Gambling Harm Research Articles

Illusions of control: A quasi-experiment comparing skill-based and traditional slotmachines.

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are a significant source of gambling spend due to their widespread use. Skill-based gambling machines (SGMs) represent an innovative adaptation, merging EGMs' chance-based rewards with video game-like skills. This study aimed to explore the appeal and behavioural consequences of playing SGMs in comparison to traditional reel-based EGMs, particularly focusing on illusions of control, betting behaviour, and the subjective experience of gamblers. Participants (N = 1,260) were recruited online and engaged in an online task simulating either an SGM or a reel-based EGM, with outcomes represented to influence their survey compensation. The study examined the effect of SGMs relative to EGMs on bet size, persistence, enjoyment, illusionsofcontrol, game immersion, and the influence of demographic and gambling problem severity. SGMs particularly appealed to younger adults, regular EGM players, and people with more gambling problems. Despite identical payout structures, people assigned to play SGM showed greater illusions of control, believing in the influence of skill on game outcomes and that practice could improveresults. However, there was no significant difference in overall betting intensity between SGM and EGM players, although specific demographic groups showed faster betting speeds in SGMs. SGMs, despite not inherently encouraging higher betting intensity, attract vulnerable groups and create illusions of control, posing new regulatory challenges. The visual and interactive features of SGMs, while appealing, might contribute to these perceptions, indicating a need for careful regulation and further research on their long-term impacts on gambling behaviour and harm.

Associations between loot box purchasing and gambling behaviours, financial problems, and low mental wellbeing in a household sample from a British island, a cross-sectional study

Abstract Aim This study estimated the prevalence of loot box purchasing and associated sociodemographic factors in a general population of a British island, and explored relationships between loot box purchasing and gambling behaviours, financial problems, and mental wellbeing. Subject and methods A cross-sectional survey was undertaken using representative household and supplementary convenience samples with (n = 1,234) residents of a British island aged 16 + years. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to assess gambling harm. Financial problems in the past year were defined as having been behind with payments for expenses. The Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale was used to measure mental wellbeing. Purchasing loot boxes in the past year was measured via self-report as: ‘In the last 12 months, have you purchased in-game loot boxes (e.g. weapons, armour, players for a virtual sports team)?’. Analyses were performed using χ2 and binary logistic regressions. Results 5.9% of participants purchased loot boxes in the past year. There was no significant association between purchasing loot boxes and PGSI score. After controlling for sociodemographics and PGSI score, those who purchased loot boxes in the past year were 3.39 (1.42–8.11; p < 0.01) times more likely to experience financial problems, and 2.99 times (1.46–6.13; p < 0.01) more likely to have low mental wellbeing, compared to those who didn’t purchase loot boxes. Conclusion Findings in the current study suggest that purchasing loot boxes is associated with increased odds of experiencing financial problems and low mental wellbeing, independently of gambling behaviours.

Let’s Be Honest: Adolescents Speak Up on How to Better Protect Young People from Gambling Harm

AbstractThe importance of safeguarding young people from harmful gambling is widely acknowledged, but limited research has sought adolescents’ perspectives on strategies to provide this protection. The current study addresses this gap in understanding. Eighty-nine Australians aged 12–17 years, classed as either at-risk/problem gamblers, non-problem gamblers or non-gamblers, participated in qualitative interview and/or online community conditions. Themes extracted from the data on the things participants believe should be implemented to achieve this aim include open and honest advice from parents; schools-based education that is meaningful, authentic and based on lived experience; truth and transparency in advertising; social marketing that reaches and informs youth; and governments to regulate the gambling and gaming industries into acting ethically and not exploiting young people. At-risk/problem gambler adolescents were able to offer more detailed suggestions on strategies that would protect young people from gambling harm, frequently drawing on their own personal experiences or the stories they heard from others. Multifaceted strategies are required to help adolescents make informed decisions about gambling. Developing and implementing such strategies to protect minors from gambling harm requires a cohesive effort and commitment to addressing this public health issue. Recommendations on how regulators, industry, parents and other stakeholders may contribute to this effort are discussed.

“All you’ve got to do is stop”: A Qualitative Examination of Gambling Stigma and Discrimination from the Perspective of Lived Experience

People with lived experience have drawn attention to gambling stigma as a harm in itself, justifying discrimination and exacerbating other harms. The gambling establishment’s response has reproduced individual responsibility by reducing stigma to a barrier to help-seeking. More recently, adapting to critiques of individual responsibility, the gambling establishment has expanded the issue to one of services and society. This paper identifies the structural dynamics that drive gambling stigma and discrimination from the perspective of lived experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults in Great Britain who had experienced gambling harm (n = 40). Several key themes were identified: (1) Harmless fun and individual responsibility; (2) Comparison with substance use; (3) The role of money; (4) Lack of parity in government policy; (5) Stereotypes of “typical” gamblers. The findings show the fundamental driver of stigma is the way commercial gambling functions and is enabled to function by the state, thus perpetuating the very conditions producing stigma in the first place. Stigma-reduction strategies that focus on changing individual behaviour or public information campaigns that tell people to get help early are insufficient: they are just another version of “responsible gambling,” where the individual is expected to do everything. Change requires addressing the unique features of gambling harm, stigma and discrimination, and the position the U.K. government allows commercial gambling to occupy.

Current approaches to the identification and management of gambling disorder: a narrative review to inform clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand.

Gambling disorder is a recognised psychiatric disorder in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) and is classified as an addiction alongside alcohol and substance use disorders. The DSM-5 describes a past-year timeframe, episodic or persistent specifiers, early or sustained remission specifiers, and three gambling disorder severity specifiers (mild, moderate and severe). Although anyone can develop gambling disorder, there are known risk factors. In studies involving general adult populations, the likelihood of developing the disorder varies with the type of gambling, and is particularly high for internet gambling, casino table games and poker machines. Australia and New Zealand have shifted the focus of gambling disorder to the identification of gambling harm, in recognition that efforts targeting the prevention of harm may be more effective as they potentially influence a larger segment of the population. Temporal categories of gambling harm (crisis harms versus legacy harms) affect help-seeking and need for treatment. Crisis harms often motivate people to change their behaviour or seek help, whereas treatment addresses legacy harms, which emerge or continue to occur after gambling behaviour ceases. The evidence base and clinical guidelines recommend cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing but there are many gaps in our understanding of treatment for gambling disorder, including an absence of high quality evaluations that assess treatment effectiveness over the longer term, especially for treatment delivered in community settings. There is also an urgent need to understand how, why and for whom treatment works so that interventions can be optimised to individual needs, thereby facilitating client engagement. Because of limited access to health care and poor retention in treatment, in recent years there has been an increase in treatment choices in the form of internet therapies and smartphone applications.

Methodological and Conceptualisation Issues in the Measurement of Gambling Harm

Abstract Purpose of Review In this paper, we review recent developments in the conceptualisation and measurement of gambling harm. Recent Findings We review the strengths and limitations of gambling-harm measures, including the Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS) and 7-item Domain- General Harm Screen (DGHS-7). We also review evidence concerning the distribution of harm across the risk continuum. The paper shows that there is consensus around the principal domains of harm and that there are now reliable and valid measures to index general levels of harm, but that further development may be required to capture more nuanced assessments of the severity and types of harm. Summary We argue that burden-of-harm studies which show a high concentration of harm in lower risk groups are of good quality, but that important methodological issues remain. These include: the sensitivity of these estimates to measurement differences; the need for more consideration of the severity rather than the prevalence of harm ‘instances’; and, whether life-time problem gambling or legacy harms need to be taken into account when assessing the status of lower risk gamblers.

“It’s [gambling] obviously not regulated that well”: insights into Aboriginal peoples’ views on gambling regulation in the Northern Territory of Australia

Abstract Aim This study is the first in-depth qualitative study that has provided insights into Aboriginal (All participants in this study identified as Aboriginal and thus we have not included any reference to the Torres Strait Islander peoples in this paper.) people’s views on current gambling policy and legislation in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Subject and methods In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with a targeted selection of participants. The sample comprised 29 participants, aged 18+ years, weekly and nonregular gamblers, and those negatively affected by others’ gambling. An open coding technique (a combination of inductive and deductive analyses) was used for data analysis. Appropriate ethics approval was also obtained. Results Participants described gambling as a revenue-generating product for the government and the gambling industry. Hence, their role in influencing the regulation of gambling for public benefit was debated. Participants provided practical suggestions that the government and the gambling industry could adopt to inform gambling regulation to minimise harm from gambling among Aboriginal people and the wider community in the NT. The suggestions included establishing stricter regulations relating to the licensing and opening hours of venues, limiting bet size and restricting the availability of gaming machines at venues. Participants also encouraged the reinstatement of mandatory formal dress codes at venues and the creation of health promotion resources such as advertisements and awareness campaigns tailored to the needs of the local Aboriginal people. Conclusion Both community-wide and targeted approaches are required to regulate and reduce gambling harm among Aboriginal people in the NT. Although both are important, having more explicit preventive approaches in place may eliminate the need for downstream interventions and strategies.

Expectations of the effects of nicotine on gambling behavior

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.

Digitalisation of gambling harm? Gambling consumption, negative consequences, and clinical characteristics among Swedish help-seekers

Gambling is connected to a range of harms and negative consequences. Gambling is also evolving at a fast pace, particularly in digital environments. Understanding the effects of this on-going change and digitalisation of gambling markets requires systematic measuring of gambling consumption patterns, clinical characteristics, and gambling-related harms.The current study compares two cohorts of help-seekers for gambling in Sweden (2019; 2023), recruited via the Swedish national helpline. The aim is to assess harms and consumption across the two cohorts at a time of increased offer of digital gambling in Sweden. We used eight different screens to measure gambling-related behaviours and consequences, including the Gambling Disorder Identification Test (GDIT). Results were analysed using descriptive statistics, and differences across the two cohorts were tested for statistical significance.The results show that across 2019–2023, gambling consumption has intensified. Online EGMs are by far the most prevalent form of gambling among help-seekers. We also found that the experience of co-morbidities as well as most gambling-related harms were common in both cohorts, with some statistically significant increases in 2023. Harms were more commonly experienced amongst those who engaged in online EGM gambling in comparison to those who did not.The results suggest that the digitalisation of gambling and gambling products appears to be associated with a variety of harmful consequences. The results also show the importance of systematic and comprehensive measurement to capture different severity levels of harms and their wide range amongst those who gamble.

Understanding mediated sports consumption by Irish children: a qualitative study exploring their exposure and understanding of gambling marketing, risks and harms

BackgroundGambling marketing communications create a public health risk by increasing the normalisation of gambling in sports. In a context where broad level studies report significant underage gambling, currently no evidence exists on how these communications are received by children in the Republic of Ireland (hereafter Ireland) and Northern Ireland. To build this evidence base and provide granular detail below broad level data, this study explored the sport consumption habits and views of Irish children (aged 14–17 years) on their exposure, awareness and perceptions of the relationship between sport and gambling.MethodsDrawing on a constructivist approach to data collection, 6 face-to-face focus groups were staged with a total of 51 youth sport consumers from both sides of the border region on the island of Ireland.ResultsFour main themes were established. First, mediated sport consumption was predominantly via mobile social media. Second, we found that their exposure to gambling marketing was high and while frequently seen through social media channels it was also prevalent in peer-to-peer conversations and on the main street. Third, we found mixed responses on their perceptions about gambling and sport. While many felt that sport and gambling were a good fit, they were aware of the financial risks involved. Few children understood the wider social risks with gambling harm. Fourth, children were sceptical of claims made in gambling communications. These findings highlight concerns about how exposure to gambling marketing is impacting children’s views on sport and on gambling. These views need to be taken into consideration when broadcasters and sport organizations are entering into commercial associations.ConclusionsGambling marketing is noticed by children watching mass and social media, and in the towns in the border regions of the island of Ireland. Our study provides children’s viewpoints on this topic which complements the larger quantitative studies in Ireland and Northern Ireland that highlight the growing prevalence of children and gambling. This study not only extends the literature on the exposure, awareness and perceptions of children on the island of Ireland but provides crucial evidence to public health advocates in this region demonstrating the pervasiveness of gambling communications in and around children’s spaces.

Not always as advertised: Different effects from viewing safer gambling (harm prevention) adverts on gambling urges

Public concern around gambling advertising in the UK has been met not by government action but by industry self-regulations, such as a forthcoming voluntary ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship in Premier League soccer. “Safer gambling” (harm prevention) adverts are one recent example, and are TV commercials which inform viewers about gambling-related harm. The present work is the first independent evaluation of safer gambling adverts by both gambling operators and a charity called GambleAware. In an online experiment, we observed the change in participants’ (N = 2,741) Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) scores after viewing either: a conventional financial inducement gambling advert, a gambling operator’s safer gambling advert, an advert from the GambleAware “bet regret” campaign, an advert from the GambleAware “stigma reduction” campaign, or a control advert that was not about gambling. Relative to a neutral control advert, GUS scores increased after viewing a financial inducement or an operator’s safer gambling advert. In comparison to the neutral control condition, GUS score changes were similar after viewing a bet regret advert, but showed a significant decrease after viewing a stigma reduction advert. Those at higher risk of harm reported larger decreases in GUS after watching a bet regret or stigma reduction advert. Overall, this study introduced a novel experimental paradigm for evaluating safer gambling adverts, uncovered a potential downside from gambling operators’ safer gambling adverts, and revealed variation in the potential effectiveness of charity-delivered safer gambling adverts.

Accessibility, neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and expenditures on electronic gambling machines: a spatial analysis based on player account data

BackgroundGambling and its harmful effects on human health and well-being represent a significant public health concern in many countries, with electronic gambling machines (EGMs) recognized as one of the most detrimental forms of gambling. Previous research has established an association between EGM accessibility, expenditure, gambling harm, and the socioeconomic status (SES) of neighborhoods. However, there is limited understanding of the direct impact of SES and EGM accessibility on individual player expenditures. Prior estimations of expenditure often rely on self-reported data or venue-level revenue statistics. This study uses high spatial resolution socioeconomic data together with individual-level account-based location and expenditure (point of sales) data (71,669 players, 745 EGM venues) to explore the association between EGM accessibility and neighborhood SES and to examine whether the EGM expenditure of neighborhood residents is associated with EGM accessibility and neighborhood SES.Data and methodsPlayer account data include information on the home location and expenditure of the entire EGM gambling population across every EGM venue located in the Helsinki region, Finland. High-resolution (250 × 250 m) grid-level data on socioeconomic variables were used to obtain the local socioeconomic conditions of the players. EGM accessibility was estimated for every grid cell using a calibrated gravity model derived from the player account data. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and regression models.ResultsFirst, significantly higher levels of EGM accessibility were found in areas with lower local SES. Second, regression analysis revealed that both higher EGM accessibility and lower local SES were associated with higher annual losses per adult. These results, in combination with visual and spatial autocorrelation analyses, revealed that accessibility to EGM gambling is highly concentrated, especially in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods with higher levels of EGM expenditure.ConclusionsThe results lay the groundwork for future spatial research on gambling harm, expenditure, accessibility, and SES utilizing detailed account data on the interaction between players and venues. The results underscore the importance of spatial restrictions when regulating EGM accessibility, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations, as a crucial measure for public health and harm prevention. The results also enable targeted gambling harm prevention actions at the local level.

Cryptocurrency Trading, Day Trading, and Gambling Behavior: Examining the Moderating Effects of Financially Focused Self-Concept and Gambling Motives.

Cryptocurrency and day trading have grown in popularity over the past decade following the creation of the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, in 2009. These activities share important features with gambling, including risking money on an uncertain outcome, a chance of monetary rewards, and the potential to experience harm (e.g., financial or relationship problems). However, little is known about cryptocurrency and day trading engagement in the adult population, including associations with gambling behavior, harm, and psychological factors that might moderate these relationships. We analyzed cross-sectional data for n = 822 adults from an online panel in the U.S. to examine: (1) the extent to which cryptocurrency trading, day trading, and gambling are associated, (2) relationships between cryptocurrency trading, day trading, and higher risk gambling behavior, and (3) whether financially focused self-concept and four types of gambling motives moderate these relationships. We found moderate to strong positive intercorrelations between cryptocurrency and day trading, and gambling behavior, including engagement and risk. We identified significant moderating effects of financially focused self-concept, and coping motives for gambling, on the relationship between cryptocurrency trading and gambling frequency, and between day trading and gambling frequency. For the models predicting higher risk gambling status, the only significant moderators were financially focused self-concept for the day trading model, and the enhancement motive for the cryptocurrency and day trading models. Our results have important implications for understanding interrelationships between gambling-adjacent activities and more traditional gambling forms, as well as the moderating roles of key psychosocial concepts in these relationships.

Awareness and impact of casino responsible gambling/harm minimization measures among Canadian electronic gaming machine players

ABSTRACT Responsible Gambling/Harm Minimization (RG/HM) measures have the potential to reduce population level gambling harms. The present study examines Canadian casino electronic gaming machine (EGM) players’ (n = 2808) awareness of a selection of the available RG/HM measures, and the impact they believed these measures had on their gambling expenditure and enjoyment. The results showed that Canadian casino EGM players were generally aware of most of the measures, with this awareness being significantly higher among at-risk and problem/pathological gamblers. However, these measures had very little perceived impact on their gambling expenditure or enjoyment. Subsequent multivariate analyzes found that a) increased levels of overall awareness of RG/HM measures were related to male gender, younger age, and higher importance of gambling as a leisure activity; b) that decreased perceived expenditure from RG/HM measures were related to younger age, being an at-risk gambler, and the frequency of limit setting in the context of gambling play; and c) increased perceived enjoyment from RG/HM measures were related to lower household incomes. Messages targeted at Canadian casino EGM players who appear sensitive to the potential and actual harms of gambling, and messages relating to limit setting frequency in the context of gambling play, may impact gambling perceptions.

Perceived Impact of Gambling Advertising can Predict Gambling Severity among Patients with Gambling Disorder.

There is growing evidence that gambling advertising disproportionately affects those experiencing more severe gambling harm. Such association has been studied by recruiting gamblers using online panels, by analysing registered users' data from gambling websites, and through surveys and focus group interviews. However, it is thought that these methods tend to overestimate gambling severity. The present study employed a sample of gamblers with a verified gambling disorder diagnosis (N = 210, 7.1% females, Mage = 39.4 years) recruited for a period of under two years at a large public hospital. It examined the relationship between self-reported impact of gambling advertising, gambling preference (strategic versus non-strategic) and gambling modality (online versus in-person). The results indicated that higher perceived impact of gambling advertising predicted higher gambling severity, which supports previous findings obtained from non-clinical settings. However, contrary to what was expected, strategic gambling and online gambling were not associated with higher perceived impact of gambling advertising, even though these groups are believed to be exposed to more gambling marketing and advertising from gambling operators. The study aligns well with available scientific evidence proposing further restrictions on gambling advertising regulation due to their disproportionate impact on those already experiencing gambling harm.

Gambling Harm-Minimisation Tools and Their Impact on Gambling Behaviour: A Review of the Empirical Evidence.

The harms accompanying disordered gambling are well documented. Additionally, there is growing attention to the harms that arise from people who gamble heavily but do not meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Accordingly, there has been an increasing interest in the effectiveness of consumer protection tools for consumers of gambling products. Subsequently, there is a need to properly evaluate the evidence for their effectiveness. This review aimed to conduct a narrative synthesis of empirical studies to identify gaps, weaknesses, and strengths in the existing evidence for the effectiveness of harm minimisation tools available to people who gamble. This review includes studies published between January 2015 to July 2022 and comprises 55 peer-reviewed studies for final synthesis. Findings reveal that while more research is needed to examine the effectiveness of active and passive consumer protection tools, uptake of tools is low in part because users view them as tools for individuals already experiencing gambling harm as opposed to protective tools for all users. Research is needed to determine effective ways of communicating the value of consumer protection tools for gambling.

Probing the Role of Digital Payment Solutions in Gambling Behavior: Preliminary Results From an Exploratory Focus Group Session With Problem Gamblers.

Technology has significantly reshaped the landscape and accessibility of gambling, creating uncharted territory for researchers and policy makers involved in the responsible gambling (RG) agenda. Digital payment solutions (DPS) are the latest addition of technology-based services in gambling and are now prominently used for deposit and win withdrawal. The seamless collaboration between online gambling operators and DPS, however, has raised concerns regarding the potential role of DPS platforms in facilitating harmful behavior. Using a focus group session with problem gamblers, this study describes a preliminary investigation of the role of DPS in the online gambling context and its influence on players' gambling habits, financial behavior, choices of gambling environment, and the overall outcome of gambling subjective experiences. A total of 6 problem gamblers participated in a one-and-half-hour focus group session to discuss how DPSs are integrated into their everyday gambling habits, what motivates them to use DPS, and what shifts they observe in their gambling behavior. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the empirical evidence with a mix of inductive and deductive research approaches as a knowledge claim strategy. Our initial findings revealed that the influence of DPSs in online gambling is multifaced where, on the one hand, their ability to integrate with players' existing habits seamlessly underscores the facilitating role they play in potentially maximizing harm. On the other hand, we find preliminary evidence that DPSs can have a direct influence on gambling outcomes in both subtle and pervasive ways-nudging, institutionalizing, constraining, or triggering players' gambling activities. This study also highlights the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of online gambling, and it proposes a preliminary conceptual framework to illustrate the sociotechnical interplay between DPS and gambling habits that ultimately capture the outcome of gambling's subjective experience. Disguised as a passive payment enabler, the role of DPS has so far received scant attention; however, this exploratory qualitative study demonstrates that given the technological advantage and access to customer financial data, DPS can become a potent platform to enable and at times trigger harmful gambling. In addition, DPS's bird's-eye view of cross-operator gambling behavior can open up an opportunity for researchers and policy makers to explore harm reduction measures that can be implemented at the digital payment level for gambling customers. Finally, more interdisciplinary studies are needed to formulate the sociotechnical nature of online gambling and holistic harm minimization strategy.

P.A.V.I.A. Study: Pervasiveness and Associated Factors of Video Slot Machine Use in a Large Sample of Italian Adolescents.

Video slot machines (VSM) are considered a particularly harmful gambling format; however, scant data is available on their use among underage Italian individuals. Two surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2022 involving 7,959 underage high school students (57.8% female) in Pavia, Northern Italy. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lifetime experience and current regular (at least monthly) use of VSM, according to family, educational and behavioral factors. Overall, participants reporting lifetime VSM experience were 13.2% (95% CI: 12.5 - 13.9), 15.2% (95% CI: 14.0-16.4%) in 2018, and 12.0% (95% CI: 11.1-13.0%) in 2022. Current regular VSM users were 1.4% (95% CI: 1.1-1.7) in total, 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.6%) in 2018 and 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1-1.8%) in 2022. VSM lifetime experience and current regular use were significantly more frequent in males (aORs: 1.55 and 4.81, respectively), students who failed a year (aORs: 2.07 and 3.44), or with daily gambling parents/siblings (aORs: 2.83 and 4.86). Lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances was significantly directly associated with lifetime VSM use (aORs between 2.64 and 4.75); monthly alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances use was significantly directly associated with current regular VSM use (aORs between 4.47 and 18.21). Sexting and voluntary self-injury were significantly more frequent among VSM lifetime/current regular users. VSM use, which is directly associated with other risky behaviors, may be pervasive among Italian minors. Such public health concern calls for legislative enforcements and integrated multidisciplinary health promotion and prevention strategies.

Video slot machine use in adolescence: the role of self-efficacy beliefs, current and expected personal fulfillment at the social and educational level

IntroductionVideo slot machines (VSMs), which are available on electronic gaming machines and online platforms, are widely recognized for their high potential to trigger harmful gambling behaviors. Yet, the psychological factors associated with VSM use among adolescents remain poorly investigated. MethodsWe estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of current regular (at least monthly) VSM use according to self-efficacy beliefs regarding everyday problem-solving ability, along with current and expected personal fulfillment at the social, and educational level among 7,959 Italian high school students aged 15–17. ResultsCurrent regular VSM use was reported by 108 students (1.4%). Notably, this behavior was more frequently reported by those with either particularly high or low self-ratings in problem-solving ability, current and expected social fulfillment, as well as by those with lower self-ratings in both current and expected educational/work fulfillment. ConclusionsThese findings underscore that during adolescence, gambling behaviors are associated with diverse psychological profiles, each entailing distinct vulnerabilities. Effectively addressing adolescent gambling necessitates a comprehensive approach, with a strong emphasis on educational support. Given the increasing challenges in curbing underage exposure and access to the most harmful gambling formats, this study offers valuable insights for the design of health promotion and prevention strategies.

Influences on gambling during youth: comparisons between at-risk/problem, non-problem and non-gambling adolescents in Australia

ABSTRACT Gambling patterns among young people are diverse, yet factors that affect changes in their gambling behaviour as they mature remain poorly understood. This study explores gambling trajectories and related sources of influence during childhood, early adolescence and later adolescence, and amongst adolescents at different levels of gambling risk. Qualitative interviews and online communities with 89 Australians aged 12–17 years explored their gambling experiences, from childhood to the present. Reflexive thematic narrative analysis revealed that children often learn how to gamble through their parents. Parents, peers, sports interests, advertising and simulated gambling continue to transfer gambling knowledge and skills throughout adolescence. Gambling is further reinforced through social rewards and is highly normalised through advertising. At-risk/problem gambling adolescents tended to report positive early memories of gambling, but also harmful parental gambling. They reported having friendship groups where betting is highly normalised. They purposefully honed their betting knowledge to demonstrate skill, and also gambled with in-game items (skins). Conversely, non-gamblers reported very little exposure to parental gambling, mirrored their parents’ negative attitudes to gambling, were unlikely to have friends who gambled, and reported less interest in professional sport. Reducing youth gambling and gambling harm requires measures to tackle multiple layers of influence.