorder. Being born in Spain and excessive internet use were unique predictors of online GD relative to offline GD. These results could inform researchers and clinicians.

Citation: Ferre, F., Roncero, M., Szerman, N., Basurte-Villamor, I., Vega, P., Nieves, N., Civeira, I., & Arango, C. (2025). A population-based screening program provides insights into the characteristics and behaviors of individuals who self-refer for gambling disorder. Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2025.07.002

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2025.07.002

Keywords: behavioural addictions ; gambling disorder ; offline gambling ; online gambling

Topics: Online Gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: Spain, Madrid

Study Population: Adults who self-referred to the Behavioral Addictions Center (Adcom) program in Madrid, Spain, for gambling disorder between July 2022 and August 2024 (n = 265).

Sampling Procedure: Participants for the present study were people who self-referred for gambling issues between July 2022 and August 2024. To be included in the study, participants had to be at least 18 years of age, had requested an AdCom appointment for possible gambling addiction, and provided informed consent. All participants included in this study were evaluated as having a gambling addiction by both MULTICAGE-CAD 4 and the NORC DSM-5 Screening tool for Gambling Problems. Anyone experiencing a mental health disorder, intellectual impairment, or lacking proficiency in Spanish was excluded.

Study Funding:

Funding for this study was provided by Fundación Patología Dual.