Risk Of Problem Gambling Research Articles

Global prevalence of help-seeking for problem gambling: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multiple studies have examined barriers and facilitators to help-seeking, but the prevalence of help-seeking for problem gambling (PG) is not well established. We aimed to estimate the international prevalence of help-seeking for PG among the general population and among subgroups of people at risk for PG (i.e. low-risk, moderate-risk and PG). Systematic search of grey literature (through gambling repositories, gambling research institutes and Google) and peer-reviewed literature (through ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus) for gambling prevalence studies that reported on help-seeking for PG. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses. Studies used representative sampling methods to determine the prevalence of gambling participation and data collection 2010 onward. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The main outcome was population prevalence of help-seeking for PG. Help-seeking was defined as any intentional action to change gambling behaviours, including professional services (inclusive of in-person or distance help), non-professional help (e.g. from family and friends) and self-help. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explain variability in help-seeking prevalence estimates. Measurement of help-seeking was inconsistent across included studies and, overall, there was high risk of bias. We estimated a general population help-seeking prevalence for PG of 0.23% (95% CI, 0.16-0.33). Prevalence estimates were significantly higher in studies assessing lifetime (0.50%; 95% CI, 0.35-0.71) compared with current help-seeking (0.14%; 95% CI, 0.10-0.20, P< 0.001), but there was no evidence of difference in prevalence estimates by gambling participation, region, type of help-seeking, or year of data collection. Compared with people with low-risk gambling (0.27%; 95% CI, 0.07%-1.04%), prevalence estimates were significantly higher in those with moderate-risk (3.73%; 95% CI, 2.07%-6.63%) and problem gambling (20.63%; 95% CI, 12.89%-31.35%, P < 0.001). One in 25 moderate-risk gamblers and 1 in 5 people with problem gambling have sought help for problems related to their gambling.

Proximity to Casino Gambling Venues and Risk of Problem Gambling in Massachusetts

Proximity to Casino Gambling Venues and Risk of Problem Gambling in Massachusetts

Gambling: Exploring the Role of Gambling Motives, Attachment and Addictive Behaviours Among Adolescents and Young Women

There is a growing body of research that seeks to understand the aetiology, consequences and risk factors associated with addictive behaviours in youths. However, research examining the specific profile of adolescent females is very limited. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were, firstly, to explore the differences between attachment, gambling motives (social enhancement and coping), positive and negative affect, and addictive behaviours (gambling, drugs, spending, alcohol and video games) in female adolescents with and without risk of gambling problems. Secondly, the relationships between attachment, gambling motives, positive and negative affect and addictive behaviours were analysed in the subsample of female adolescents with problem gambling Thirdly, we examine the predictive role of positive and negative affect, gambling motives, and attachment in the aforementioned addictive behaviours. The sample was composed of 351 adolescents and young women, of which 312 had no risk of gambling and 39 had gambling problems. The results obtained revealed higher scores in drugs, spending, maternal attachment, and all gambling motives in the group of gambling problems. Likewise, analyses showed that the relevance of the predictor variables (attachment, gambling motives, and affect) varied according to the addiction that was taken as a reference point (i.e., gambling, drugs, spending, alcohol and video games).Consequently, the identification of the possible vulnerability factors for each addiction could be useful in the design of prevention and treatment approaches. In addition, the need for integrated and holistic health- and social- care programmes are suggested in terms of sex and age.

Gambling problems among United Kingdom armed forces veterans: Associations with gambling motivation and posttraumatic stress disorder

ABSTRACT Military service, mental health, and gambling activities and motivations as predictors of problem gambling in a sample of UK AF veterans. Age-and-gender matched veterans (n = 1,037) and non-veterans (n = 1,148) completed an online survey of problem gambling, gambling motivation, mental health (depression and anxiety), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Past year problem gambling rates were higher in veterans compared to non-veterans. Veteran status predicted increased problem gambling risk. The relationship between problem gambling and gambling to cope with distress was significantly stronger among veterans. Veterans experiencing PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD) were at increased risk of problem gambling. Overall, the present, findings contribute further international evidence that veterans are a population vulnerable to problem gambling. Veterans with PTSD or C-PTSD are most at-risk and may engage in problematic gambling to escape/avoid distress. Routine screening for gambling problems should be undertaken with current and former military personnel, and further research is needed on the interplay between gambling motivation and veterans’ mental health.

Microtransaction spending and problematic gambling of UK university call of duty gamers

ABSTRACT Increased implementation of loot boxes within computer games has received widespread concern for the wellbeing of gamers, especially given the increased engagement during COVID-19 restrictions. Loot boxes share similarities with traditional gambling mechanisms that influence addiction-like behaviors and the amount of money spent on in-game items. The present study investigated loot box expenditure alongside peer engagement, perceptions of gaming value, self-worth, and problematic gambling of 130 Call of Duty players. Results identified significantly higher Risky Loot Box Index and visual authority scores for high-risk and medium-risk problem gamblers than non-problem gamblers. High-risk problem gamblers were also found to have higher purchase intention and validation seeking scores than non-problem gamblers. Problem gambling risk and all but three self-worth and perceived value subscale behaviors were not associated with loot box expenditure, contrasting previous findings. Concerning peer influence, non-problem gamblers were significantly less likely to play any Call of Duty game with friends whilst having all or most friends purchase loot boxes were also found to be associated with higher RLBI scores. The findings continue to support the associations between loot box engagement and problematic gambling and suggests the need to continue to explore individual in-game motivations for engaging with microtransactions.

Problem Gambling and Problem Gaming in Elite Athletes: a Literature Review

Researchers have raised concerns about mental health in elite athletes, including problem gambling, where research hitherto is scarce. While gambling has been assessed in the younger student-athlete population, neither gambling nor the recently recognized behavioral addiction of gaming disorder has been sufficiently addressed in the elite athlete population. The present systematic literature review aimed to summarize research knowledge on the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling and problem gaming in elite athletes. Research papers were searched systematically using the Scopus, PsycINFO, and PubMed/MEDLINE databases and evaluated following a PRISMA paradigm. For the elite athlete population, eight reports on problem gambling and one report on problem gaming were found. While at least five papers indicated an increased risk of problem gambling in elite athletes compared to the general population, one study from Australia indicated the opposite. Problem gambling was generally more common in male athletes. Knowledge of problem gaming prevalence is thus far limited. It is concluded that increased research in problem gambling and problem gaming in elite athletes is warranted.

Contentious Issues and Future Directions in Adolescent Gambling Research.

Background. There is currently considerable public policy and regulatory interest in the nature and prevalence of underage gambling. Research in this area has purported to show that adolescents are at elevated risk of problem gambling and that early exposure to gambling or gambling-like activities could be a potential precursor to future harm. Method. In this commentary, we provide a critical appraisal of these arguments with reference to major studies in the field of gambling studies. It is argued that adolescent gambling research is a contentious area. Some questions remain concerning the validity of adolescent problem gambling measures, the strength of the association between adolescent and adult gambling and the impact of simulated gambling activities. Results. The paper summarises the conceptual and methodological issues that should be considered and addressed in future studies to strengthen the validity of research in this area. Conclusion. The paper encourages the greater use of harm-based measures, longitudinal and individual-level transition analyses and questions that capture the influence of activities rather than just their temporal sequencing.

Social and economic costs of gambling problems and related harm among UK military veterans

IntroductionMilitary veterans are at heightened risk of problem gambling. Little is known about the costs of problem gambling and related harm among United Kingdom (UK) Armed Forces (AF) veterans. We...

Ludens: A Gambling Addiction Prevention Program Based on the Principles of Ethical Gambling

Gambling is legal in most countries. However, despite having some economic benefits, certain characteristics of gambling can have health consequences, rendering it a public health issue. The effects can be summarized according to the following three “laws” of ethical gambling: “Gambling Dynamics Law”: companies’ economic gains come directly from players’ losses; “Expected Loss Law”: the more one gambles, the greater the probability of losing; and “Addiction Law”: the more one gambles, the greater the need to play again, leading to further losses. Ludens is a gambling addiction prevention program that has four goals: inform participants about gambling and gambling addiction; sensitize participants to the risk of gambling for health, especially addiction; promote a change in attitudes toward gambling; and alert participants to risky behaviors that can lead to addiction. The prevention program was implemented during 2017 to 2019. Fourteen psychologists presented it to 2372 adolescents (48.8% females, 51.2% males) aged 14–19 years, none of whom were university students, recruited from 42 Spanish high schools in 132 groups taking different courses. The main dependent variables analyzed were the monthly frequencies of gambling, at-risk gambling, and gambling addiction (as measured by the National Opinion Research Center DSM-IV Screen for Gambling Problems, adapted to diagnose gambling disorder according to DSM-5, in which pathological gambling is considered an addictive disorder). Given that all of the gamblers were adolescents (most were minors), fulfilment of 1–3 the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria was considered to indicate a risk of problem gambling. After the administration of Ludens, statistically significant reductions were observed in the three variables of interest: monthly frequency of gambling, percentage of adolescents with risky gambling, and percentage of adolescents with gambling disorder. The results were analyzed according to sex and age (minors vs. adolescents between 18 and 19 years old). The results obtained after applying the prevention program indicate that Ludens is effective as a universal prevention program for gambling addiction.

Alexithymia and Emotion Regulation Strategies in Adolescent Gamblers with and Without At-Risk Profiles

Alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation, and negative affect play an important role in adolescents who present pathological gambling. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were, firstly, to analyze the differences between alexithymia, difficulties in emotion regulation, and positive and negative affect in adolescents with and without risk of gambling problems. Secondly, the relationships between all the variables of the study in adolescents with and without risk of problem gambling were analyzed separately. Thirdly, we analyzed the mediating role of positive and negative affect in the relationship between alexithymia and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies (ERS) in adolescents at risk of gambling problems. The sample was composed of 206 adolescents with ages ranging from 12 to 18 years (M = 15.52; SD = 1.43). They were divided into two groups according to the score obtained in the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA). Thus, 84 were included in the group without risk of gambling problems and 122 in the group at risk of gambling problems. The results obtained revealed higher scores in negative affect and pathological gambling in the group at risk of gambling problems. Likewise, positive relationships between alexithymia, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (MERS), and affect were found. Mediation analyses showed that difficulties in identifying feelings were indirectly related to greater use of dysfunctional ERS through their relationship with negative affect in at-risk gamblers.

Self-Exclusion from Gambling—A Measure of COVID-19 Impact on Gambling in a Highly Online-Based Gambling Market?

The COVID-19 pandemic, and related changes of the gambling market, have been suspected to affect the risk of problem gambling. Despite media attention and political concern with this risk, study findings hitherto have been mixed. Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling was introduced on a national level in Sweden as a harm reduction tool in 2019, and this self-exclusion service in Sweden is a rare example of such an official, nationwide, multi-operator system. The present study aimed to evaluate whether short-term self-exclusion patterns were affected by different phases of COVID-19-related impacts on gambling markets in 2020. During the lock-down of sports in the spring months of 2020, three-month self-exclusion was unaffected, and one-month self-exclusion appeared to increase, though not more than in a recent period prior to COVID-19. Despite large differences in sports betting practices between women and men, self-exclusion patterns during COVID-19 were not apparently gender-specific. Altogether, self-exclusion from gambling, to date, does not appear to be affected by COVID-19-related changes in society, in contrast with beliefs about such changes producing greater help-seeking behavior in gamblers. Limitations are discussed, including the fact that in a recently introduced system, seasonality aspects and the autocorrelated nature of the data made substantial statistical measures unfeasible.

Depression Symptoms, Problem Gambling and the Role of Escape and Excitement Gambling Outcome Expectancies.

The relationship between problem gambling and depression is well documented. However, there are few studies that have explored the mechanisms that may help maintain the association between depression symptoms and problem gambling. This study tests the assumption that gambling for escape and excitement may either mediate or moderate the relationship between depression and problem gambling. To test these propositions, 282 adults who gambled at least once a month were recruited to complete an online survey that assessed depression severity, the gambling outcomes expectancies of escape and excitement and problem gambling. The study did not find evidence for a mediation effect for either escape or excitement, although escape moderated the relationship between depression and problem gambling. In particular, there was not a relationship between depression and problem gambling when there was low endorsement of the escape gambling outcomes expectancies. However, the relationship between depression and problem gambling strengthened when endorsement of gambling as an escape increased. This indicates that individuals with elevated levels of depression symptoms, and who view gambling as a way to moderate mood states, may be at higher risk for problem gambling than those who hold less favourable views towards gambling as a mood modifier. This suggests it may be helpful to consider the gambling expectancies of gamblers experiencing problems when formulating educational and treatment initiatives, especially with those experiencing heightened levels of depressive symptoms.

Predictors of Problem Gambling for Sports and Non-sports Gamblers: A Stochastic Search Variable Selection Analysis.

Differences in the psychological characteristics and gambling behaviors of sports bettors and non-sports bettors were examined with a view to identifying predictors of problem gambling severity. A survey was completed by 1,280 participants, 596 of whom had placed bets on a sporting event in the last year. We found that sports bettors are at greater risk of problem gambling due to differences in attitudes towards gambling, personality traits, thinking styles, erroneous cognitions, and gambling motivations. Moreover, our findings suggest that the difference between individuals who bet on sports and those who do not is more quantitative than qualitative. A stratified stochastic search variable selection analysis by type of bettor revealed similar important predictors of problem gambling for both sports bettors and non-sports bettors; however, the association between the predictors and problem gambling was stronger for sports bettors. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that preventative methods and interventions for problem gambling should be targeted as a function of whether individuals bet on sports.

A meta-analysis of problem gambling risk factors in the general adult population.

Background and AimsFew meta‐analyses have been conducted to pool the most constant risk factors for problem gambling. The present meta‐analysis summarizes effect sizes of the most frequently assessed problem gambling risk factors, ranks them according to effect size strength and identifies any differences in effects across genders.MethodA random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted on jurisdiction‐wide gambling prevalence surveys on the general adult population published until March 2019. One hundred and four studies were eligible for meta‐analysis. The number of participants varied depending on the risk factor analyzed, and ranged from 5327 to 273 946 (52% female). Weighted mean odds ratios were calculated for 57 risk factors (socio‐demographic, psychosocial, gambling activity and substance use correlates), allowing them to be ranked from largest to smallest with regard to their association with problem gambling.ResultsThe highest odds ratio (OR) was for internet gambling [OR = 7.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.24, 10.99, P < 0.000] and the lowest was for employment status (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.87, 1.22, P = 0.718). The largest effect sizes were generally in the gambling activity category and the smallest were in the socio‐demographic category. No differences were found across genders for age‐associated risk.ConclusionsA meta‐analysis of 104 studies of gambling prevalence indicated that the most frequently assessed problem gambling risk factors with the highest effect sizes are associated with continuous‐play format gambling products.

The Relative and Interactive Effects of Actual and Perceived Gambling Exposure on Gambling Behaviour.

Actual and perceptual measures of gambling exposure are important predictors of problem gambling. This study used Zero-Inflated Poisson regression analyses to assess the relative and interactive effects of actual and perceived exposure on problem gambling risk and severity. Data from the 2008 and 2009 Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Alberta surveys indicated actual exposure was significantly associated with problem gambling risk while perceived exposure was significantly associated with problem gambling severity. These associations differ for gamblers from emerging and mature areas. Further, actual and perceived exposure had significant interaction effects on problem gambling severity but not on risk. Implications from these findings suggest that the prevalence of problem gambling could be reduced by restrictions on gambling opportunities.

Coping with Shame Mediates the Association Between Depression and Gambling Severity and Frequency

Recent research suggests that shame plays a key role in the pathway between depression and problem gambling. Little research has explored how methods of coping with shame may increase risk for depression and problem gambling. The present study examined how the four facets of coping with shame from the Compass of Shame Scale (Elison et al., [2006] Social Behaviour and Personality; an international journal, 34[3], 221-238) mediated the relationship between depression and gambling severity and frequency. Undergraduate students (N = 484; age range 20 to 69, Mage = 23.34, SDage = 23.84) completed self-reports of depression, facets of coping with shame, and gambling behaviors. Results showed that greater depression was associated with greater gambling frequency and severity, and this was explained by (1) a greater tendency to cope with shame by attacking others, and (2) a lesser tendency to cope with shame by attacking the self. Findings from this study improve our understanding of shame’s role in the pathway between depression and risk for problem gambling, and may help guide targeted interventions.

Prevalence and selected determinants of the risk of problem gambling among Polish secondary school students.

The study had two aims. The first was to determine the prevalence of various types of gambling behaviour and the severity of gambling among secondary school students in one of the poorest provinces in Poland. The second was to identify correlations between selected socio-demographic variables and the severity of gambling problems. The study was carried out on a group of teenagers from secondary schools in the Lublin Province of eastern Poland. The survey covered 923 respondents aged 17 - 21 (M=18.06; SD=0.367). The study used a list of gambling activities, the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised Adolescent (SOGS-RA), and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The effects of independent variables on the severity of gambling behaviour were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test (for binary variables, such as gender or age group) and Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA for ternary variables (e.g., place of residence, type of school). The findings show that in the studied population 7.2% were pathological gamblers and 41.8% had not gambled during the 12 months prior to the study. These findings are consistent with the literature. There seems to be a clear trend in which pathological gambling is found most frequently among technical secondary school students, and least frequently among those from secondary schools of general education. In addition, persons who had lived (until the age of 10) in rural areas scored the lowest in SOGS-RA, while those from cities below 50,000 residents, scored the highest. In families with a gambling member, pathological gambling was found 1.7 times more frequently.

Having a Casino in the Community: Implications for Older Residents

Casino-going has been acknowledged as a common leisure activity for older adults, but what having a casino in the community means for the local older population has been understudied. Previous research has focused on problem gambling among older adults, but little is understood about how older residents perceive having a casino nearby and further how it impacts relevant senior services. This mixed-methods study gathered perspectives from 14 senior center directors and older residents (N = 411) of communities in Massachusetts that surround Plainridge Park Casino, the first casino that opened in the state in 2015. We conducted qualitative interviews with senior center directors and distributed a quantitative survey to older residents of the surrounding communities and those who visited the casino during the study period. We found that while most senior centers did not engage in trips to this “hometown” casino, many had other creative interactions with the casino, such as using casino space to host senior center events or seeking funding support from the casino. Older residents exhibited low rates of problem gambling risk, preferred to go to casinos outside of the state as an excursion, and attributed their reasoning to go to casinos to socializing rather than gambling aspects. While we must be aware of risks for problem gambling, this study also highlights the possibility of reframing a local casino as a potential asset that could contribute back to the community by providing resources for senior service providers and expanding social engagement opportunities for the older population.

Transmission of Problem Gambling Between Adjacent Generations

We investigate the extent to which gambling problems at age 20 are linked to parental gambling behaviour during childhood, employing data from a longitudinal study (ALSPAC) which has followed parents and children from Avon, England since pregnancy. 1058 children completed a problem gambling screen at age 20. When those children had been age 6, each of their parents was asked about their own gambling. We used regression to estimate the effect of parental gambling behaviour at child age 6 on the child’s problem gambling risk at age 20. Parental gambling participation at child age 6 was not a predictor of offspring problem gambling; but problem gambling by parents was a predictor of offspring problem gambling. However, this latter result was found only cross-gender (fathers’ behaviour influencing daughters and mothers’ behaviour influencing sons). This pattern was robust to models including measures of parental education and variables capturing family attitudes to health choices and the degree of domestic harmony. The sample illustrates high problem gambling prevalence amongst young adults. Although there is transmission of ‘problem gambling’ between generations, it appears to happen only cross-gender. This limits the importance of parental problem gambling as a source of the high prevalence because relatively few mothers exhibit problem gambling and risks to daughters from fathers are in the context of initially low baseline risks. Preventative policies might therefore be more appropriately targeted at young adults rather than rely on influencing parental gambling behaviour earlier in the child’s life.

Gamblers’ beliefs about responsibility for minimizing gambling harm: Associations with problem gambling screening and gambling involvement

Increasingly, gambling stakeholders communicate that minimizing gambling harm is a shared societal responsibility. Individual gamblers’ beliefs about responsibility for minimizing gambling harm are worthy of study because these beliefs might influence gambling behavior. In this study, using a sample of casino loyalty program subscribers (N = 4,795), we observed that respondents who had a positive result on a brief gambling disorder screen were more likely than those who screened negative to hold seven stakeholder groups (i.e., scientists, clinicians, casino employees, government regulators, public health officials, casino industry lobbyists, public safety officials) responsible for helping to minimize gambling harm. The sum of stakeholder groups held responsible for minimizing gambling harm, along with beliefs that casinos share responsibility for encouraging responsible gambling behavior, predicted gambling disorder screening status after controlling for established problem gambling risk factors. These results replicated our previous study using a mostly independent sample. Contrary to our expectations, beliefs about responsibility for mitigating gambling harm were mostly unrelated to measures of gambling involvement. These results provided additional support for the notion that those who are at risk for gambling harm are especially likely to hold others responsible for minimizing such harm. However, they call into question the role of gambling involvement in this relationship.