Gambling Opportunities Research Articles

Are Video Games a Gateway to Gambling? A Longitudinal Study Based on a Representative Norwegian Sample

The scope and variety of video games and monetary gambling opportunities are expanding rapidly. In many ways, these forms of entertainment are converging on digital and online video games and gambling sites. However, little is known about the relationship between video gaming and gambling. The present study explored the possibility of a directional relationship between measures of problem gaming and problem gambling, while also controlling for the influence of sex and age. In contrast to most previous investigations which are based on cross-sectional designs and non-representative samples, the present study utilized a longitudinal design conducted over 2 years (2013, 2015) and comprising 4601 participants (males 47.2%, age range 16–74) drawn from a random sample from the general population. Video gaming and gambling were assessed using the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, respectively. Using an autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation model, we found a positive relationship between scores on problematic gaming and later scores on problematic gambling, whereas we found no evidence of the reverse relationship. Hence, video gaming problems appear to be a gateway behavior to problematic gambling behavior. In future research, one should continue to monitor the possible reciprocal behavioral influences between gambling and video gaming.

APPLICATION OF THE DESTINATION APPROACH AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GAMBLING POLICY AND LAW IN SOUTH AFRICA

Gambling in South Africa, which the National Gambling Act sanctions, continues to be a flourishing economic activity. The policy approach to gambling has always been to keep gambling venues a distance away from communities because of the negative consequences of gambling, also referred to as problem gambling and the negative moral stigma associated with gambling. The goal of this policy, which is also referred to as the “destination approach” is to circumvent impulse gambling, which may lead to problem gambling. The destination approach can be credited with the development and flourishing of casino gambling resorts throughout South Africa and at present, such resorts serve as artificial tourist attractions.However, the rationale for maintaining the destination approach in gambling policy and the law is no longer sustainable for a number of reasons. Firstly, the increasing incidence of gambling problems, secondly, there is little or no research that indicates the efficacy of the destination approach in curbing problem gambling and thirdly, the emergence of new gambling platforms such as interactive/online gambling means that gambling is conveniently available at the click of a mouse. Furthermore, there is growing evidence of casino operators relocating to areas with a high frequency of customers, such as shopping malls, which undermines the destination approach.Nevertheless, both the National Gambling Policy of 2016 and the National Gambling Amendment Bill of 2016 persist in maintaining the destination approach as a means of limiting accessibility to gambling opportunities and ultimately minimising problem gambling. This is despite the existence of strategies for the prevention of problem gambling. It is the author’s submission that maintaining and applying the destination approach in gambling policy and law, not only hinders competition in the gambling industry but also poses a threat to the enjoyment of gambling as a recreational economic activity, as listed in Schedule 4 of the Constitution. Destination gambling has little or no effect on problem gambling.

Do Simulated Gambling Activities Predict Gambling with Real Money During Adolescence? Empirical Findings from a Longitudinal Study.

As technology has developed, the international gambling market has changed markedly in recent years. The supply of internet-based gambling opportunities has become ever more significant. At the same time, the introduction of new gambling opportunities always brings a demand for evidence-based scientific evaluation, with regard to the associated risks of addiction. Simulated internet gambling, which is the focus of this study, represents a relatively new product group located at the interface between gambling and computer gaming. Concerns have been raised in scientific literature, especially with regard to the adolescent age group, as to whether participation in simulated internet gambling directly promotes recruitment to the world of monetary gambling, as defined in the gateway hypothesis. The research design was based on a standardized, representative longitudinal survey (over a 1-year period) with a total of 1178 school pupils from Northern Germany (M=13.6years; 47.5% male). It must be borne in mind that 12% of the adolescents belonged to the subgroup of "onset gamblers" and first reported experience with monetary gambling at the second stage of surveying. Logistic regression analysis demonstrates that this migration process is fostered by (1) participation from home in simulated gambling on social networks and (2) significant exposure to advertising (relating to both simulated and monetary gambling). Within the subgroup of simulated internet gamblers, variables such as particular patterns of use (including breadth and depth of involvement with simulated internet gambling, certain motives for participation, and microtransactions) do not serve as significant predictors. Despite this, important needs for action for the purposes of prevention and research can be identified.

The effect of online gambling on gambling problems and resulting economic health costs in Germany.

Problematic and pathological gambling have emerged as substantial problems in many countries. One potential accelerating factor for this phenomenon during recent years is the Internet, which offers different kinds of games and online applications for gambling that are faster, more attractive due to a variety of design and marketing options, less costly and potentially more addictive than terrestrial gambling opportunities. However, the contributing role of the Internet for problematic gambling has not been analyzed sufficiently so far and remains inconclusive. The current study is based on a representative sample with 15,023 individuals from Germany. With a new concept of assessing online gambling with its relative fraction of total gambling activities and a control-function approach to account for possible endogeneity of online gambling, we estimate the impact of online gambling on gambling behavior while additionally controlling for a rich set of important covariates, like education, employment situation and family status. The results show that, on average, replacing 10% of offline gambling with online gambling increases the likelihood of being a problematic gambler by 8.8-12.6%. This increase is equivalent to 139,322 problematic gamblers and 27.24million € per year of additional expenditures in the German health sector. Our findings underpin the necessity to keep online gambling restricted to prevent further developments of problematic and pathological gambling in Germany.

Il risultato degli studi sulla popolazione generale e sui giovani

This paper is aimed at shading the light on the diffusion and characteristics of gambling in Italy. In a path departing from the economic entity of the phenomenon, concerning both generated income for the State and expenditure by gamblers, through the description of the increase in the offer of gambling opportunities, the paper presents meaningful epidemiological data describing the current features of the phenomenon in Italy and provides the necessary backdrop to interpret it. The results of two studies, European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD®Italia), and Italian Population Survey on Alcohol and other Drugs (IPSAD®), conducted by the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council, form the basis for an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of gambling both among adolescent students aged 15-19 and in the general population (15-64). The use of specific screening tests allow to provide an insight into the diffusion of problematic forms associated to this activity. The description presented in the present paper comprises a detailed analysis of individual and environmental characteristics associated to gambling behaviours and different gamblers’ profiles. Evidences provided can greatly contribute to informing evidence-based prevention policies and interventions, whose effectiveness is being displayed. Indeed, statistical analysis presented in this paper show how the increase in prevention activities implemented in school is associated to a decrease in the share of young at-risk and problem gamblers.

Already at the Table: Patterns of Play and Gambling Involvement Prior to Gambling Expansion.

During 2011, the Governor of Massachusetts signed a bill to allow casino gambling in the state (Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2011). As a result, two resort casinos will begin operations during 2018 and 2019; a smaller slots parlor began operations during June 2015. Prior to this expansion, gambling was widely available in Massachusetts, through the state lottery, off-track betting, and gambling opportunities available in neighboring states. Within this context, it is important to understand the patterns of gambling involvement in the population prior to gambling expansion. The current study examined gambling involvement, patterns of play, and gambling-related problems prior to gambling expansion among a sample of 511 Massachusetts residents who were members of a statewide Internet panel. To measure patterns of play, we asked questions about past-year games played and frequency of play. To measure breadth of involvement, we assessed the number of different games played. To measure depth of involvement, we measured time spent gambling, amount wagered, and amount won or lost. Principal component analysis revealed four play pattern components accounting for more than 50% of the variance in game play frequency. Multiple regression analyses revealed that component scores composed of casino gambling and skill-based gambling (e.g., poker, sports) variables uniquely contributed to the prediction of gambling-related problems, even when depth of involvement was controlled. However, the addition of breadth of involvement to the model resulted in a model where no set of variables contributed significantly, suggesting a complex relationship among play patterns, depth, and breadth of involvement. The study established discrete and distinguishable gambling play patterns associated with gambling-related problems and identified groups of individuals potentially vulnerable to the effects of gambling expansion.

Gambling, geographical variations and deprivation: findings from the adult psychiatric morbidity survey

Gambling problems are prevalent in the UK, especially in the most deprived boroughs of the country. Individual-level characteristics may exist alongside a social and geographical gradient. The study aimed to establish whether living in specific geographic areas increases problem gambling likelihood. It used data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. It adopted a twofold categorization distinguishing recreational from problem/pathological gambling. It used the 2004 Overall Index of Multiple Deprivation to measure deprivation of the district of residence, and primary sampling units, based on postcode sectors, to take into account area characteristics in multi-level mixed-effects regression models. The determinants of recreational gambling operated solely at the individual level. These included male sex, stable relationship and employment, though a number of clinical variables were also important: impulsivity, hazardous use or dependency on alcohol, and current smoking. In contrast, an appreciable proportion of the variance in problem/pathological gambling was explained by area-level clustering. Unlike recreational gamblers, problem/pathological gamblers appear to cluster in specific areas. Thus, there are grounds for restricting the location and density of gambling opportunities and for providing selective prevention programmes targeting geographic areas characterized by contextual determinants.

Gender comparison of online and land-based gamblers from a nationally representative sample: Does gambling online pose elevated risk?

The expansion of online gambling opportunities calls for better comprehension of online gambling, including relevant gender specific correlates. This study compared online and land-based gamblers among males and females separately, utilizing a nationally representative Finnish survey sample of 18–74 year olds. Online gamblers were younger than land-based gamblers and had full-time working status more often than land-based gamblers, with partial indication of land-based gamblers' monthly income being lower. Online gambling was associated with participation in computer or video gaming more strongly than with land-based gambling. Results show that the strongest predictors of online gambling common to both genders were younger age, computer gaming and gambling on multiple gambling types. Risky alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking were not associated to gambling mode when controlling for other factors. Results indicate that particularly for females online gambling may be related to higher relative expenditure and at-risk and problem gambling, providing implications for tailored interventions. The continued study of subgroups of gamblers is necessary to comprehensively understand the altering gambling milieu.

Assessing Problem Gambling: a Review of Classic and Specialized Measures

Purpose of Review The rapid expansion of legalized gambling opportunities over the past 20 years has generated interest in problem gambling and gambling disorder. This review will provide an overview of classic and newer instruments in the field.

Risk Factors of Adolescent Pathological Gambling: Permissive Gambling Culture and Individual Factors

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the relationships between types of gambling activity, problem behaviors, and self-esteem with adolescent problem gambling in Hong Kong. From a sample of 2,258 students aged between 12 and 17, study results showed that playing Poker and gaming in Amusement Game Centers (entertainment venues with gaming machines) had the strongest predictive value, implying a gambling-permissive culture regarding gambling as an entertainment, with parental and societal support and availability of gambling opportunities, has more impact on adolescent problem gambling than other personal risk factors like problem behaviors and low self-esteem. Prevention strategies at individual and societal levels are discussed.

Funding of Gambling Research: Ethical Issues, Potential Benefit and Guidelines

There has been an unprecedented growth of legalized gambling opportunities in Canada over the past two decades, partly to generate revenues without raising taxes. Unfortunately, for 2-3% of the Canadian population, gambling can become disordered (i.e. develop into a gambling addiction). To help attenuate the harms and prevalence of disordered gambling, all provincial governments earmark a portion of gambling revenues for the prevention, treatment and research into disordered gambling. However, the field of gambling studies has recently come under criticism in the way research is conducted. At the forefront of the criticism is the issue of accepting funding from the gambling industry. We provide an overview of the ethical considerations, potential ethical issues, and the possible benefits of accepting such funding. The aim of the present paper is not to argue for or against accepting industry funding, but rather to delineate the potential ethical issues and benefits related to that acceptance. More importantly, we provide a summary of best practice ethical guidelines, and recommendations to guide in the ethical decision making process in accepting or declining funding from gambling industry. To this end, we use the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists as a framework in which to situate our guidelines and recommendations. Given that Canadian researchers have a long history and continue to contribute valuable knowledge in the field of gambling studies, it is of important for gambling researchers to be aware of the ethical considerations and issues related to funding from gambling industry.

Does destination perception differ based on traveler type? A case of the world gambling capital: Macau

ABSTRACTChina's anti-corruption campaign has become a “new normal” and long-term policy that is affecting the gaming industry in Macau. Mainland Chinese travelers, especially the highly coveted and big-spending VIP ones, are a major contributor to gaming revenues in Macau, but they have sharply reduced their gaming expenditures since China's anti-corruption campaign began. Based on this information, ascertaining Mainland Chinese tourists’ perceived image of Macau is vital work for developing and facilitating better adaption to the policy change. This exploratory study first investigates the destination image of Macau as perceived by travelers from Mainland China. The results showed that Mainland Chinese travelers had a positive perception of gambling opportunities, environmental hygiene, quality of tourism infrastructure, nightlife, and diversity of products for shopping and a negative perception of the convenience of transportation. This study further subdivided Mainland Chinese travelers into three groups based on their travel arrangement [Liu, X., Li, J. J., & Yang, Y. (2015). Travel arrangement as a moderator in image–satisfaction–behavior relations: An investigation of Chinese outbound travelers. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 21(3), 225–236; Morrison, A. M., Hsieh, S., & O'Leary, J. T. (1993). Travel arrangement classifications for European international travellers. In R. V. Gasser & K. Weiermair (Eds.), Spoilt for choice: Decision making processes and preference changes of tourists: Proceedings of the institute of tourism and service economics international conference. November. University of Innsbruck (pp. 221–235). Thaur, Germany: Kulturvel]. The results indicated that all-inclusive packaged (AP) travelers gave lower evaluations to local food, unique European culture, gambling opportunities, and diversified products for shopping much lower than independent (IP) travelers and partial packaged travelers. On the other hand, IP travelers and partial packaged travelers gave lower evaluations to transportation convenience, access to tourism destinations, and communicating with locals than AP travelers. These results should help concerned parties determine the most appropriate strategies for improving Macau's image under the current circumstances.

An examination of internet and land-based gambling among adolescents in three Canadian provinces: results from the youth gambling survey (YGS).

BackgroundWith the rapid proliferation of new gambling technology and online gambling opportunities, there is a concern that online gambling could have a significant impact on public health, particularly for adolescents. The aim of this study is to examine online and land-based gambling behaviour among adolescents in 3 Canadian provinces (Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan) prior to the implementation of legalized online gambling.MethodsData are from 10,035 students in grades 9 to 12 who responded to the 2012–2013 Youth Gambling Survey (YGS) supplement, a questionnaire administered as part of the Canadian Youth Smoking Survey (YSS, 2012) in 3 provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador (n = 2,588), Ontario (n = 3,892), and Saskatchewan (n = 3,555).ResultsOverall, 41.6 % of adolescents (35.9 % of females and 47.4 % of males) had gambled in the past 3 months. 9.4 % of adolescents had gambled online in the past 3 months alone (3.7 % of females and 15.3 % of males). The most popular form of online gambling was online sports betting. Adolescents also engaged in online simulated gambling including internet poker (9.1 %) and simulated gambling on Facebook (9.0 %). Few adolescents participated in online gambling exclusively and online gamblers were more likely than land-based gamblers to engage in multiple forms of gambling. A higher proportion of adolescent online gamblers scored “high” or “low to moderate” in problem gambling severity compared to land-based only gamblers.ConclusionsDespite restrictions on online gambling at the time of the study, adolescents were engaging in online gambling at a significantly higher rate than has been previously found. Adolescents were also using technology such as video games to gamble and free online gambling simulations.

Gambling involvement indicative of underlying behavioral and mental health disorders.

In spite of increased gambling opportunities, risk factors associated with recreational gambling remain poorly understood. This study assessed behavioral risk factors associated with frequency of recreational gambling. Data were derived from the 2013 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Gambling frequency was divided into two or more times per week, 1-4 times a month, less than 10 times in total, and not at all. Health risk behaviors included smoking, drinking, obesity, seat belt use, and sleep patterns. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess relationships between overall gambling participation and gambling frequency and behavioral risk behaviors. Final analytical sample included 3,988 survey respondents. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA. Significant differences exist in the socio-demographic characteristics of recreational gamblers. Highest gambling frequency is associated with increased odds of alcohol consumption (ie, having at least one alcohol drink during the past 30 days) (OR 1.9; p < .05), binge drinking (ie, having five or more alcohol drinks at least once during the past 30 days) (OR 3.7; p < .001), and tobacco use (ie, having smoked at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime) (OR 3.4; p < .001). The odds of having fourteen days of poor mental health are twofold for recreational gamblers who gamble two or more times per week (OR 2.2; p < .05). Differing behavioral and mental health risk factors emerge among recreational gamblers by gambling frequency. Gambling frequency may be a better proxy for assessing the risk of developing gambling related behavioral disorders than overall endorsement of gambling participation.

A Tap on the Shoulder: The Disciplinary Techniques and Logics of Anti-Pokie Apps

A Tap on the Shoulder: The Disciplinary Techniques and Logics of Anti-Pokie Apps

The impact of gambling on rural communities worldwide: A narrative literature review.

Gambling has become a popular activity in both urban and rural settings. Although the prevalence and participation of gambling is well known, little has been reported regarding the impacts of gambling on rural communities. Therefore, a narrative literature review approach was adopted to examine what is known regarding gambling in rural communities. This article describes the prevalence and types of gambling that are popular in rural communities around the world. It identifies the benefits and highlights the potential harm caused by a person’s gambling and the impact this has on families and the wider rural community. There are both benefits and risks associated with increased availability of gambling opportunities. Specific vulnerable groups within rural populations are identified within this context and how different countries respond to rural gambling is explored. A number of strategies based on a public health approach are recommended to ensure that gambling remains as harmless an activity as possible in rural communities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Sociocultural Influences on Gambling and Alcohol Use Among Native Americans in the United States.

Gambling opportunities on and near Native American lands have increased in recent decades; yet there is a lack of research examining the patterns of problem gambling and alcohol abuse among Native Americans in the US. Traditional Native American cultural identity may be a protective factor for problem gambling and alcohol abuse among Native Americans. Telephone interviews were conducted with 415 Native American adults aged 18 years and older across the US. The past-year prevalence of gambling among Native Americans is similar to the rate for non-Native Americans in the US (80 vs. 77%). However, Native Americans have over twice the rate of problem gambling as the US sample (18 vs. 8%). Although Native Americans have a lower rate of past-year alcohol use than the US population (47 vs. 68%), they have a somewhat higher rate of alcohol abuse than their US counterparts (5.5 vs. 4.3%). Logistic regression analysis, with problem gambling as the dependent variable, revealed that lower socioeconomic status is significantly associated with an increased odds of problem gambling for Native Americans. Counter to the hypothesis, the higher the score on the Native American orientation, the higher the odds of being a problem gambler. Further, living by the "White way of life" was associated with a decreased odds of being a problem gambler; and perceived gambling convenience was associated with an increased odds of being a problem gambler. None of the Native American factors was significant in predicting alcohol abuse. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the influence of cultural factors on Native American gambling.

Do Individual Investors Treat Trading as a Fun and Exciting Gambling Activity? Evidence from Repeated Natural Experiments

We hypothesize that individual investors treat trading as a fun and exciting gambling activity, implying substitution between this activity and alternative gambling opportunities. To examine this hypothesis, we study the lottery jackpots and the trading of individual investors in Taiwan. When the jackpots exceed 500 million Taiwan dollars, the trading volume decreases between 5.2% and 9.1% among stocks preferred by individual investors and between 6.8% and 8.6% among lottery-like stocks. The decline in individual buy volume is statistically indistinct from the decline in sell volume. Large jackpots are associated with less trading in options with high sensitivity to volatility

Trends in Gambling Behavior among College Student-Athletes: A Comparison of 2004 and 2008 NCAA Survey Data

Two large samples of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes in 2004 (N = 18,916) and 2008 (N = 17,675) were surveyed about their gambling behavior. A cross-comparison highlighted gambling trends among college-student athletes across the four-year span. Overall, past-year and weekly gambling rates were lower in 2008 compared to 2004. There were no within-gender differences in the proportion of individuals at-risk or meeting criteria for a gambling problem between 2004 (4.0% males, 0.3% females) and 2008 (3.8% males, 0.4% females). Participation rates were higher in 2004 for all gambling activities, except for past-year Internet gambling and sports wagering, which increased in 2008 among males. Across sports, gambling participation was notably highest among golfers of both genders. Collectively, the results suggest that gambling activity among student-athletes is on a downward trend in spite of ongoing expansion of gambling opportunities.

‘King Solomon's mines cannot compare with the money that has been raked in by greyhound racing’: greyhound racing, its critics and the working class, c. 1926–1951

Greyhound racing emerged in Britain in 1926 and, during its first quarter of a century, was subject to institutional middle-class opposition because of the legal gambling opportunities it offered to the working class. Much maligned as a dissipate and impoverishing activity, it was, in fact, a significant leisure opportunity for the working class, which cost little for the minority of bettors involved in what was clearly no more than a ‘bit of a flutter’.