Abstract
The purpose of this project is to construct a comprehensive, clinical picture of pathological gambling. It includes an extensive literature review to demonstrate the extent of knowledge regarding pathological gambling that the state of California’s mental health clinicians, second year Master of Social Work (MSW II) mental health stipend students, and the general public hold. The sample consisted of 14 participants from each of the three previously listed groups making for a sample size of 42 participants. The method for analysis used in this study was a descriptive research design, and the tool used to collect data was a multiple choice and true or false answer questionnaire composed of 20 questions. Data was collected from both Sacramento and Yolo Counties. Clinicians in this study were statistically more knowledgeable than the MSW II students and general public on the subject of problem and pathological gambling. However, the MSW II sample did not demonstrate more knowledge than the general public. In spite of some statistically significant differences between clinicians, MSW II student’s, and the general public, study data inferred a general lack of in-depth understanding of this issue of problem and pathological gambling. It is vital for the social work profession and the general public to invest more education and interventions to address this increasingly critical issue.