Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions
Abstract
Gambling-related harm exists along a continuum ranging from low-risk engagement to severe gambling disorder, with the greatest clinical and societal burden concentrated among individuals with more severe presentations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as a leading psychological treatment for problem gambling and gambling disorder, with evidence demonstrating reductions in gambling disorder severity, gambling behavior, and related psychological processes. However, translating this evidence into consistent and effective clinical practice remains challenging. This paper synthesizes key issues addressed in a special issue focused on advancing CBT for gambling disorder. Three interrelated challenges are highlighted: (1) heterogeneity in CBT techniques across research and clinical settings, which limits clarity regarding active treatment components; (2) the high prevalence of comorbidity and broader psychosocial impairments, necessitating integrated and personalized approaches to assessment and intervention; and (3) low treatment uptake and high attrition, which constrain the overall public health impact of CBT. Contributions within the special issue illustrate emerging strategies to address these challenges, including the identification and demonstration of core CBT techniques, the integration of comprehensive assessment and transdiagnostic interventions, and the use of scalable and engagement-focused treatment methods such as digital platforms and motivational enhancement. Collectively, these advances suggest that optimizing CBT for gambling disorder will require a shift toward more flexible, mechanism-informed, and implementation-sensitive models of care. Future work should prioritize integrating evidence-based techniques with personalized case formulation and strategies to enhance engagement to improve both clinical outcomes and real-world impact.
Publication Title
Cognitive and Behavioral Practice
Recommended Citation
Pfund, R., Rodda, S., & Weinstock, J. (2026). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Gambling Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2026.05.006
