Phenotypes associated with problematic online gaming and gambling: A clustering approach among young adults.

Background and Aims: Internet gambling has recently grown in popularity, but relatively little is known about how online and the combination of online and offline (mixed) gambling are associated with gambling disorder (GD) and related problems. The present research examined in a cohort study sample of young Swiss men how their gambling activities and gambling-related problems differed across the spectrum from offline to online gambling.Sample: A general-population based sample from the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF), consisting of 5,352 young Swiss men (mean age 28.26 years old).Measures: The spectrum from exclusively offline to almost exclusively online (>90% of gambling money spent online) gambling was measured using one question about the proportion of gambling money spent online. Total money gambled and time spent on gambling were also assessed. GD severity (range 0–9) was measured using items reflecting the nine DSM-5 GD criteria. The number of gambling-related problems (e.g., financial difficulties, range 0–10), other addictive disorders and mental health problems were also inquired about.Methods: We estimated a generalised linear model using a count model (negative binomial link function) for GD severity and gambling-related problems associated with the amounts and proportions of money gambled online and offline.Results: The number of GD criteria were associated with money gambled online (IRR [95%CI] = 2.81 [2.43, 3.24]) and offline (IRR = 2.68 [2.40, 3.00]). This was also found for the number of gambling-related problems (IRR = 2.43 [2.13, 2.79] and IRR = 2.89 [2.59, 3.23]). Compared with exclusively-offline gamblers, mixed gamblers (26–90% of money gambled online) showed the highest levels of GD symptoms and gambling-related problems, followed by the almost-exclusively-online gamblers (≥91% money gambled online) and, overall, these associations were still significant after adjustment for overall involvement in gambling (time spent and money gambled). Levels of other addictive disorders and mental health problems were higher among mixed gamblers than among offline-only gamblers, but levels among almost-exclusively-online gamblers were not.Conclusions: Symptoms of gambling disorder and gambling related problems are highest among gamblers engaging in both offline and online gambling. Prevention efforts need to target the combination of offline and online gambling.

Background/Objectives: Problematic online gaming and gambling tend to co-occur. The exact mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and the potential effects of gender differences remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the early clustering patterns of problematic online gaming and gambling in a community sample of young adults without a lifetime history of psychiatric treatment. Methods: Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using partial correlations and Bayesian networks. Results: Altogether, 1441 individuals (aged 18–40 years, 51.4% females) participated in the survey. Both problematic online behaviors were weakly interrelated, suggesting that they serve as distinct constructs. Men’s networks appeared to be more complex and had significantly higher global connectivity. Moreover, men and women differed with respect to the specific nodes that bridged both constructs. In men, the bridge nodes were “being criticized because of betting or being told about gambling problems”, “loss of previous interests due to gaming”, “deceiving other people because of gaming”, and “health consequences of gambling”. Among women, the bridge nodes were “feeling guilty because of gambling”, “loss of previous interests because of gaming”, “social consequences of gaming”, and “continued gaming problems with other people”. In men, the strongest edge was found between “borrowing money/selling anything to gamble” and “financial problems because of gambling”, while in women, the strongest edge appeared between “betting more than afforded to be lost” and “tolerance symptoms of gambling”. Conclusions: The findings indicate that problematic online gaming and gambling tend to emerge in different ways among men and women. Therapeutic interventions should be planned considering gender differences.

Still Not on the Radar: Adolescent Risk and Gambling, Revisited

Problematic engagement in online gaming and gambling has been linked to a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral risk factors, yet the mechanisms underlying the severity of these behaviors remain underexplored within high-risk populations such as first-year university students. This study aimed to identify variables associated with internet gaming disorder (IGD) and online gambling disorder (OGD), and to examine potential mediating mechanisms influencing the severity of these addictive behaviors through path analysis. A total of 273 first-year undergraduate students participated in the study. IGD and OGD measures, cognitive distortions, impulsivity, emotion regulation, risk of social media and internet use and psychological distress were analyzed. 32.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.0% to 38.2%) reported problematic gaming use and 1.8% (95%CI: 0.2% to 3.4%) met criteria for IGD. Problematic OGD was identified in 7.0% (95%CI: 3.9% to 10.0%) participants, and 2.2% (95%CI: 0.5% to 3.9%) met criteria for OGD. Path analysis showed that: (a) IGD severity was primarily associated with male gender, higher use of social media and the internet, cognitive biases, and difficulties in emotion regulation; (b) OGD severity was mainly associated with male gender and gambling-related cognitive biases; and (c) the relationships of the students’ gender and age with IGD and OGD severity were mediated by cognitive biases, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and use of social media and the internet. Cognitive processes, emotional mechanisms, male gender and frequent social media use constitute key targets for early detection and preventive interventions among first-year university students.

The relationships between cognitive reappraisal and problem gambling have been widely studied in different contexts. However, previous research findings remain inconsistent. This discrepancy might be attributed to the effects of interactions between cognitive reappraisal and other risk factors for problem gambling. Using moderation models, this study examined the association between impulsivity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, cognitive reappraisal and problem gambling in a sample of Malaysian gamblers. A total of 149 community gamblers (103 males, 46 females; mean age = 32.18) completed an online questionnaire. Problem gambling was measured with the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS); cognitive reappraisal was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Cognitive Reappraisal Subscale (ERQ-CR); impulsivity was measured with the Short-UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale (SUPPS-P); and gambling-related cognitive distortions were measured using the Gambling Related Cognitions Scale (GRCS). The results revealed impulsivity and gambling-related cognitive distortions as significant predictors of problem gambling. At high levels, impulsivity and cognitive distortions are significant moderator variables that strengthen the association between cognitive reappraisal and problem gambling. These findings demonstrate that reappraisal skills could exacerbate problem gambling severity amongst impulsive or self-deceptive gamblers. Future research with larger and more representative samples is needed to validate and generalise these findings.

Online gambling and suicide: Gambling with lives

Online gambling has demonstrated a significant and growing impact on overall gambling involvement. To examine online gambling practices and associated problems, we conducted surveys with national samples of Internet users in several European countries. The objective of this paper is to provide a portrait of online gambling practices and problems in five European countries (i.e., France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland) with different online gambling regulatory systems. This paper is the first presenting national comparisons of online gambling practices. Participants reported on their gameplay patterns, demographic characteristics, gambling-related problems, gambling frequency, average spending on different online gambling activities, and offline gambling participation over the past 12months. The Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to assess the severity of gambling problems in relation to online gambling (Ferris & Wynne, 2001 in The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final report, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2001). Pairwise logistic regressions examined the association between problem gambling and sociodemographic variables as well as gambling patterns and problem gambling. In all countries except Italy, the most popular online gambling activity was lotteries with nearly three quarters of participants reporting participation. The prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling was high in all countries with Poland reporting the highest prevalence and Switzerland the lowest. Gamblers who participated in gambling activities other than lottery were more likely to experience gambling-related problems. The rates in the present study are well above the levels usually found in surveys. High online gambling frequency, high spending, and participation in multiple online gambling activities were significantly associated with experiencing gambling-related problems.

Correlates of At-Risk/Problem Internet Gambling in Adolescents

Background and aim:Although problem gambling typically involves substantial distress, few seek face-to-face treatment. In Norway, problem gamblers can participate in a governmental supported internet- and telephone-based intervention programme. The current study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of this programme in terms of gambling behaviour, gambling-related cognitions and mental health in a one group pre-test post-test design with a follow-up assessment.Methods:The sample consisted of the 67 participants who completed the intervention programme within a one-year timeframe. Gambling behaviour (SOGS-R), gambling-related cognitions (GBQ) and mental health (SCL-90-R) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention and at a 6−12 months follow-up. A total of 25 (37.3%) participants completed the follow-up assessment. T-tests were conducted to investigate development in gambling behaviour, gambling-related cognitions and mental health from pre-intervention to post-intervention and follow-up.Results:The analyses showed a significant reduction in gambling behaviour, gambling problems, gambling-related cognitive distortions and mental health symptoms from pre-intervention to post-intervention and follow-up. The corresponding effect sizes for the reductions in gambling and gambling-related cognitive distortions were very large, while the effect sizes for the reductions in mental distress were moderate.Conclusion:The internet/telephone programme appears to have several positive outcomes including reduction in gambling behaviour, gambling problems, gambling-related cognitive distortions and symptoms of mental disorders both in the short and long term. Another positive outcome of participation appears to be a lowered threshold for seeking additional treatment. The current study entails, however, important limitations, and future studies should investigate the outcomes of the programme while including a control group.

The Internet has become a major means of accessing a variety of gambling activities. As a result, there is concern that the Internet may provide more opportunities for consumers to engage in problematic gambling behaviours. The current study examined factors related to Internet gambling and problem gambling in a university student sample (N = 325). Measures included the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the DSM-IV-TR-Based Questionnaire, the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, and a questionnaire examining Internet gambling behaviours and trust. Internet gamblers (n = 53) reported significantly higher levels of trust in Internet gambling sites than non-Internet gamblers (n = 182) and non-gamblers (n = 90). Among Internet gamblers, significant predictors of problem gambling included level of trust in Internet gambling sites, negative effects of this activity on academic achievement and class attendance, and alcohol consumption while gambling on the Internet. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Problematic online behaviors and psychopathology in Australia

Gambling has become increasingly normalized in Spain, with 49.3% of the population participating and high engagement among youth, particularly online. Despite legal restrictions, some studies have reported that over 20% of adolescents aged 14-19 reported gambling in 2022. These findings raise concerns about gambling disorder, which affects 4.7% of Spanish youth and is linked to other mental health problems. Factors such as advertising and the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this trend. This study, part of the GAMBL-OUT project, examines gambling behaviors among young people in Aragon, Spain, focusing on prevalence, advertising exposure, post-COVID vs. pre-pandemic comparisons, and factors associated with problem gambling, while comparing high school and university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and March 2024 with 617 participants aged 16-25 from high schools, vocational centers, and universities. Measures included sociodemographic variables, gambling behaviors, advertising exposure, and psychological constructs. Standardized tools included the Problem Gambling Severity Index, Gambling Related Cognitions Scale, Gambling Motives Questionnaire, and UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale. Nearly 60% of participants had gambled, 78.4% of whom had done so in the past 12months. The overall prevalence of problem gambling in our sample was 3.5%. Among university students, 64.6% had gambled and 3.4% showed signs of problem gambling, which does not represent a significant increase compared to 2019 data. University students post-COVID reported significantly lower exposure to gambling advertisements and less knowledge of betting venues and websites, despite stable levels of preventive information. Although lifetime gambling increased (65.3% vs. 58.1%), riskier behaviors such as sports betting, online gambling, and microtransactions decreased. University students showed greater gambling participation and online awareness, while high school students showed higher impulsivity and stronger gambling intentions. Regression analyses identified enhancement motives, predictive control, negative urgency, and peer influence as factors associated with problem gambling. Gambling remains a prevalent issue among youth in Aragon, with problem gambling rates stable over time. Despite reduced advertising exposure, the normalization of gambling persists. Findings support the need for age-specific, psychologically informed interventions addressing both individual vulnerabilities and social contexts.

In recent years, India has seen a rise in online gambling due to its partial legalization, leading to an increase in online casinos and gambling platforms. This shift has brought about growing concerns about online gambling addiction, particularly among adolescents. One significant health issue associated with this addiction is hypertension, which has been observed in several young individuals struggling with gambling behaviors. The neurobiology of gambling addiction involves the dysregulation of brain reward pathways, specifically those linked to dopamine and the prefrontal cortex, which affect impulsivity, decision-making, and stress responses. This case series examines the neurobiological and physiological consequences of online gambling addiction in adolescents, highlighting the link between chronic stress, altered brain function, and hypertension. Management strategies include a multidisciplinary approach, combining behavioral therapy to address addiction, pharmacological treatments for hypertension, and counseling for stress management. Preventive interventions are crucial, focusing on early identification and screening of at-risk adolescents, psycho-education on gambling risks, and promoting healthy coping mechanisms to reduce impulsivity and stress. Findings suggest that addressing the neurobiological roots of addiction and implementing preventive measures can help reduce the incidence of hypertension and related health issues in adolescents. Effective policy-making should emphasize early screening, stricter online gambling regulations, public education, and better access to mental health services to combat gambling addiction and its associated health risks.

Online gambling companies claim that they are ethical providers. They seem committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices that are aimed at preventing or minimising the harm associated with their activities. Our empirical research employed a sample of 209 university student online gamblers, who took part in an online survey. Our findings suggest that the extent of online problem gambling is substantial and that it adversely impacts on the gambler’s mental and physical health, social relationships and academic performance. Online problem gambling seems to be related to the time spent on the Internet and gambling online, parental/peer gambling and binge drinking. As our findings show that there are harmful repercussions associated with online gambling, we argue that companies in this controversial sector cannot reach the higher level of CSR achieved by other industries. Nevertheless, they can gain legitimacy on the basis of their CSR engagement at a transactional level, and so, by meeting their legal and ethical commitments and behaving with transparency and fairness, the integrity of the company can be ensured. We also argue that current failures in the implementation and control of CSR policies, the reliance on revenue from problem gamblers’ losses, and controversial marketing activities appear to constitute the main obstacles in the prevention or minimisation of harm related to online gambling. As online gambling companies must be responsible for the harm related to their activities, we suggest that CSR policies should be fully implemented, monitored and clearly reported; all forms of advertising should be reduced substantially; and unfair or misleading promotional techniques should be banned. The industry should not rely on revenue from problem gamblers, nor should their behaviour be reinforced by marketing activities (i.e. rewards). We realise, however, that it is unrealistic to expect the online gambling industry to prioritise harm prevention over revenue maximisation. Policy makers and regulators, therefore, would need to become involved if the actions suggested above are to be undertaken. CSR is paramount to minimise harm and provide a healthier user experience in this business sector, but it also poses marketing dilemmas. We support a global collaborative approach for the online gambling industry, as harm related to gambling is a public health issue.

Internet gambling is undergoing a massive worldwide expansion. The relationship between the convenience, anonymity, and the 24-hour availability of Internet gambling and problem gambling in young people presents a serious concern. This study explored general gambling behavior, including Internet gambling (with and without money), problem gambling, and risk-approach motivation in a sample of university students aged 18 to 20 years. University undergraduates (N = 465) in two urban universities completed in-class paper-and-pencil questionnaires concerning Internet gambling, risk taking, and a checklist of the DSM-IV criteria for problem gambling. Overall, 8.0% of participants reported past-year gambling for money on the Internet, with significantly higher rates among males (11.8%) than females (0.6%). Based on DSM-IV criteria, 3.7% of respondents were classified as problem gamblers (i.e., endorsed 3 or more items). There were higher rates of problem gambling among those who had gambled on the Internet, and students who had gambled on the Internet had higher risk-approach scores. The results of this study suggest that students who have gambled on the Internet have greater risk-taking motivation than students who have not gambled online, and those classified as problem gamblers have greater risk-taking motivation than non-gamblers. Results also suggest both higher risk taking scores and classification as a high risk-taker predict online gambling. Gambling on the Internet may be harmful for some individuals; young males, those with high risk-approach motivation, and, most certainly, those already exhibiting problem gambling behaviors.