Online problem gambling: clinical implications considering etiological profiles

Online gambling has emerged as a significant public health challenge, with multiple psychological and contextual factors contributing to the development and maintenance of gambling behavior. This narrative brief review aims to discuss the pathways model, a theoretical framework that categorizes distinct etiological profiles of individuals with problem gambling. The model offers insights for more personalized therapeutic interventions by identifying specific characteristics and vulnerability factors associated with each profile. The paper further explores the structural and situational characteristics of different gambling modalities, highlighting how specific design features contribute to their heightened addictive potential. Clinical implications are presented, focusing on the need for individualized treatment plans adapted to each gambler profile. Future directions are discussed, particularly the importance of tailoring interventions to the Brazilian mental health care context, considering its public health structure and the demand for capacity-building among professionals. The review highlights the relevance of integrating assessment, early identification, and targeted interventions as key strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of online gambling and to improve health outcomes.