1
|
Clune S, Ratnaike D, White V, Donaldson A, Randle E, O'Halloran P, Lewis V. What is known about population level programs designed to address gambling-related harm: rapid review of the evidence. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:118. [PMID: 38890632 PMCID: PMC11184756 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gambling and gambling-related harm attract significant researcher and policy attention. The liberalisation of gambling in most western countries is strongly associated with a marked rise in gambling activity and increases in gambling-related harm experienced at the population level. Programs to address gambling-related harm have traditionally focused on individuals who demonstrate problematic gambling behaviour, despite clear evidence of the effectiveness of a public health approach to high-risk activities like gambling. Little is known about the availability or efficacy of programs to address gambling-related harm at a population level. METHODS The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation commissioned a rapid evidence review of the available evidence on programs designed to reduce gambling-related harm at a population level. The review was conducted using a public health and harm reduction lens. MEDLINE, ProQuest Central and PsychInfo databases were searched systematically. Included studies were published in English between 2017 - 2023 from all countries with gambling policy contexts and public health systems comparable to Australia's; included primary data; and focused on primary and/or secondary prevention of gambling-related harm or problems. RESULTS One hundred and sixty-seven articles were eligible for inclusion. Themes identified in the literature included: risk and protective factors; primary prevention; secondary prevention; tertiary prevention; target population group; and public health approach. The evidence review revealed a gap in empirical evidence around effective interventions to reduce gambling-related harm at the population level, particularly from a public health perspective. CONCLUSIONS Addressing gambling-related harm requires a nuanced, multi-layered approach that acknowledges the complex social, environmental, and commercial nature of gambling and associated harms. Moreover, evidence demonstrates community programs to reduce gambling-related harm are more successful in reducing harm when based on sound theory of co-design and address the social aspects that contribute to harm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Clune
- Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing (AIPCA), La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia.
| | - Deepika Ratnaike
- Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing (AIPCA), La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Vanessa White
- Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing (AIPCA), La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Alex Donaldson
- Centre for Sport and Social Impact (CSSI), La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Erica Randle
- Centre for Sport and Social Impact (CSSI), La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Paul O'Halloran
- Centre for Sport and Social Impact (CSSI), La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Virginia Lewis
- Australian Institute for Primary Care & Ageing (AIPCA), La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Thomas S, Cowlishaw S, Francis J, van Schalkwyk MCI, Daube M, Pitt H, McCarthy S, McGee D, Petticrew M, Rwafa-Ponela T, Minja A, Fell G. Global public health action is needed to counter the commercial gambling industry. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad110. [PMID: 37738551 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean Cowlishaw
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Francis
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - May C I van Schalkwyk
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simone McCarthy
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Petticrew
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Teurai Rwafa-Ponela
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Greg Fell
- Director of Public Health, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield, UK
- Vice President UK Association of Directors of Public Health, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pitt H, McCarthy S, Thomas SL, Randle M, Marko S, Cowlishaw S, Kairouz S, Daube M. Older adults' perceptions of the risks associated with contemporary gambling environments: Implications for public health policy and practice. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2023; 8:1061872. [PMID: 37006633 PMCID: PMC10060892 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1061872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rapid changes in the Australian gambling environment have amplified the risks for gamblers and pose significant threats to public health. Technological advances, saturation of marketing, and the embedding of gambling in sport have all contributed to significant changes in the gambling risk environment. Older adults have witnessed the changes to the way gambling is provided and promoted in public spaces, but little is known about how these changes have shaped the way they conceptualize the risks associated with gambling. METHOD Guided by critical qualitative inquiry, semi structured interviews were conducted with 40 Australian adults aged 55 years and older, who had gambled at least once in the last 12 months. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. RESULTS Participants discussed gambling environments in Australia and how they had changed through the proliferation of gambling products, environments, and opportunities; the risks posed through the embedding of gambling in community and media environments; the role of technology in gambling environments; and the role of marketing and promotions in the changing gambling environments. Participants recognized that these factors had contributed to gambling environments becoming increasingly risky over time. However, despite the perception of increased risk, many participants had engaged with new gambling technologies, products, and environments. DISCUSSION This research supports the adoption of public health responses that include consideration of the environmental, commercial, and political factors that may contribute to risky gambling environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Simone McCarthy
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha L. Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie Randle
- Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Marko
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean Cowlishaw
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sylvia Kairouz
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Johnson RH, Pitt H, Randle M, Thomas SL. A scoping review of the individual, socio-cultural, environmental and commercial determinants of gambling for older adults: implications for public health research and harm prevention. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:362. [PMID: 36803320 PMCID: PMC9940406 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gambling is a global public health issue that can cause harm to individuals, families, and communities. Older adults are vulnerable to gambling harm due to life-stage experiences. This study aimed to examine current research relating to individual, socio-cultural, environmental, and commercial determinants of gambling among older adults. A scoping review was conducted (PubMed, PsycInfo, SocIndex, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Social Science and Sociology databases available in ProQuest, Google Scholar, citation searching), with peer reviewed studies included that were published between 1 December 1999 and 28 September 2022. Included studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals that examined the determinants of gambling in adults aged 55 and over. Records were excluded if they were experimental studies, prevalence studies or had a population wider than the required age group. Methodological quality was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data was extracted using a determinants of health framework and common themes were identified. Forty-four were included. Most literature examined individual and socio-cultural determinants including reasons for gambling, risk management strategies, and social motivations for gambling. Few studies investigated environmental or commercial determinants, and those that did focused on accessibility of venues or promotions as pathways to gambling. Further research is needed to understand the impact of gambling environments and industry, and effective public health responses for older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca H. Johnson
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220 Geelong, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220 Geelong, Australia
| | - Melanie Randle
- grid.1007.60000 0004 0486 528XSchool of Business, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong, Building 40, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2500 Australia
| | - Samantha L. Thomas
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, VIC 3220 Geelong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marko S, Thomas S, Pitt H, Daube M. "Aussies love a bet": Gamblers discuss the social acceptance and cultural accommodation of gambling in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:829-834. [PMID: 36190196 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore regular gamblers' perceptions of the social acceptance and cultural accommodation of gambling in Australia, which are two dimensions of the normalisation of gambling. METHODS Qualitatively focused online survey with 363 adults in New South Wales and Victoria who gambled in a typical month. Open-text responses about the link between gambling and Australian culture were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis to construct themes from the data. RESULTS Gambling was perceived to be a culturally significant part of Australian life due to existing traditions, the perception that gambling was central to the Australian identity, and perceived economic benefits. Participants considered that gambling was a common and socially accepted activity that was embedded in the activities of social networks. Participants also stated that gambling products, venues and marketing were embedded in everyday environments, although some believed that the embedding of gambling in society was harmful. Conclusion and public health implications: This study demonstrated that regular gamblers largely viewed gambling as being a socially accepted and culturally accommodated activity in Australia. There is scope for governments to develop comprehensive programs to denormalise gambling, including learning from research, evidence and experience in other areas of public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Marko
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Victoria
| | - Samantha Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Victoria
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Victoria
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McCarthy S, Pitt H, Bellringer ME, Thomas SL. Strategies to prevent and reduce gambling harm in Australian women. DRUGS: EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND POLICY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2021.1973963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone McCarthy
- Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Maria E. Bellringer
- Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, School of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Samantha L. Thomas
- Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|