Abstract: Alcoholic intoxication is a major social problem of public health all over the world. It is also related to a complex genetic association. The allele A9 of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1; SLC6A3) was examined for association with alcoholism. The present study determines the distribution of the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3’untranslated region of DAT1 in Pategar community of Dharwad. A group of 100 healthy controls (nonalcoholic) and 100 alcoholic patients were examined and genotyping study was done. The genotyping in individual gender was examined. The four allele frequencies 7, 9, 10 and 11 repeats of the DAT1 40-bp VNTR were detected. The analysis was carried out by using PCR and electrophoresis. The frequency of the allele A9 [f (A9+)] was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the group of alcoholic patients [f (A9+) = 0.52] when compared with healthy controls (nonalcoholic) [f (A9+) = 0.30].The heterozygosity indices were low and varied from 0.090 to 0.390. This research study shows that the frequency of individuals carrying the allele A9 was significantly higher in the group of alcoholic patients compared with healthy controls. The results demonstrate the variability of the DAT1 40-bp VNTR polymorphism in Pategar community, Dharwad.