Biography

Shane W. Kraus is a licensed clinical psychologist, associate professor of psychology, and director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at UNLV. He is an internationally recognized researcher whose work focuses on addictive behaviors; psychopathology (the study of mental or behavioral disorders); co-occuring mental health conditions, particularly gambling disorder; substance use disorders, and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD).  

A major focus of Kraus's research examines the rapid expansion of sports betting, online gambling, and emerging forms of wagering, including prediction markets. His work investigates why some individuals develop gambling-related problems, how digital gambling technologies influence behavior, and the implications of increased gambling accessibility for public health. He is particularly interested in gambling-related harms among young adults, U.S. military personnel, and veterans, as well as strategies to improve screening, prevention, and treatment.

Kraus has also made significant contributions to the scientific understanding of compulsive sexual behavior disorder and problematic pornography use. He participated in the World Health Organization's working group that helped develop diagnostic guidelines for CSBD in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, Kraus's research integrates clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral approaches to better understand addiction and translate scientific findings into evidence-based clinical practice, public health initiatives, and policy.