Excessive Gambling Research Articles

What are escapists made of, and what does it have to do with excessive gambling and gaming?

AbstractResearch shows that escapism and frustration of basic psychological needs are linked with gambling and gaming problems, but an effect of escapism combined with restricted autonomy, competence, and relatedness on excessive gambling and gaming remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify shared characteristics of people who engage in escapist behavior and analyze to what extent the interaction of escapism and basic psychological need frustration predicts excessive gambling and gaming. We conducted a five-wave longitudinal survey with Finnish residents aged 18–75 years (n = 1530, 50.33% male) from April 2021 (T1) to April–May 2023 (T5). Measures included the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the ten-item Internet Gaming Disorder Test, and three escapism-specific questions. We analyzed the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale, sociodemographic controls, and personality traits using multilevel regression models. We found that escapism was related to autonomy frustration, competence frustration, male gender, impulsivity, openness, and having a significant other who has experienced gambling problems. Escapism predicted excessive gambling, and competence frustration moderated this association. Escapism also predicted excessive gaming, and autonomy frustration and competence frustration moderated this association. Research on and treatment of excessive gambling and gaming should consider these underlying factors driving escapism.

Gaming lounges in India afford socially productive gambling: The moral economy and foundations of play in Udaipur, Rajasthan

AbstractWe use ethnographic observations, interviews, and surveys to illuminate video game‐related gambling in India, where players use as currency decorative in‐game weapon covers referred to as skins. We focus on gaming and gambling related to virtual items acquired in the popular shooter game Counter‐Strike: Global Offensive, and our study unfolds among young adults who play in face‐to‐face centers called gaming lounges or zones. We consider how networks of video game players, themselves influenced by familial and societal demands, form moral economies that regulate why video game items are exchanged and how they are evaluated. Further, we use moral foundations theory to clarify ethical plurality in these settings, with tensions between moral demands shaping how and whether skins exchanges are judged to be socially productive or harmful. We show how gaming lounge owners’ personal values, some religiously informed, render emerging adults who play in these settings less at risk of excessive gambling, which is not tolerated either within close‐knit gaming groups or broader society. Overall, our analysis points to the utility of bringing into dialogue moral economy and moral foundations perspectives to uncover the cultural meanings of linked gaming and gambling in this context.

Family History of Pathological Gambling, Related Factors Effects, and Suicidality in Rural Greece

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to understand the family history of people pathologically engaging in gambling in rural Greece along with the factors and effects (suicidal thoughts/attempts) related thereto, according to participants’ perspective. Qualitative in nature, the study was based on 32 semi-structured interviews carried out with adults who attended a Treatment Facility for pathological gambling in Heraklion Crete, in Greece. A past family history of excessive gambling was reported by most of the participants, while in many cases were reported a family history of alcohol misuse. Participants perceived self-characteristics, losses/traumatic experiences, paternal and nuclear family characteristics, work-related problems, peers who also gamble and upbringing practices influenced by culture as principal pathological gambling factors. Participants also reported that pathological gambling has various effects on one’s psychological mood, behavior, and relationship patterns with self and others. Most participants also reported having suicidal thoughts, whereas a few of them mentioned at least one suicide attempt. The study concludes that pathological gambling in the current population is associated with a past family history of excessive gambling or alcohol misuse. Multiple factors also seem to contribute to its manifestation and to such adverse effects, such as suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Online communities as a risk factor for gambling and gaming problems: A five-wave longitudinal study

Online communities are becoming increasingly important in everyday life, providing opportunities for leisure habits and social organization. Some online communities are also considered risky for participants, but longitudinal studies on the potential negative consequences are needed. This social psychological study was grounded in theories of group behavior and social identification. We examined the longitudinal associations between participation in gambling and gaming online communities and excessive gambling and gaming. The role of social media identity bubbles was also considered. We used linear hybrid models and longitudinal data comprising five time points (T1–T5) to analyze within- and between-person associations. Nationally representative data were collected from Finnish respondents aged 18–75 (N = 1530) between 2021 and 2023. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to measure gambling problems, and the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT) was used to measure gaming problems. The Identity Bubble Reinforcement Scale (IBRS) measured involvement in social media identity bubbles. The results indicated that participating in online communities was associated with both gambling and gaming problems at the within- and between-person levels. Interaction analyses showed that these problems were increased among active online community users who were also involved in online identity bubbles. Online identity bubbles play a significant role in the process by which non-problematic leisure activities can become addictive behaviors.

Social Discipline and the Refusal of Poor Relief under the English Old Poor Law, c. 1650–1730

Abstract There has been debate about the extent to which the English old poor law could operate as a system of social discipline. This article looks closely at an almost completely neglected set of sources, petitions by local communities asking to stop (or cut) a pauper’s relief, to assess how far poor relief was used as a disciplinary tool. Taking 182 appeals by Lancashire townships from the Civil War to the appearance of workhouses in the county, it suggests that poor relief operated robustly as a system of labour discipline, but only weakly as a wider tool of behavioural control. There is some evidence that townships wanted to end doles to those engaged in ‘bad’ behaviour, such as excessive drinking, gambling, or insubordination, but such cases were infrequent. Far more important were attempts to stop relief where paupers could work or could support themselves through their own productive assets. In turn, townships’ focus on the ability to work suggests that ‘deserving’ poverty was understood in terms of bodily impotence, whilst the need to restrict poor relief to those who were ‘necessitous’ required officers to engage in close surveillance of the poor and their bodies.

Bias Cuts and Data Dumps

Bias Cuts and Data Dumps

A Meta-Review to Guide Military Screening andTreatment ofGambling Problems.

Excessive gambling can cause substantial biopsychosocial problems (e.g., difficulties with finances, relationships, mental, and physical health). For military Service Members, it can also result in security clearance denial or revocation, failure to achieve promotions, and premature career termination. Recent congressional mandates have obligated the U.S. Department of Defense to screen for problematic gambling, the predictive values of which are a function of (i) problem prevalence and (ii) tool sensitivity and specificity. This meta-review (i.e., systematic review of systematic reviews) on the screening properties of gambling assessment tools and the effectiveness of treatments for gambling disorder is to inform military services on responding to Service Members' gambling problems. EBSCO Discovery Service, PubMed, PsycINFO, Ovid Medline, Social Care Online, Epistemonikos, International Health Technology Assessment, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials electronic databases were searched up to December 2022 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on measurements of adult subclinical or gambling, and interventions targeting individuals with GD. Three and four studies were included in each section of the current meta-review (i.e., assessment tools and treatment). For review 1, the estimated risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews. Thirty-one tools were identified through the three systematic reviews. All had modest sensitivities and specificities; combined with low prevalences in the general SM population, positive results would be incorrect 64-99% of the time. However, if screening were conducted with SMs referred for alcohol problems, a positive result on the best screening tools would be correct 76% of the time. Several commonly used treatment approaches had demonstrated efficacy for GD. The combination of low prevalence of GD and subclinical gambling problems in the general population, coupled with modest sensitivity and specificity, makes screening unfeasible in the general SM population. However, dual-phase screening in higher-prevalence subpopulations (i.e., SMs already identified with substance-abuse or mental-health problems) would be viable. Regarding treatment, several interventions-already used in military healthcare-with extensive empirical track records have been successfully used to treat adults with GD.

Odds of gambling among adolescents: a secondary analysis of the cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs

BackgroundGambling among adolescents is associated with gambling disorder in adulthood. This study investigated factors associated with gambling and excessive gambling in adolescents. MethodsThis secondary analysis of the cross-sectional European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) used nationally representative data from the Irish cohort of the 2019 ESPAD wave. Data were collected between March and May 2019. We included 1949 students aged 15–16 years (946 [48·5%] male, 1003 [51·5%] female), with a response rate of 85%. We calculated past year gambling prevalence as the rate of those who had gambled for money on at least one of four games of chance (slot machines, cards or dice, the lottery, betting on sports or animals) in the past 12 months. An adapted version of the three-item Consumption Screen for Problem Gambling was used to identify excessive gambling (score ≥4). We carried out descriptive and logistic regression analyses using binary covariates with Stata v16.1. We included 19 variables in the multivariable analysis. Ethics approval was granted by Dublin Institute of Technology's Ethics Committee. Non-consent forms were issued to all parents to opt out. FindingsOverall, 447 (23%) of 1949 students gambled in the past year, of whom 45 (10%) engaged in excessive gambling. Using a mutually adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis, past year gambling was associated with alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1·6, 95% CI 1·1–2·2), experiencing serious arguments (aOR 1·4, 1·1–1·9), and trouble with the police (aOR 1·9, 1·2–2·8). Female gender was a protective factor (aOR 0·6, 0·4–0·9). In the univariable analysis, excessive gambling was associated with gaming (OR 2·3, 1·0–5·1), tobacco use (2·1, 1·1–4·2), e-cigarette use (2·1, 1·1–4·1), heavy episodic drinking (2·7, 1·4–5·1), trouble with the police (2·8, 1·5–5·4, p<0·01), and deliberately hurting themselves (2·8, 1·4–5·6). Female gender (OR 0·3, 0·1–0·6) and social media use (0·4, 0·2–0·8) were protective factors. Excessive gambling was also associated with betting on sports and animals (OR 3·6, 1·6–8·4), slot machines (2·9, 1·5–5·8), card or dice (2·4, 1·2–4·6), and online gambling (4·2, 2·0–8·0). InterpretationA large proportion of 15–16 year olds in Ireland have gambled for money in the past year, with one in ten of those having engaged in excessive gambling. This number is likely to be underestimated due to recall and social desirability bias. Reducing the availability, access, and appeal of gambling products in Ireland should be addressed through ongoing gambling reform. FundingInstitute of Public Health.

Mediating role of splitting in relation to attachment styles and shopping addiction.

Shopping can provide a sense of satisfaction and pleasure; however, if a person's excessive involvement in this behavior starts to negatively impact other aspects of their life, similar to other addictive behaviors like excessive internet use, gaming, and gambling, it may be classified as pathological. Given the lack of agreement regarding the classification of excessive shopping tendencies as a separate mental health condition or addictive behavior, taking a socio-emotional approach to explore the psychological factors that precede this behavior, may offer a better comprehension of it. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between attachment styles and excessive shopping behavior, as well as to investigate the potential mediating effect of defense mechanisms like splitting on this relationship. Using convenience sampling, a group of 457 stock market employees (116 female, 341 male) between the ages of 24 and 60 were recruited. The researchers utilized a set of validated psychological questionnaires to assess the employees attachment styles, shopping addiction, and splitting tendencies. The results obtained from both the mediation model and path analysis suggest that attachment styles do not have a direct relationship with shopping addiction. Nonetheless, the study supports the impact of insecure anxious and avoidan attachment styles on splitting. Furthermore, the findings confirm that splitting has a mediating effect on the relationship between attachment styles and splitting. The present study enhanced our comprehension of the subconscious mechanisms underlying shopping tendencies. Specifically, the findings suggest that excessive tendencies towards shopping can be considered a maladaptive response resulting from insecure attachment styles and the unconscious utilization of the splitting defense mechanism.

A process model for responding to casino gambling harm experienced by Chinese migrants

ABSTRACT With commercial casinos proliferating over the past two decades, gambling-related harm has attracted attention in terms of both research and development of treatment strategies. A problematic relationship with gambling has major consequences for gamblers, families, communities, and society. This paper aims to present a better understanding of Chinese migrants’ experiences of responding to casino gambling harm in New Zealand using an interpretive phenomenological approach. Sixteen recent Chinese migrants were interviewed: eight people who self-identified as gambling problematically and eight affected family members. Data analysis incorporated a thematic approach involving multiple readings of interview transcripts and iterative processing of developing themes. The key findings are organized into a model involving four stages: misconnection (pathways into excessive gambling), disconnecting (moving away from casino gambling), reconnection (settling into their new social environment), and rebuilding a ‘natural life’ (a Chinese cultural conception of recovery). This process model helps understanding the Chinese migrants’ experience of responding to gambling harm in a broad social-cultural-historical context.

Determinants of initiation of natural recovery in the case of slot machine abusers

Participating in slot machine games is a growing phenomenon in Romania in the context of the development of this industry. Along with this expansion of participation are the problems associated with the abuse and addiction of these games. This paper explores factors associated with initiating and sustaining the process of natural recovery in the case of this category of addicts. In this context is the present research that aimed to determine the factors that support the motivation for recovery from abusive or addictive gambling in the case of slot machines players. In order to achieve the goals of this research, 21 interviews were conducted with players from the city of Alba Iulia and Sebeş. These interviews allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the motivations and life context of the subjects in which the problem was recognized and the recovery process began. The results obtained in the research showed that the impetus for initiating recovery came according to the results obtained from the participants' need to achieve certain personal goals in life, fulfilling social roles, significant changes in life, and the inconsistency between personal values and excessive gambling.

Student Gambling: Involvement and Prevalence of Problem Gambling among Sports Bettors of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Problem gambling refers to the adverse effects on the gambler, on other individuals, his/her social life or even on the community as a result of the individual’s excessive gambling behaviour. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement, prevalence and counselling implication of problem gambling among student sports bettors of the University of Cape Coast. The study explored the various sub-types of gambling that students are involved in and are prevalent in the University. The Pathways Model of Blaszczynski and Nower was used in identifying subtypes of problem gamblers. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 351 was used from four colleges of the University of Cape Coast. The researchers further used disproportionate stratified sampling technique to draw from each college the number required for the study. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index on a whole recorded Cronbach alpha value of .81. Means, standard deviation and percentages were used in the data analysis. It was found that non-problem gamblers and problem gamblers were most prevalent among the sub-types. Also, students were found to involve in gambling mostly twice or more in a week. On timely basis, 25mins or more were spent on sports betting. It was recommended among other things that a proposed ‘Gaming Research Unit’ under the auspices of the Department of Education and Psychology, should be set up to ensure the screening of students who are low-risk, moderate-risk or problem gambler and referred them for guidance and counselling and also organise gambling educational programmes and awareness seminars in the University of Cape Coast. Keywords: Problem Gambling, Sports bettors, Prevalence, Student gambling, Involvement DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-5-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Longitudinal perspective on cryptocurrency trading and increased gambling problems: a 3 wave national survey study

ObjectivesCryptocurrency trading has gained popularity over the last few years. Trading is facilitated by online platforms that enable 24/7 trading. Cryptocurrency trading is potentially attractive to gamblers, and it may increase their gambling problems. Furthermore, cryptocurrency trading might be a particularly harmful activity for those gambling offshore. We investigated whether cryptocurrency trading predicts excessive gambling over time. We also analyzed how cryptocurrency trading combined with offshore gambling is associated with excessive gambling. Study designThis was a population-based longitudinal survey study. MethodsWe surveyed a sample of Finnish people aged 18–75 years (N = 1022, 51.27% male) at three time points in 6-month intervals: April 2021 (T1), October to November 2021 (T2), and April to May 2022 (T3). Of the original T1 respondents, 66.80% took part in T2 and T3. Outcome measure was excessive gambling using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and the predictor was cryptocurrency trading. We adjusted models for onshore and offshore gambling online, excessive gaming (Internet Gaming Disorder Test), excessive internet use (Compulsive Internet Use Scale), excessive alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and sociodemographic background factors. We used multilevel regression models to investigate within-person and between-person effects. ResultsCryptocurrency trading has increased in popularity over time. Within-person changes in cryptocurrency trading predicted increased excessive gambling. Excessive gambling was also generally more common among cryptocurrency traders. The full model that was adjusted for the number of confounding factors showed that cryptocurrency trading had a within-person effect on excessive gambling. Of the confounding factors, offshore online gambling, excessive gaming, and excessive internet use had within-person effects on excessive gambling. Offshore and onshore online gamblers and excessive gamers showed more excessive gambling than others. Those participants who were both cryptocurrency traders and offshore gamblers showed significantly higher rate of excessive gambling than others. ConclusionsCryptocurrency trading is a risky activity and associated with a higher rate of excessive gambling over time. Such activity is especially risky among offshore online gamblers, who could view cryptocurrency trading as another form of gambling or as a way to make money for gambling. Policymakers and counselors should be aware of the risks of cryptocurrency trading.

Problem Gambling Severity of Students Sports Bettors and Its Relationship among the Dimensions of Study Habits: Implications for Counselling

Gambling is a well-known activity in most nations. Problem gambling as an index of gambling refers to the adverse effects on the gambler, on other individuals, his/her social life or even on the community as a result of the individual’s excessive gambling behaviour. Hence, problem gambling refers to all the harmful behaviours resulting from constant gambling. The purpose of this study was to investigate problem gambling severity and its relationship with the dimensions of study habits of students’ sport bettors in the University of Cape Coast. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A population of 4,172 of level 400 students from four colleges of the university of Cape Coast were used for the study. Using the Krejcie and Morgan table, a fair representation of a population of 4,172 is 351. The researchers further used disproportionate stratified sampling technique to draw from each college the number required for the study. The PGSI items and Essuman Study Habit Inventory recorded Cronbach alpha of .76 and .97 respectively. The ordinal logistic regression was used to determine whether problem gambling severity had any relationship with any of the dimensions of study habits. The findings showed that the dimensions of study habit has a predictive relationship on gambler sub-type. It was recommended among other things that a proposed ‘Gaming Research Unit’ under the auspices of the Department of Education and Psychology should ensure the screening of students who are low risk, moderate-risk or problem gambler and with difficulties in their study habit should be referred for guidance and counselling.

Secrecy, self-blame and risks for social exclusion-Family members' experiences of gambling problems in Japan.

The predominant gambling policy to respond to the adverse consequences of excessive gambling has been the Reno Model, which places the responsibility for gambling-caused problems on gamblers themselves. The newly implemented Japanese gambling policy, which shares basic premises with the Reno Model, focuses on the individual pathology of gamblers. However, this model lacks other critical perspectives: environmental and structural factors. To fully understand the harms caused by gambling; it is important to also pay attention to the negative consequences for affected others. In this brief report, we explore family members’ experiences of gambling problems within the specific context of the Japanese gambling policy. Interviews with family members reveal self-stigma of being bad parents which elicits shame and efforts to maintain secrecy, as well as public stigma involving labeling, isolation, risks of status loss, social exclusion and discrimination. The focus on individual pathology in Japanese legislation as well as in public and professional perception, reinforces self-blame, anxiety, and remorse on the part of affected family members. When contrasted with the lived experiences of gamblers’ family members, the inconsistencies and unreasonableness of the individual pathology paradigm in Japanese gambling policy become evident. It is necessary to shift the focus of gambling policies from individual to socio-political-cultural factors, investigating how these factors influence gambling-caused harm, especially in the Japanese context.

Escapism and Excessive Online Behaviors: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Finland during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Excessive online behaviors refer to harmful or disproportionate use of digital network applications. Such behaviors are likely to be associated with escapist motives. Our aim was to analyze whether escapism predicts excessive gambling, excessive gaming, and excessive internet use over time. A longitudinal sample of Finnish residents aged 18–75 years (n = 1022, 51.27% male) was surveyed at three time points during the COVID-19 pandemic in 6-month intervals: April 2021 (Time 1), October–November 2021 (Time 2), and April–May 2022 (Time 3). Of the original Time 1 respondents, 66.80% took part in the surveys at both Time 2 and Time 3. All surveys included measures for excessive gambling (Problem Gambling Severity Index), excessive gaming (Internet Gaming Disorder Test), and excessive internet use (Compulsive Internet Use Scale). Three escapism-specific questions were used to construct a dedicated escapism variable. Socio-demographic variables, alcohol consumption, and psychological distress were used as controls. The study was conducted with multilevel regression analyses using hybrid models. Our research showed that escapism had strong within-person effects on excessive gambling, B = 0.18, p = 0.003; excessive gaming, B = 0.50, p < 0.001; and excessive internet use, B = 0.77, p < 0.001 over time. The between-person effect of escapism was demonstrated on excessive gaming B = 0.91, p < 0.001, and excessive internet use B = 0.61, p = 0.036. Adverse societal events and uncertain times can manifest in excessive online behaviors motivated by escapism, highlighting a need to focus prevention efforts on healthy coping methods.

Monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on problematic gambling and gaming: an international key informant survey

ABSTRACT This paper reports a qualitative survey of experts in problem gaming and/or problem gambling from 19 countries worldwide on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on problematic gaming and gambling. Twenty-seven problem gaming experts reported (i) no licensing changes, (ii) few existing or newly introduced policies or regulations, (iii) overall increases in gaming, (iv) adverse health-related outcomes, (v) media coverage of gaming and eSports, (vi) limited health service capacity for treatment and prevention, (vii) difficulty in connecting with patients, and (viii) adaptations including transition to telemedicine. Twenty-eight problem gambling experts reported (i) no changes in policies or regulation, (ii) increased activity of off-shore betting companies, and (iii) increases in online gambling, though (iv) decreased expenditure due to closure of land-based gambling venues, (v) adverse health-related outcomes, (vi) some financial benefits from savings, (vii) few and poorly accessible treatment facilities and (viii) transition to telemedicine. There is a need for: guidelines on the prevention and management of excessive gaming and gambling; studies examining the public health consequences of eSports viewing and participation and closure of land-based gambling venues on other forms of gambling; and longitudinal studies in a number of different areas described herein.

Chinese migrants’ experiences of responding to gambling harm in New Zealand

INTRODUCTION: Forming a problematic relationship with gambling has major consequences for gamblers, families, communities, and society. As the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, the Chinese community in particular faces increasing challenges with casino gambling. This paper reports on Chinese migrants’ lived experience of their challenges and needs in responding to gambling harm. METHODS: Sixteen recent migrants (both gamblers and affected family members) from eight families were interviewed. Data analysis comprised a comprehensive thematic approach involving multiple readings of interview transcripts and an iterative development of themes, guided by hermeneutic phenomenological methods. FINDINGS: Participants shared their experiences of pathways into gambling and ways to respond to gambling harm. The key findings are presented as four stages, which can be conceptualised as misconnecting, disconnecting, reconnecting, and rebuilding natural life. CONCLUSION: This article presents qualitative evidence of Chinese migrants in New Zealand’s experiences with excessive gambling and considerations for service providers and policymakers when developing programmes and policies for preventing and minimising gambling harm for this population.

University Students' Reasons and Attitudes Towards Online Gambling and its Implication on Their Lives.

Despite the fact that online gambling is increasing among students in low- and middle-income countries, studies on the reasons and attitudes of university students toward gambling and its associated social, economic, and academic implications on their lives have not been adequately explored in the Ghanaian setting. This study employed an exploratory research design to investigate the reasons and attitudes of students toward online gambling and how online gambling has affected their social, economic, and academic lives on campus. An interview guide was used in soliciting data from fifteen participants. The thematic analytical framework was used to analyze the data. The analysis of the empirical data revealed that the ease of making quick money, the anonymous nature of online gambling and a source of entertainment were the main reasons why participants engaged in online gambling. Again, concerning participants' attitudes towards gambling, most of them were frequent gamblers and gambled four to seven times a week while a few were occasional gamblers who gambled one to three times a month. The study also found that participants who gambled online ended up becoming depressed, had difficulties with sleeping, and barely concentrated in class because of their addictive attitudes towards online gambling. The study further revealed that the academic lives of participants were negatively affected as a result of excessive gambling. The study recommends that the university management should introduce university gambling policies and programmes to regulate gambling among university students and its associated socio-economic and academic implications.

Pharmacological actions of a novel and highly selective D3 dopamine receptor agonist, ML417, in a rodent model of Parkinson’s disease

Since its first use in treating Parkinson’s disease (PD), L‐DOPA has remained the gold standard of therapy for this disorder, defined by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the CNS leading to profound bradykinesia and tremor. The efficacy of L‐DOPA wanes over time and is associated with increasing side effects, including motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Several dopaminergic agonists have also been introduced to treat PD, including pramipexole and ropinirole, which exhibit fewer motor side effects but are associated with impulse control disorders such as excessive gambling and hypersexuality. Notably, the dopamine receptor subtype(s) mediating the therapeutic actions and/or side effects in PD therapy remain unknown. However, the preference of pramipexole and ropinirole for the D3 dopamine receptor (D3R) suggests the involvement of this subtype, although these drugs also activate the D2R at therapeutic doses. Importantly, no drug currently employed to treat PD alters the course of the disease and the discovery of neuroprotective agents remain an unmet need in PD therapeutics. Recently, we discovered a novel, potent and highly selective agonist for the D3R, ML417, that is brain penetrant and was found to protect against 6‐OHDA‐induced neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons (Moritz et al., J. Med. Chem. 63: 5526, 2020). In the current study, we used ML417 to probe the role of the D3R in a rat model of PD. We initially sought to investigate the role of the D3R in ameliorating bradykinesia in a hemi‐parkinsonian rat model induced by 6‐OHDA infusion into the medial forebrain bundle. Using a validated cylindrical treadmill test of locomotion, doses of ML417 up to 20 mg/kg had no effect on improving impairments in walking as assessed by step counts in the hemi‐parkinsonian rats. In contrast, administration of L‐DOPA (6 mg/kg) significantly improves locomotion in the same model. Further, pretreatment with a D3R‐selective antagonist, SB277011A (30 mg/kg), did not attenuate the effects of L‐DOPA in reducing bradykinesia. These results suggest that the D3R does not mediate the anti‐bradykinetic effects of current PD therapeutics. However, we hypothesize that D3R stimulation may be beneficial for the treatment of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesias (LIDs) in PD. To test this, we used a chronic L‐DOPA administration paradigm (12 mg/kg/day for 7 days) to induce dyskinesias in the hemi‐parkinsonian rats. Subsequently, the effects of ML417 and SB277011A were assessed in these animals using an abnormal involuntary movement (AIMs) scoring method. Pretreatment with a single dose of ML417 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the intensity and duration of dyskinesias promoted with a single dose of L‐DOPA (6 mg/kg). Further, co‐administration of SB277011A (30 mg/kg) with ML417 attenuated the anti‐dyskinetic effects of ML417, suggesting that the benefit is D3R‐mediated. Overall, this study implies that D3R stimulation has no therapeutic effect on bradykinesia in PD, however, it may be beneficial in treating dyskinesias arising from L‐DOPA therapy.