Expectations of the effects of nicotine on gambling behavior

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nicotine is commonly consumed while gambling and its use among those who gamble has been associated with gambling harms. Individuals’ expectations of the effects of substances (e.g. alcohol, cannabis) have been associated with gambling harms. The present study explored the expected effects of nicotine while gambling using a sample of individuals who gamble at least weekly (n = 472), recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Respondents reported their nicotine use, gambling behaviors, and their perceived likelihood of experiencing various effects of nicotine while gambling. All nicotine expectation items were significantly and positively associated with one another and were significantly and positively associated with gambling harm. At least 75% of the sample reported that all nicotine expectations were at a least ‘a little likely’, including expectations that nicotine would reduce adverse psychological states, improve their cognitive performance, and increase their chances of winning while gambling. Additionally, participants who reported past month nicotine use endorsed expectations that nicotine would affect their gambling with a significantly greater perceived likelihood than those who did not. The present study demonstrates that expectations for the effects of nicotine while gambling are common and should be considered by clinicians when treating individuals experiencing gambling problems who consume nicotine.