Traditional Gambling Research Articles

Engagement in New Gambling Practices and its Association with Gambling Disorder, Impulsivity, and Cognitive Distortions: Findings from a Nationally Representative Sample of Spanish Gamblers.

Most epidemiological surveys focus on adult gambling behaviors related to traditional gambling forms, while studies on novel forms often focus on loot boxes and cryptocurrency trading individually. This study examines the co-ocurrence of emergent gambling and gambling-like practices, analyzing the demographic and psychological characteristics of involved gamblers. A cross-sectional study surveyed 1429 Spanish individuals aged 18-65, using a web-based questionnaire. The survey assessed participation in 19 gambling (e.g., lotteries, sports betting) and gambling-like activities (e.g., trading of cryptocurrencies and other assets, buying loot-boxes), along with sociodemographic and substance use. Problem gambling (PGSI), Impulsivity (UPPS-P), and cognitive distortions (Labrador's cognitive distortions scale) were also assessed. Participants who gambled over the past year (n = 921) were classified into four groups: traditional gambling (TG) only (64.5%, n = 594), TG with trading activities (27.5%, n = 253), TG with gambling withing video games or streaming platforms (2.5%, n = 23), and TG with both trading and video gambling (5.5%, n = 51). Most gamblers engaged exclusively in traditional formats, but 35.5% also participated in novel gambling forms. Those involved in both trading and video gambling were generally younger, male, with higher levels of impulsivity and gambling-related cognitive distortions compared to TG-only gamblers (p < 0.001). This group also exhibited higher rates of problem gambling and substance use (p < 0.001). This study emphasize the importance of including emerging gambling activities, which are particularly prevalent among high-risk gamblers, in epidemiological surveys. Identifying new gambling patterns and associated risk factors could help optimize public policies and develop more effective regulatory and prevention strategies.

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.

The Impact of Online Gambling on Mental Health in New Zealand: A Comparative Study

Online gambling has witnessed exponential growth globally, facilitated by the proliferation of internet access and digital platforms. This phenomenon has sparked significant concerns regarding its potential impact on mental health, particularly in regions like New Zealand where gambling is popular. This paper endeavors to investigate the relationship between online gambling and mental health outcomes within the unique socio-cultural context of New Zealand, comparing these impacts with those of traditional forms of gambling. The introduction of online gambling has revolutionized the accessibility and convenience of participating in gambling activities. In New Zealand, as in many other jurisdictions, this shift has prompted regulatory responses aimed at managing potential risks while balancing consumer demand and industry growth. Despite these efforts, the pervasive nature of online gambling introduces distinct challenges that may exacerbate issues related to mental health. The study will begin by reviewing existing literature on global trends in online gambling and its documented effects on mental health. This will include an analysis of regulatory frameworks implemented in various countries to address these concerns, highlighting successes and challenges in consumer protection and harm minimization strategies. Psychological theories and models explaining addictive behaviors associated with online gambling will be explored to provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the observed impacts. A key focus of this research will be a comparative analysis between online gambling and traditional forms of gambling prevalent in New Zealand, such as land-based casinos and sports betting. By contrasting these modalities, the study aims to elucidate whether online gambling uniquely intensifies mental health risks or presents analogous challenges to traditional gambling activities. Methodologically, the study will employ a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analysis will draw upon national gambling prevalence surveys and data from online gambling platforms to assess the prevalence of online gambling in New Zealand and profile its participants. Qualitative research will involve in-depth interviews with online gamblers and mental health professionals to capture nuanced insights into the psychological and emotional impacts experienced. Findings from the study are expected to contribute empirical evidence on the prevalence of online gambling in New Zealand, alongside comparative assessments of mental health outcomes between online and traditional gamblers. Specific risk factors associated with online gambling addiction and deterioration in mental health will be identified, shedding light on mechanisms through which these impacts manifest. The implications of these findings for policy and regulation will be discussed, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies that safeguard mental well-being without stifling technological innovation or economic contributions from the gambling sector. Recommendations will be made for enhancing existing regulatory frameworks to ensure they adequately address the unique challenges posed by online gambling while promoting responsible gambling practices. This research seeks to advance understanding of the complex interplay between online gambling and mental health in New Zealand. By elucidating comparative impacts and exploring regulatory responses, the study aims to inform evidence-based interventions that support public health objectives while fostering a sustainable gambling environment.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gambling Behavior in Mainland Chinese Gamblers in Macau: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gambling behavior of individuals who were already actively engaged in such pursuits. We aimed to uncover the intricate consequences of the pandemic on this specific demographic, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complex connection between public health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic and gambling behavior from a public health perspective. In addition to identifying immediate impacts, this study holds significance in assessing potential long-term public health implications for the broader gambling industry. This study investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the gambling behavior of Mainland Chinese tourists in Macau from a public health perspective. We aimed to understand the changing patterns of gambling habits within this specific demographic by comparing their behavior before and during the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the evolving dynamics of gambling and their public health consequences. This study provides a detailed exploration of the impact and implications of global health emergencies on this particular demographic's gambling behaviors and preferences. This study used a robust cross-sectional analysis involving a sample of 334 Mainland Chinese gamblers with prior experiences in casinos in Macau. The sample deliberately encompassed individuals involved in gambling before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through carefully designed questionnaires to gather information on gambling habits, preferences, and observed behavioral changes in the sample. This study unveiled a notable shift in Mainland Chinese gamblers' behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A considerable number of participants opted for web-based platforms over traditional land-based casinos, resulting in reduced budgets, less time spent on gambling, and decreased participation in social gambling. Remarkably, there was a notable surge in online gambling, indicating a noteworthy adaptability of gamblers to changing circumstances. These findings emphasize the dynamic nature of gambling habits during global public health emergencies, revealing the resilient and evolving preferences of Mainland Chinese gamblers in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. This study highlights the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on casino gambling, notably evident in a significant decline in Mainland Chinese tourists visiting Macau for gambling. There is a noticeable shift from traditional gambling to web-based alternatives, with individuals seeking options within the pandemic constraints. Furthermore, the findings point out an increase in gambling among the younger generation and behavioral changes in individuals with mood disorders. The findings of this study emphasize the critical need for proactive measures to address evolving gambling preferences and associated risks during public health crises; furthermore, these findings underscore the importance of adaptive strategies within the gambling industry, as well as the necessity for effective public health interventions and regulatory frameworks to respond to unprecedented challenges with efficacy and precision.

Fear of Missing out on Financial Gains: Associations Between Fear of Missing Out, Problem Gambling, and Speculative Trading in College Students

In recent years a fear of missing out (FOMO) on short-term monetary gains through speculative trading has been highlighted as a driving force of financial behaviors. Additionally, increasing evidence has likened speculative trading to gambling. The current study sought to determine whether financial FOMO is linked to stock market and cryptocurrency trading activities and problem gambling severity in both traditional gambling and financial trading domains, among a sample of 258 college students. Results of binomial regression and hurdle model analyses found that financial FOMO was linked to participation in stock market and cryptocurrency trading. Financial FOMO was also associated with problem gambling severity in traditional gambling and the presence of gambling problems in the stock market trading domain. Our results suggest that financial FOMO may be a salient risk factor of problem gambling in traditional gambling domains and, to a smaller degree, in the speculative trading domain among young adults.

Bahaya Judi Online : Dampak Sosial, Ekonomi, Dan Kesehatan

The increasing ease of internet access has led to its misuse in the form of online gambling. Initially, online games served as the entry point, but curiosity and interest have driven teenagers to participate in online gambling. Kartono (2014) defines gambling as the intentional act of risking something valuable with awareness of the associated risks and specific expectations for uncertain events, such as games, matches, races, and other occurrences. The uncertainty of outcomes generates expectations and tension for gamblers. nawati, Prakoso, and Prihatmi (2015) assert that the development of information and communication technology significantly influences the gambling model and its payment methods. Unlike traditional gambling, which requires face-to-face interactions, physical means, and cash payments, online gambling leverages the internet, enabling games without physical encounters. The rapid evolution of online gambling in recent decades has facilitated easy access to various forms of gambling through the internet. Despite gambling's historical existence, online gambling possesses distinct characteristics that entail specific risks. This journal aims to identify and explore the diverse negative impacts associated with online gambling, while also delving into control measures that can be implemented to address these issues. Employing the qualitative descriptive phenomenology research method, our study will uncover shared meanings of the online gambling phenomenon as experienced by a group of students (Sahputra et al., 2022). The methodology employed here is the literature review method, wherein an independent activity is conducted to collect literature data, engage in reading and note-taking, and process research materials from various sources, such as books, online media, print media, and national and international journals. Online gambling has emerged as a concerning phenomenon globally. This journal examines various aspects related to the hazards of online gambling, encompassing social, economic, and health impacts. Additionally, we discuss control efforts that can be implemented to address these issues, with the ultimate goal of enhancing understanding and promoting more effective actions in addressing this problem. Online gambling presents numerous dangers that can adversely affect individuals and society at large. To tackle this issue, control efforts, including stringent regulations, public education, and rehabilitation programs, are imperative. A comprehensive understanding of the perils of online gambling will enable collaborative efforts to create a safer and healthier environment for everyone. Concrete actions are necessary to shield society from the detrimental impacts of online gambling.

Interpassive Gambling

Slot machines are recognized as a particularly risky form of gambling. However, there is a form of slot machine consumption that seems to have largely escaped the notice of regulators and scholars: the streaming of slot machine play on YouTube and other platforms. In this article, we present the results of our qualitative study of 21 slot machine videos. Our study examines how these videos portray gambling and how they align with the norms of YouTube’s platform economy. Our analysis underscores the representation of slot machine gambling in this under-regulated media, emphasizing different tactics of viewer manipulation. We introduce the concept of interpassive gambling to reflect the ways that user-generated videos are a form of diffusion of gambling mechanics beyond traditional gambling venues. We conclude by calling for more scholarly and regulatory attention to this gamblified site of media consumption.

Compulsive Gambling in the Stock Market: Evidence from an Emerging Market

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many new individual investors globally entered the stock markets, often pursuing speculative investment strategies that resemble gambling. A concern is that trading as a form of gambling can become addictive for some people, as documented by several recent studies in developed markets. We contribute to this literature by adding new evidence from a large emerging market, Thailand, where most forms of traditional gambling are illegal. We field a diagnostic checklist from the American Psychiatric Association for compulsive gambling, changing the content of each item to refer to stock market trading instead of gambling. In a survey of 285 Thai investors, we document that 9.5% are potential problem gamblers, while 4.9% meet the stricter criteria for addiction. The trading addiction score explains speculative trading behavior such as frequent trading, day trading and buying high-risk “lottery” stocks, beyond common factors such as overconfidence and high risk-tolerance. Further, the trading addiction score is positively related to high levels of stress and alcohol use, problems often associated with gambling disorders. Our results raise awareness about investors whose objectives are more related to gambling than long-term investment, and the associated problems when such behavior becomes compulsive.

Prevalence of Problematic Gambling in South Australia: A Population Health Perspective

This paper was designed for a public health readership, rather than for the traditional gambling research fraternity, in order that it might reach people working in the wider primary health care field who have an interest in the social, political, and philosophical implications of the emerging phenomenon of modern problematic gambling and gambling disorders in our community. In various iterations of standard prevalence studies designed to determine the number of people in defined populations who are adversely affected by gambling to the extent that they would register a DSM 5 diagnosis for gambling disorder, findings are consistent over time. That is, around 3% of the population is at severe or moderate risk of having a gambling disorder. Given that up to ten other individuals may be impacted adversely by the behaviour of each problem gambler in the community, and suffer the negative consequences of this affliction, the implications for society are clear. Gambling disorder, a preventable condition in essence, has a substantially negative impact on society and requires significant resources for remediation; resources that should rightly be drawn from the industry that profits from gambling and from governments that rely on the inexorably increasing revenue streams flowing from the expanding gambling industry. In contrast, however, resources flowing back to the afflicted in the community are sparse indeed, with South Australia’s Office for Problem Gambling, for example, managing an annual budget of around $5m to support people seeking help for their gambling problems. The challenge for service providers in this context, therefore, has been to achieve the best treatment outcome for each person seeking help for their gambling problem and at the lowest possible cost, hence the current search for efficiency and cost effectiveness in treatment programmes.

Gambling with lottery stocks?

In this article, we assess whether German private investors gamble in the stock market. Other studies that have analyzed private investors’ preferences with regard to lottery-like characteristics have used retail or discount brokerage data. They have shown that stock trading has common entertainment features with traditional gambling. In particular, clients of discount brokers may invest for speculative purposes and thus have disproportional preferences for lottery-like characteristics. In consequence, assessing preferences by solely using a subset of investors—associated brokerage clients—may lead to substantially biased results. We assess this issue by using SHS-base data from Deutsche Bundesbank which captures the aggregate holdings of the German private sector. In line with the research, we find that German private investors overinvest in stocks with lottery-like features. Yet, when assessing the economic significance of the aggregate overinvestment, the effect is negligible. Further, we do not find consistent evidence of skewness that positively affects the aggregate holdings of the private sector. As studies have identified preferences for skewness as a driving force for retail investors’ stock purchases, our results challenge the preconceived notion of which characteristics actually induce (disproportional) private sector investments.

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.

Skin Gambling Contributes to Gambling Problems and Harm After Controlling for Other Forms of Traditional Gambling

Esports betting and skin gambling involve betting on the outcomes of video game competitions and/or using virtual currencies for betting. The present study evaluated a conceptual model linking video game involvement, video-game related gambling, traditional gambling, and gambling problems and harm. Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey with 737 participants aged 18 + who engaged in esports cash betting (n = 576), esports skin betting (n = 184), or skin gambling on games of chance (n = 330). The findings highlighted the distinctly different relationships esports cash betting versus skin gambling had with traditional gambling involvement and harmful gambling. Gambling with skins on games of chance was predictive of gambling problems and gambling harm after controlling for participation in traditional gambling (OR = 1.32 and 1.17 respectively). Whereas betting on esports with cash was associated with betting on a variety of other forms of gambling, and there was no unique contribution to problems and harm over and above participation on these other forms (e.g., EGMs, sports betting). Skin gambling is directly implicated in gambling problems and harm, whereas cash betting on esports is only indicative of interest in many forms of potentially harmful gambling. Greater research attention to skin gambling is warranted, and particularly with respect to its role as a virtual currency more easily accessible for gambling.

Are esports bettors a new generation of harmed gamblers? A comparison with sports bettors on gambling involvement, problems, and harm.

Background and aimsEsports betting is expanding in popularity, yet little is known about who participates in this niche gambling activity. This study aimed to determine whether esports bettors are more vulnerable to harms and problems than gamblers engaged in traditional sports betting.MethodsData were collected from 298 regular esports bettors and 300 sports bettors (who regularly bet on traditional sports, but not esports). These groups were compared on demographics, gambling involvement, problem gambling, and gambling-related harms.ResultsCompared to sports bettors, esports bettors were more likely to be younger, university-educated, employed (lower income earners), and speak a non-English language at home. Esports bettors gambled on fewer traditional gambling activities in the last 12 months, but compared to sports bettors, gambled more frequently on some activities, were more likely to meet problem gambler criteria (64.8.% vs 17.3%), and experience at least one gambling-related harm (81.9% vs 45.3%). Being an esports bettor significantly predicted greater problem gambling severity and gambling-related harms. More frequent esports skin betting and skin gambling (on games of chance) were significant predictors of gambling problems amongst esports bettors.Discussion and conclusionThe results provide preliminary evidence that esports bettors are more likely to experience gambling problems compared to their sports betting counterparts, potentially stemming from their involvement in emerging video-game related gambling products.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on gambling habit: A cross-sectional study from Italy.

Background and aimsFew preliminary studies have shown an impact of COVID-19 confinement on gambling habits. We aim to evaluate short-term effects of lockdown restrictions on gambling behaviors in Italy.MethodsWithin the project Lost in Italy, a web-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 6,003 Italians aged 18–74 years, enrolled during April 27–May 3 2020, and were asked to report gambling activity before the lockdown and at the time of interview.ResultsThe prevalence of participants reporting any gambling decreased from 16.3% before lockdown to 9.7% during lockdown. Traditional gambling decreased from 9.9 to 2.4% and online gambling from 9.9 to 8.0%. Among gamblers, median time of gambling grew from 4.5 to 5.1 h/month. Among non-players before lockdown, 1.1% started playing. Among players before lockdown, 19.7% increased gambling activity. Multivariate analysis showed an increase in gambling activity in younger generations (p for trend = 0.001), current smokers (odds ratio, OR 1.48), users of electronic cigarettes (OR 1.63), heated tobacco products (OR 1.82), cannabis (OR 5.16), psychotropic drugs (OR 3.93), and subjects having hazardous alcohol drinking (OR 1.93). Self-reported low quality of life (OR 1.97), low sleep quantity (OR 2.00), depressive symptoms (OR 3.06) and anxiety symptoms (OR 2.93) were significantly related to an increase in total gambling activity during lockdown.Discussion and conclusionsAlthough gambling substantially decreased during lockdown, time spent in gambling slightly increased. The strong relationship found between compromised mental health and addictive behaviors calls for urgent policies to prevent vulnerable populations from increasing and developing severe gambling addiction.

“Get a £10 Free Bet Every Week!”—Gambling Advertising on Twitter: Volume, Content, Followers, Engagement, and Regulatory Compliance

The internet raises substantial challenges for policy makers in regulating gambling harm. The proliferation of gambling advertising on Twitter is one such challenge. However, the sheer scale renders it extremely difficult to investigate using conventional techniques. In this article, the authors present three U.K. Twitter gambling advertising studies using both big data analytics and manual content analysis to explore the volume and content of gambling ads, the age and engagement of followers, and compliance with U.K. advertising regulations. They analyze 890,000 organic ads from 417 accounts along with data on 620,000 followers and 457,000 engagements (replies and retweets). They find that approximately 41,000 U.K. children follow Twitter gambling accounts, and that two-thirds of gambling advertising tweets fail to fully comply with regulations. Ads for e-sports gambling are markedly different from those for traditional gambling (such as on soccer, casinos, and lotteries) and appear to have strong appeal for children, with 28% of engagements with e-sports gambling ads coming from users under 16 years old. The authors make six policy recommendations: spotlight e-sports gambling advertising, create new social media–specific regulations, revise regulation on content appealing to children, use technology to block users under 18 years from seeing gambling ads, require ad labeling of organic gambling tweets, and deploy better enforcement.

Links between problem gambling and spending on booster packs in collectible card games: A conceptual replication of research on loot boxes.

Loot boxes are digital containers of randomised rewards present in some video games which are often purchasable for real world money. Recently, concerns have been raised that loot boxes might approximate traditional gambling activities, and that people with gambling problems have been shown to spend more on loot boxes than peers without gambling problems. Some argue that the regulation of loot boxes as gambling-like mechanics is inappropriate because similar activities which also bear striking similarities to traditional forms of gambling, such as collectable card games, are not subject to such regulations. Players of collectible card games often buy sealed physical packs of cards, and these 'booster packs' share many formal similarities with loot boxes. However, not everything which appears similar to gambling requires regulation. Here, in a large sample of collectible card game players (n = 726), we show no statistically significant link between in real-world store spending on physical booster and problem gambling (p = 0.110, η2 = 0.004), and a trivial in magnitude relationship between spending on booster packs in online stores and problem gambling (p = 0.035, η2 = 0.008). Follow-up equivalence tests using the TOST procedure rejected the hypothesis that either of these effects was of practical importance (η2 > 0.04). Thus, although collectable card game booster packs, like loot boxes, share structural similarities with gambling, it appears that they may not be linked to problem gambling in the same way as loot boxes. We discuss potential reasons for these differences. Decisions regarding regulation of activities which share structural features with traditional forms of gambling should be made on the basis of definitional criteria as well as whether people with gambling problems purchase such items at a higher rate than peers with no gambling problems. Our research suggests that there is currently little evidence to support the regulation of collectable card games.

A Smartphone-Delivered Ecological Momentary Intervention for Problem Gambling (GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge): Single-Arm Acceptability and Feasibility Trial.

BackgroundLow uptake rates of traditional gambling treatments highlight the need for innovative treatment modalities. Smartphone apps can provide unprecedented access to real-time ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) delivered in people’s everyday lives.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of GamblingLess: Curb Your Urge, the first smartphone app–delivered EMI that aims to prevent gambling episodes by reducing craving intensity in people seeking help for gambling problems.MethodsThis study was a single-arm, 5-week acceptability and feasibility trial (1-week baseline and 4-week intervention periods) involving ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) delivered 3 times daily. The EMAs measured gambling episodes, cravings, and self-efficacy. Web-based evaluations at baseline, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up measured gambling outcomes (severity, cravings, frequency, expenditure, and self-efficacy) and the intervention’s perceived helpfulness, relevance, burden, satisfaction, and impact in relation to gambling cravings.ResultsA total of 36 participants, of whom 22/36 (61%) were male and 34/36 (94%) were problem gamblers, completed the baseline measures, with 61% (22/36) completing the postintervention evaluation and 58% (21/36) completing the follow-up evaluation. The intervention was considered acceptable, as participants perceived all intervention content to be above average in helpfulness and the EMA to be highly relevant but somewhat burdensome. Participants reported that they were satisfied with the intervention and that the intervention improved their knowledge, attitudes, awareness, behavior change, intention to change, and help-seeking behavior for gambling cravings. Regarding the intervention’s feasibility, compliance rates for the EMA (51%) and EMI (15%) were low; however, the intervention was used 166 times, including 59 uses within 60 minutes of EMA completion and 107 on-demand uses. Regarding the intervention’s preliminary effectiveness, descriptive EMA data showed that, compared with the baseline period, 71% and 72% reductions in the average number of gambling episodes and craving occurrences were reported in the intervention period, respectively. In addition, clustered paired-sample two-tailed t tests revealed a significant 5.4% reduction in real-time craving intensity (P=.01) immediately after intervention use, which increased to 10.5% (P=.01), where use was recommended based on craving occurrence. At the group level, significant medium-to-large reductions were observed in mean gambling symptom severity (P=.01 and .003), cravings (P=.03 and .02), frequency (P=.01 and .004), and expenditure (P=.04 and .003) at postintervention and follow-up; moreover, increased mean gambling self-efficacy and craving self-efficacy (P=.01 and .01) were observed at postintervention and increased gambling self-efficacy (P=.04) was observed at follow-up. At the individual level, over a quarter of participants (6/22, 27% to 10/21, 48%) could be categorized as recovered or improved regarding their gambling symptom severity and cravings.ConclusionsThe results support the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of this app-delivered EMI for preventing gambling episodes through craving management in people with gambling problems, which has implications for extending the reach of evidence-based treatment to moments of vulnerability in people’s everyday lives.

Only Gamble in Town: Stock Market Gambling Around the World and Market Efficiency

How does gambling-motivated trading affect aggregate financial market outcomes? Using unique global gambling data covering 38 countries, we estimate that there is 3.5 times as much gambling in stock markets as there is in “traditional” gambling outlets such as casinos and lotteries. Gambling accounts for an estimated 14% of stock market volume in developed countries and one-third of trading in emerging retail-dominated markets. Both forms of gambling have common drivers, including wealth, culture, and economic environment. Restrictions on traditional gambling generate spillovers into stock markets. Exploiting casino regulation as an instrument, we find that stock market gambling increases liquidity and consequently improves the informational efficiency of prices.

The convergence of play: interrelations of social casino gaming, gambling, and digital gaming in Finland

ABSTRACT This study provides an overview of the interactions between the playing of digital games, gambling activities and Social Casino Games (SCG) in the Finnish context. Earlier studies of SCG playing have predominantly focused on US and Australian markets, and have not included digital gaming in examinations. This study uses cross-tabulation to analyze data from a nationally representative survey (n = 946). SCG play was found to be associated with lower levels of educational attainment, younger males, increased digital game play, gambling in digital games, increased use of free-to-play (F2P) games, and microtransactions. Finally, positive associations were found to exist with established forms of gambling, both online and offline. The findings of this research contribute to the understanding of growing convergence between digital gaming and gambling as it is the first to consider digital game play, SCG play and participation in gambling holistically. It found stronger associations between digital game play and SCG play than between gambling consumption and SCG play, thereby highlighting the importance of context in relationships between digital game consumption and gambling. Furthermore, younger generations of Finns are likely to experience convergent gambling-gaming elements in digital gaming platforms and online environments before engaging in traditional gambling activities.

Longitudinal playing trends among daily fantasy sports players

Research suggests that populations of gamblers can adapt rapidly to online sports betting services after subscribing. This pattern of adaptation typically shows an initial play increase followed by a sharp overall betting (e.g., amount wagered and number of bets) decline. Such trends are consistent with models of exposure and adaptation. Although exposure and adaptation effects are observable in a variety of situations, currently we know very little about whether these trends are evident for daily fantasy sports. Understanding this is important because many have compared daily fantasy sports with traditional gambling. To examine this issue, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of daily fantasy sports play on the DraftKings website. We followed 11,338 unique DraftKings players, tracking their overall levels of engagement (i.e., total contest entries, total contest entry fees, and total participation) for 27 months. In this paper, we present daily and monthly trends for these activities. We observed increasing engagement over time among a minority of the most involved players (MIP; i.e., the top 1% of players on each engagement metric). Less involved players (LIP), who comprised the majority of the player pool (i.e., the remaining 99% of players on each metric), tended to exhibit elevated initial engagement followed by decreasing engagement over time. Aggregate playing trends for all groups of players were seasonal, with more engagement during National Football League seasons and less engagement during off-seasons. The results of this study suggest that models of exposure and adaptation, in addition to characterizing the population trends of online gambling activities such as online sports betting, likewise can help to explain population trends of most daily fantasy sports players.