Gambling Studies Research Articles

Configurations of gambling change and harm: qualitative findings from the Swedish longitudinal gambling study (Swelogs)

Background: Gambling participation and problems change over time and are influenced by a variety of individual and contextual factors. However, gambling research has only to a small extent studied gamblers’ own perceptions of transitions in and out of problem gambling.Method: Qualitative telephone interviews were made with 40 gamblers who had repeatedly participated in the Swelogs Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study. The framework approach was used for analyses, resulting in a multiple-linkage typology.Results: Our analyses revealed four configurations of gambling: (a) stable low frequency with no or minor harm, (b) decreasing high frequency with occasional harm, (c) fluctuating with moderate harm, and (d) increasing high frequency with substantial harm. Natural recovery and return to previous levels of gambling intensity were common. Change occurred either gradually, as a result of adjustment to altered personal circumstances, or drastically as a consequence of determined decisions to change. Personal and contextual factors such as psychological well-being, supportive relationships, and meaningful leisure activities played a part in overcoming harmful gambling and keeping gambling on a non-problematic level. Gambling advertising was commonly perceived as aggressive and triggering.Conclusions: The experience of harm is highly subjective, which should be taken into account when developing preventive measures. Considering the fluid character of gambling problems, help and support should be easily accessible and diversified. To repeatedly be interviewed about gambling and its consequences can contribute to increased reflection on, and awareness of, one’s own behaviours and the societal impacts of gambling.

Pilot Study of Problem Gambling in Specialized Substance Use Disorder Treatment—High Lifetime Prevalence of Problem Gambling in Opioid Maintenance Treatment Patients

Problem gambling is over-represented in patients treated for substance use disorders, but substance-specific prevalence of problem gambling is rarely reported. In specialized addiction treatment facilities for opioid maintenance treatment and for alcohol and prescription drug dependence, respectively, 129 patients were screened for problem gambling using the NODS-CLiP. The lifetime prevalence of problem gambling was markedly higher in opioid maintenance treatment (61 percent) than in alcohol and prescription drug dependence treatment (11 percent, p < 0.001). When controlling for gender and age, problem gambling remained significantly associated with opioid maintenance treatment. The present study demonstrated a very high prevalence of lifetime problem gambling in opioid maintenance treatment patients. This calls for active screening for problem gambling in substance use disorder patients, and mainly in treatment for opioid dependence.

A Latent Class Analysis of Gambling Activity Patterns in a Canadian University Sample of Emerging Adults: Socio-demographic, Motivational, and Mental Health Correlates.

This analysis of gambling habits of Canadian university students (ages 18-25) dovetails two recent developments in the field of gambling studies. First, the popularity of latent class analysis to identify heterogeneous classes of gambling patterns in different populations; second, the validation of the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (with financial motives) among university students-specifically to understand both how and why emerging adults gamble. Our results support a four-class model of gambling activity patterns, consisting of female-preponderant casual and chance-based gambling groups, and male-preponderant skill-based and extensive gambling groups. Each class shows a specific combination of motives, underscoring the necessity for nuanced responses to problem gambling among emerging adults. More specifically, gambling for the skill-based group appears primarily to be a source of thrill and a way to cope; for the chance-based group, gambling appears but one symptom of a set of wider issues involving depression, anxiety, substance use, and low self-esteem; while extensive gamblers seem to seek excitement, sociality, and coping, in that order. Only the chance-based group was significantly more likely than casual gamblers to be motivated by financial reasons. Situating our analysis in the literature, we suggest that interventions for the predominantly male subtypes should address gambling directly (e.g. re-focusing excitement seeking into other activities, instilling more productive coping mechanisms) while interventions for predominantly female subtypes should address low self-esteem in conjunction with depression, substance abuse, and problematic levels of gambling. We conclude future research should focus on links between self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, and financial motives for gambling among female emerging adults.

Design and Methods of the New Zealand National Gambling Study, a Prospective Cohort Study of Gambling and Health: 2012–2019

This paper describes the design, sampling, recruitment, and data analysis of the prospective, nationally representative New Zealand National Gambling Study. Particular aspects of the study were critical for its success as a longitudinal epidemiologic study, making its methodology beneficial for replication in other jurisdictions. At baseline (2012), 6251 adults were interviewed and followed-up in 2013, 2014, and 2015. An additional cohort of 106 moderate-risk/problem gamblers interviewed at baseline (2014–2015) and follow-up (2015–2016) increased the number of these groups in the study. Measures included gambling commencement, gambling frequency, gambling risk levels, at-risk and problem gambling development (incidence), comorbidity, problem gambling cessation, and relapse. Future stages include a follow-up assessment in 2019 and a qualitative study. The study design enables assessment of population and individual level changes and transitions over time, identification of risk and protective factors, and comparisons with previous similarly designed prospective studies. Methods for enhancing response rates and retention are discussed.

Cultural competence in working with the Arab Australian community: a conceptual review and the experience of the Arab Council Australia (ACA) gambling help counselling service

Although Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities participate less in gambling than the general population, those who gamble are more likely to show signs of disordered gambling (Moore and Ohtsuka International Gambling Studies, 1, 87–101, 2001; Raylu and Oei Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 1087–1114, 2004; Yamine and Thomas The impact of gaming on specific cultural groups, Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority, Melbourne, 2000). Research data on gambling problems and interventions in the Arab Australian community are extremely scarce. Therefore, this article will present an overview of the Arab Australian community and cultural issues regarding gambling within the Arab Australian community. Identifying these issues is important to work effectively with Arab Australians clients and those from other CALD backgrounds. The article also presents a conceptual review of peer-reviewed research articles on cultural competence in working with the Arab clients, the overview of Arab migration history to Australia and a summary of recent events that suggest a tension between Arab and non-Arab Australian communities. Observations and experiences that were encountered during the gambling counselling service operating in the Australian Arab community in New South Wales are also discussed. The research data to validate the effectiveness and positive impact of cultural competence are still in its early stages. However, a small number of community education resources have been available for working with the Arab community. From the data in annual reviews on the Arab Council Australia gambling counselling service, it was identified that cultural beliefs and expectations influence risk-taking decisions, identification of gambling issues, and preference of help seeking within the client’s social network. Further, culturally-specific sensitive issues related to political and global security events, which in turn influenced openness and willingness for the help-seeking of the Arab Australians, were identified. In conclusion, we propose that recognising diversity within the Arab Australian community is a prerequisite for increasing cultural competence and cultural sensitivity for helping professionals working with Arab Australians.

The prevalence, incidence, and gender and age-specific incidence of problem gambling: results of the Swedish longitudinal gambling study (Swelogs).

To estimate the prevalence, incidence and gender and age-specific incidence of problem gambling in the Swedish adult population. Longitudinal cohort study with linkage to register data. Sweden. Stratified random sample aged 16-84years at baseline (n=8165) re-assessed a year later (n=6021). Problem gambling (life-time and past 12months) was measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised (SOGS-R). Past 12-month (current) problem gambling was also measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). The SOGS-R combined current pathological and problem gambling prevalence rate (PR) was 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.8-2.4] at baseline and 1.7 (1.4-2.0) at follow-up, approximately half the corresponding life-time estimates.[Correction added on 22 Dec 2017, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, the SOGS-R combined current pathological and problem gambling prevalence rate (PR) was incorrectly reported as being double the corresponding life-time rate. It has been corrected in this version.] PGSI combined current problem and moderate-risk gambling PRs were 2.2 (1.9-2.5) at baseline and 1.9 (1.6-2.2) at follow-up. Combined incidence rates (IRs) were 1.0 (0.8-1.3) (SOGS-R) and 1.4 (1.1-1.7) (PGSI), with more than three-quarters being new cases. While first-time IRs did not vary by gender, males had a higher relapse IR and proportionately more females were new cases. The young adult IR was more than double the older adult IR; similar proportions were new cases. The actual incidence of problem gambling relapse in Sweden is likely to be higher than estimated. The profile of problem gambling in Sweden is likely to change over time, with increased proportions of women and older adults.

Measuring Gambling Reinforcers, Over Consumption and Fallacies: The Psychometric Properties and Predictive Validity of the Jonsson-Abbott Scale.

Traditionally, gambling and problem gambling research relies on cross-sectional and retrospective designs. This has compromised identification of temporal relationships and causal inference. To overcome these problems a new questionnaire, the Jonsson-Abbott Scale (JAS), was developed and used in a large, prospective, general population study, The Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs). The JAS has 11 items and seeks to identify early indicators, examine relationships between indicators and assess their capacity to predict future problem progression. The aims of the study were to examine psychometric properties of the JAS (internal consistency and dimensionality) and predictive validity with respect to increased gambling risk and problem gambling onset. The results are based on repeated interviews with 3818 participants. The response rate from the initial baseline wave was 74%. The original sample consisted of a random, stratified selection from the Swedish population register aged between 16 and 84. The results indicate an acceptable fit of a three-factor solution in a confirmatory factor analysis with ‘Over consumption,’ ‘Gambling fallacies,’ and ‘Reinforcers’ as factors. Reinforcers, Over consumption and Gambling fallacies were significant predictors of gambling risk potential and Gambling fallacies and Over consumption were significant predictors of problem gambling onset (incident cases) at 12 month follow up. When controlled for risk potential measured at baseline, the predictor Over consumption was not significant for gambling risk potential at follow up. For incident cases, Gambling fallacies and Over consumption remained significant when controlled for risk potential. Implications of the results for the development of problem gambling, early detection, prevention, and future research are discussed.

A study of pathological gambling and its correlates among patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders in North India

ABSTRACTBackground: Gambling, although being a common leisure activity in India, and it has been studied scarcely. There is a dearth of research regarding the rates of problem gambling among substance users in India. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care de-addiction center in India. Male patients aged 18–65 years were included. Diagnosis of gambling disorder or pathological gambling were made using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual–Fifth edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Disorders–10th Edition Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD-10 DCR) respectively. Pattern of gambling as well as the prevalence of probable pathological gambling was assessed using South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Results: A total of 114 substance users were recruited in the study. The occurrence rate of pathological gambling according to ICD-10 DCR was 6.1%, gambling disorder according to DSM-5 was 11.4%, and probable pathological gambling according to SOGS was 12.3%. Playing cards for money was the most common type of gambling. Pathological gamblers had higher rates of injection drug use and high-risk sexual behaviors as compared to non-problem gamblers. Conclusion: Our study suggests pathological gambling to be a common comorbidity among substance use disorder patients. There is a need to study the impact and course of pathological gambling among the Indian patients with substance use disorders.

INTENSITY AND GAMBLING HARMS: EXPLORING BREADTH OF GAMBLING INVOLVEMENT AMONG ESPORTS BETTORS

Gaming Law ReviewVol. 21, No. 8 Brief ReportINTENSITY AND GAMBLING HARMS: EXPLORING BREADTH OF GAMBLING INVOLVEMENT AMONG ESPORTS BETTORSSally M. Gainsbury, Brett Abarbanel, and Alex BlaszczynskiSally M. GainsburySearch for more papers by this author, Brett AbarbanelSearch for more papers by this author, and Alex BlaszczynskiSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Oct 2017https://doi.org/10.1089/glr2.2017.21812AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byShort-term cognitive impacts of electronic gaming machines with and without a skill-based component: A comparative laboratory study26 August 2022 | Frontiers in Psychiatry, Vol. 13Motivations for Esports Betting and Skin Gambling and Their Association with Gambling Frequency, Problems, and Harm8 July 2022 | Journal of Gambling Studies, Vol. 14Adolescent betting on esports using cash and skins: Links with gaming, monetary gambling, and problematic gambling5 May 2022 | PLOS ONE, Vol. 17, No. 5Skin Gambling Contributes to Gambling Problems and Harm After Controlling for Other Forms of Traditional Gambling25 February 2022 | Journal of Gambling Studies, Vol. 20The importance of incorporating relevant-added value into esports sponsorships2 December 2021 | Journal of Contemporary Marketing Science, Vol. 4, No. 3Are esports bettors a new generation of harmed gamblers? A comparison with sports bettors on gambling involvement, problems, and harmJournal of Behavioral Addictions, Vol. 10, No. 3Between two worlds: Exploring esports betting in relation to problem gambling, gaming, and mental health problemsJournal of Behavioral Addictions, Vol. 10, No. 3Online Gambling Activity, Pay-to-Win Payments, Motivation to Gamble and Coping Strategies as Predictors of Gambling Disorder Among e-sports Bettors10 March 2021 | Journal of Gambling Studies, Vol. 13The gamblification of digital games23 March 2021 | Journal of Consumer Culture, Vol. 21, No. 1Impacts of the COVID-19 Shutdown on Gambling Patterns in AustraliaJournal of Addiction Medicine, Vol. Publish Ahead of PrintA qualitative study of participant experience with skill gaming machines in comparison to electronic gaming machines30 July 2020 | International Gambling Studies, Vol. 20, No. 3Defining the esports bettor: evidence from an online panel survey of emerging adults6 October 2020 | International Gambling Studies, Vol. 20, No. 3Skill gambling machines and electronic gaming machines: participation, erroneous beliefs, and understanding of outcomes19 October 2020 | International Gambling Studies, Vol. 20, No. 3Skill-Based Electronic Gaming Machines: a Review of Product Structures, Risks of Harm, and Policy Issues22 April 2020 | Current Addiction Reports, Vol. 7, No. 2Beyond loot boxes: a variety of gambling-like practices in video games are linked to both problem gambling and disordered gaming14 July 2020 | PeerJ, Vol. 8Gambling disorder25 July 2019 | Nature Reviews Disease Primers, Vol. 5, No. 1Isolating the impact of specific gambling activities and modes on problem gambling and psychological distress in internet gamblers25 October 2019 | BMC Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 1How Society’s Negative View of Videogames Can Discourage Brands from Sponsoring eSports27 December 2019eSports, skins and loot boxes: Participants, practices and problematic behaviour associated with emergent forms of gambling16 July 2018 | New Media & Society, Vol. 21, No. 1 Volume 21Issue 8Oct 2017 InformationCopyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Sally M. Gainsbury, Brett Abarbanel, and Alex Blaszczynski.INTENSITY AND GAMBLING HARMS: EXPLORING BREADTH OF GAMBLING INVOLVEMENT AMONG ESPORTS BETTORS.Gaming Law Review.Oct 2017.610-615.http://doi.org/10.1089/glr2.2017.21812Published in Volume: 21 Issue 8: October 1, 2017Keywordsonline gamblingesportsbettingintensityinvolvementfrequencygambling problemsPDF download

Q&amp;A: THE RISE OF ESPORTS BETTING AND THE CHALLENGES THE INDUSTRY FACES

Gaming Law ReviewVol. 21, No. 8 CommentariesQ&A: THE RISE OF ESPORTS BETTING AND THE CHALLENGES THE INDUSTRY FACESVeronique Dos ReisVeronique Dos ReisSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Oct 2017https://doi.org/10.1089/glr2.2017.2189AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail View articleFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byWhat predicts esports betting? A study on consumption of video games, esports, gambling and demographic factors3 March 2020 | New Media & Society, Vol. 7Esports consumer perspectives on match-fixing: implications for gambling awareness and game integrity21 December 2018 | International Gambling Studies, Vol. 19, No. 2 Volume 21Issue 8Oct 2017 InformationCopyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Veronique Dos Reis.Q&A: THE RISE OF ESPORTS BETTING AND THE CHALLENGES THE INDUSTRY FACES.Gaming Law Review.Oct 2017.630-633.http://doi.org/10.1089/glr2.2017.2189Published in Volume: 21 Issue 8: October 1, 2017KeywordsesportsPinnacleesports bettingskin bettingPDF download

How gambling harms experienced by Pacific people in New Zealand amplify when they are culture-related

Pacific people in New Zealand are a minority ethnic population identified in national prevalence studies as having the highest risk of developing gambling problems. As earlier studies identified some links between culture and gambling for this population, our study aimed to deepen understanding of these links and their role in explaining the disproportionate gambling harms experienced by Pacific people. To achieve this aim we employed intersectionality as a theoretical framework to explore the culture-gambling intersection for this population group. We analysed data from a subset of focus groups conducted for a broad study of gambling harms in New Zealand. The subset was selected based on the presence of individuals knowledgeable about Pacific people’s gambling behaviours, including staff from Pacific problem gambling treatment services who provided examples from a cultural perspective. We identified themes at a latent level via an interpretive process to identify underlying cultural contexts of gambling harms. Findings indicated that whilst harms experienced by Pacific people were similar to those identified amongst the general population, the cultural contexts in which some harms manifested were complex. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge base about gambling harms for Pacific people in relation to six culture-gambling intersecting themes that emerged from the data: collectivism, gift-giving, gambling-based fundraising, patriarchy, beliefs about blessings, and sports celebrities. Findings are discussed in relation to the current knowledge of gambling and conceptualisations of gambling harm within Pacific communities. Implications for culturally appropriate harm minimisation strategies and prevention interventions for this population are suggested.

Forms of gambling, gambling involvement and problem gambling: evidence from a Swedish population survey

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between problem gambling (PG) and participation in different forms of gambling in order to elucidate relationships between PG, gambling involvement and gambling intensity. Using data from the first wave of the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs) (n = 4,991), the study tested four hypotheses, namely that (1) some forms of gambling are more closely associated with PG than other forms; (2) high gambling involvement is associated with PG; (3) gambling involvement is positively associated with the intensity of gambling; and (4) the relationship between gambling involvement and PG is influenced by the specific forms of gambling in which individuals participate. All four hypotheses were supported. More specifically, the study found that while many PGs regularly participate in multiple forms of gambling, half of PGs participate regularly in only one or two forms of gambling. The study concluded that some forms of gambling are more closely associated with problem gambling than other forms, and that gambling policy and regulation, as well as the development of responsible gambling initiatives, should focus on these forms.

Comparing undergraduate and community-recruited adult non-gamblers' motives for not gambling: Do they differ?

The field of gambling studies has extensively focused on isolating risk factors for developing a gambling disorder. Conversely, little attention has been paid to identifying protective factors against gambling disorder among people who choose to not gamble at all. Moreover, the limited number of studies that have focused on non-gamblers have neglected to differentiate current from lifetime non-gamblers. The purpose of the present study was to examine motives for not gambling among a diverse sample of adult lifetime non-gamblers recruited from the community and to compare these motives to an undergraduate student sample of non-gamblers from a previous study. Participants consisted of 219 lifetime non-gamblers (45.2% male) from the United States recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. The previously recruited sample consisted of Canadian undergraduate students (n=196). Eight distinct categories of motivations for not gambling were identified in the sample of adult community non-gamblers, which corresponded closely with previous findings from the student sample. However, comparisons between the two samples revealed that adult lifetime non-gamblers were more likely to provide financial motives as reasons for not gambling. Whereas, the student sample was more likely to mention disinterest and the influence of others as reasons to avoid gambling. Results suggest that the choice not to gamble among lifetime non-gamblers may reflect a more conscious, values-based decision when compared to undergraduate non-gamblers.

Implicit Valuation of the Near-Miss is Dependent on Outcome Context.

Gambling studies have described a "near-miss effect" wherein the experience of almost winning increases gambling persistence. The near-miss has been proposed to inflate the value of preceding actions through its perceptual similarity to wins. We demonstrate here, however, that it acts as a conditioned stimulus to positively or negatively influence valuation, dependent on reward expectation and cognitive engagement. When subjects are asked to choose between two simulated slot machines, near-misses increase valuation of machines with a low payout rate, whereas they decrease valuation of high payout machines. This contextual effect impairs decisions and persists regardless of manipulations to outcome feedback or financial incentive provided for good performance. It is consistent with proposals that near-misses cause frustration when wins are expected, and we propose that it increases choice stochasticity and overrides avoidance of low-valued options. Intriguingly, the near-miss effect disappears when subjects are required to explicitly value machines by placing bets, rather than choosing between them. We propose that this task increases cognitive engagement and recruits participation of brain regions involved in cognitive processing, causing inhibition of otherwise dominant systems of decision-making. Our results reveal that only implicit, rather than explicit strategies of decision-making are affected by near-misses, and that the brain can fluidly shift between these strategies according to task demands.

Psychometric Characteristics of a New Scale for Measuring Self-efficacy in the Regulation of Gambling Behavior.

Since its introduction in 1977, self-efficacy has proven to be a fundamental predictor of positive adjustment and achievement in many domains. In problem gambling studies, self-efficacy has been defined mainly as an individual's ability to avoid gambling in risky situations. The interest in this construct developed mainly with regard to treatment approaches, where abstinence from gambling is required. Very little is known, however, regarding self-efficacy as a protective factor for problem gambling. This study aims to fill this gap, proposing a new self-efficacy scale which measures not only the ability to restrain oneself from gambling but also the ability to self-regulate one's gambling behavior. Two studies were conducted in which the data from two Italian prevalence surveys on problem gambling were considered. A total of about 6,000 participants were involved. In the first study, the psychometric characteristics of this new self-efficacy scale were investigated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The results indicated the presence of two different factors: self-efficacy in self-regulating gambling behavior and self-efficacy in avoiding risky gambling behavior. The second study confirmed the replicability of the two-factor solution and displayed high correlations among these two self-efficacy dimensions and different measures of gambling activities as well as other psychological variables related to gambling (gambling beliefs, gambling motivation, risk propensity, and impulsiveness). The results of logistic regression analyses showed the particular importance of self-regulating gaming behavior in explaining problem gambling as measured by Problem Gambling Severity Index and South Oaks Gambling Screen, thus proving the role of self-efficacy as a pivotal protective factor for problem gambling.

People around you – do they matter? An experimental gambling study

The presence of others is assumed to intensify gambling behaviour. However, empirical findings are mixed. Against this backdrop, a gambling simulation experiment was designed, comprising three conditions (gambling alone, gambling with two unfamiliar others and gambling with two familiar others). A total of 136 participants were recruited and assigned to one of the conditions. Win-sequence (‘early’, ‘middle’ and ‘late’) was a sub-condition. The gambling simulation was based on the electronic gaming machine (EGM). The dependent repeated measures were ‘Total trials gambled’, ‘Bet size’, ‘Reaction time’ and ‘Credit’. Several univariate mixed regression models were fitted. Contrary to expectations, participants gambling alone gambled on average more trials, placed their bets faster and lost fewer credits over time compared to those gambling with other participants. Participants receiving reinforcements mainly during the first part of the session showed more persistence within the gambling session in comparison with participants receiving winnings mainly at a later stage of the session. This suggests that the arousal induced by fellow participants facilitated a standard of maximizing actual returns, resulting in a loss-avoidance strategy. As attitudes toward gambling in Norway are relatively negative, the results could also reflect normative group pressure or fear of negative evaluation from others.

A Review of Gambling Studies with a Singaporean Clinical Population from 2009 to 2013

A Review of Gambling Studies with a Singaporean Clinical Population from 2009 to 2013

Gambling and Gambling Harm in New Zealand: a 28-Year Case Study

It has long been asserted that increased gambling availability leads to increased participation and harm (availability hypothesis). It has also been proposed that over time participation and harm decrease even when availability continues to rise (adaptation hypothesis). New Zealand has national gambling and problem gambling surveys dating from the mid-1980s. They include five-yearly surveys of gambling behaviour and attitudes from 1985 to 2005 and surveys of gambling and problem gambling in 1990 and 1999. The National Gambling Study (NGS) (2012–2015) was in part designed to assess changes in behaviour, attitudes and gambling-related harm since the 1999 and 2005 surveys. Selected NGS data are examined in relation to data from earlier surveys. A national lottery, instant lotteries and electronic gaming machines were introduced during the late 1980s. Since then, gambling availability continued to increase. Participation in most newly introduced gambling forms increased markedly, usually within the first year or two, and then decreased, often substantially. Following an initial rise, contrary to the availability hypothesis, overall participation declined. This was accompanied by a decline in problem gambling prevalence. These findings are consistent with adaptation. Since 2000, while participation continued to fall, problem gambling prevalence plateaued. This finding appears to be at variance with both the availability and adaptation hypotheses. It points to the importance of factors other than gambling availability in determining problem gambling and related harm. Possible reasons for the plateauing of problem gambling in the face of substantial reductions in participation are considered. They have implications for future research and policy.

Prevention paradox logic and problem gambling: Does low-risk gambling impose a greater burden of harm than high-risk gambling?

Background and aims The aim of this paper is to examine the evidence and arguments in favor of prevention paradox (PP) logic in the context of problem gambling. Evidence from recent studies of gambling and the distribution of harm across lower and higher risk gamblers is reviewed to examine the contention that the absolute burden of harm is greater in low-risk (LR) gamblers than the problem gamblers.MethodsThe review examines a number of methodological and conceptual concerns about existing evidence in support of the PP.ResultsThe principal problems identified include the misclassification of LR gamblers; the use of binary scoring method that understates the frequency of harms in high-risk populations; a tendency to confuse behavior and harm; and the use of potentially overly inclusive definitions of harm with low thresholds of severity.Discussion and conclusionsThis paper makes a number of recommendations for enhancement of this area of research, including the use of clear definitions of harm and LR behavior and a greater focus on harm with material impacts on people’s quality of life.

Telecommunications Network Measurements of Online Gambling Behavior in Switzerland: A Feasibility Study

Background: Methodological shortcomings of gambling studies relying on self-report or on data sets derived from gambling operators tend to result in biased conclusions. The aim of this study was to analyze online gambling behavior using a novel network database approach. Methods: From October 13 to October 26, 2014, telecommunications network data from a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland were analyzed. Netflows between mobile devices and a poker operator were quantified to measure the gambling duration and session number. Results: Time spent gambling during night and working hours was compared between devices with longest (red group), intermediate (orange group), and shortest gambling time (green group). Online gambling behavior differed depending on overall gambling time, F (2, 3,143). Night and working hours gambling was the highest in the red group (53%), compared to the orange (50.1%) and the green groups (41.5%). Post hoc analyses indicated significant differences between the orange and green groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the red and orange groups (p = 0.850), and the red and green groups (p = 0.053). Conclusions: On mobile devices, distinct gambling patterns were observed depending on the overall gambling time. This methodology could also be used to investigate online gaming, social media use, and online pornography.