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Hagfors H, Oksanen A, Salonen AH. Gambling Motives and Offshore Gambling: A Finnish Population Study. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:825-840. [PMID: 37768466 PMCID: PMC11272742 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10253-8] [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] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The rise of online gambling has drawn attention towards offshore gambling. Currently there is lack of evidence on reasons and motivations to gamble on offshore gambling sites. This study investigated the general gambling motives of onshore and offshore gamblers, and the reasons to gamble on offshore gambling sites. The study used binary logistic regression model to analyze the data from Finnish Gambling 2019 population survey including adult past-year online gamblers (n = 1,422). The validated measure for problem gambling severity (PGSI, Problem Gambling Severity Index) was used. Furthermore, data-driven qualitative analysis was used to form categories for the reasons to gamble on offshore gambling sites. Offshore gambling was more common among men and younger age groups than among women or older age groups. Offshore gamblers gambled less often for money or worthy causes than onshore gamblers. Furthermore, offshore gamblers had more different types of motives to gamble, they gambled more frequently and had higher problem gambling severity scores (PGSI) than onshore gamblers. Finally, the most common reasons to gamble offshore were: (1) larger game supply and game features, (2) benefits, bonuses, and the usability of the website, and (3) inner motivation. Offshore gambling is characterized with intensity and diversity of gambling behavior and motives, and it poses a risk especially for young men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Hagfors
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland.
- Health and Wellbeing Promotion Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Atte Oksanen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Anne H Salonen
- Health and Wellbeing Promotion Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Tampere, Finland
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Duran S, Demirci Ö, Akgenç F. Investigation of Gambling Behavior, Self-Confidence and Psychological Resilience Levels of University Students. J Gambl Stud 2024:10.1007/s10899-024-10317-3. [PMID: 38805161 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10317-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between gambling behavior, self-confidence, and psychological resilience levels among university students. Additionally, the study aims to investigate the relationship between gambling behavior and socio-demographic variables. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2023. The research employed a questionnaire, the Brief Psychological Resilience Scale, the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and the Self-Confidence Scale. The study was carried out online, reaching 229 students through Google Forms. According to the SOGS scores, 4.8% of the students are at risk of gambling addiction. Male students have statistically significantly higher SOGS scores than female students. The SOGS score is significantly higher in working students, smokers, and alcohol drinkers (p < 0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between the students' SOGS scores and the self- confidence scale (p = 0.637) and the brief resilience scale (p = 0.675). It is thought that training should be given to risky groups in order to prevent gambling behavior. In addition, it is thought that supporting university students to be active in different arts and sports fields may have a positive effect on preventing and reducing addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songul Duran
- Health Services Vocational College, Care of Elderly Program, İzmir Demokrasi University, İzmir, Türkiye.
| | - Özlem Demirci
- Kartal Kosuyolu High Specialization Training and Research Hospital Cardiology Clinic, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Filiz Akgenç
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Türkiye
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Håkansson A, Karlsson A, Widinghoff C. Treatment seeking for gambling disorder in nationwide register data - observations around a major shift in legislation. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1293887. [PMID: 38566789 PMCID: PMC10985188 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1293887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment seeking for gambling disorder is known to be low and there has been a lack of longitudinal research regarding treatment opportunities. The present study aimed to assess possible changes in treatment uptake after a formal introduction of gambling disorder in social services and health care legislations, by using register data, including patient characteristics with respect to socio-demographics and comorbidities. Methods Nationwide register data were collected for the years 2005-2019, describing diagnoses in specialized out-patient health care and in in-patient hospital care. Numbers and characteristics of patients with gambling disorder were followed longitudinally. Also, a new legislation for treatment by public institutions was introduced in 2018, and data were compared for the years before and after the shift in legislation, both nationally, for each of the three major urban regions, and for the rest of the country. Comparisons were made with respect to concurrent mental health comorbidities, age and gender. Results The number of out-patient gambling disorder diagnoses increased over time, but without any significant step changes around the shift in legislation. Over time, patients were younger, became more likely to have gambling disorder as their primary diagnosis, and less likely to have mental health comorbidities, whereas gender distribution did not change. Among the smaller group of patients diagnosed in in-patient settings, mental health comorbidity increased over time. Despite gradual changes over time, no changes in demographics were seen around the actual shift in legislation, although the psychiatric comorbidity appeared to increase after this change. Conclusion After the introduction of gambling disorder in the responsibility of social services and health care settings in Sweden, the number of patients diagnosed with gambling disorder increased only modestly. Likely, further implementation of gambling disorder treatment is required in the health care services. Also, longer longitudinal studies are needed in order to understand to what extent patients not seeking health care treatment are received by municipal social services or remain outside the treatment system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Håkansson
- Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Malmö Addiction Center, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna Karlsson
- Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Carolina Widinghoff
- Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Malmö Addiction Center, Malmö, Sweden
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Koç Ş, Kocakaya R, Türkmen AS, Çakıcı AB. University Students' Gaming and Gambling Behaviors, Related Factors, and the Relationship Between Gaming and Gambling. J Gambl Stud 2023; 39:1661-1674. [PMID: 37115422 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10209-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate university students' gaming and gambling behaviors, the factors that relate to these behaviors, and the connection between gaming and gambling behaviors. The study was designed as survey research, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The sample for the study consists of 232 students who are continuing their education at a state university in Turkey. The data of the research were collected through the Student Information Form, the Game Addiction Scale, and the South Oaks Gambling Screen. While the rate of students with problematic gambling behavior was 9.1% (n = 21), the rate of students with problematic gambling behavior was 14.2% (n = 33). Gaming behavior showed significant differences according to gender, age, the feeling of success, leisure time sufficiency, sleep proficiency, smoking, and alcohol use. Gambling behavior showed significant differences according to gender, family type, family income, the feeling of success, level of happiness, the experience of psychological distress, social relationship satisfaction, smoking, and alcohol use, and the presence of an addicted person in the social environment. Gender, perception of success, leisure proficiency, and alcohol use were variables associated with both gambling and gaming. There was a positive and significant relationship between gaming and gambling behavior (r = .264, p < .001). As a result, it is seen that the variables related to gaming and gambling behavior differ rather than partnership. Considering the weak relationship between gaming and gambling behavior, it is difficult to put forward sharp views on the relationship between gaming and gambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şerife Koç
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye.
| | - Ramazan Kocakaya
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye
| | - Ayse Sonay Türkmen
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Burhan Çakıcı
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye
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Marionneau V, Ruohio H, Karlsson N. Gambling harm prevention and harm reduction in online environments: a call for action. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:92. [PMID: 37481649 PMCID: PMC10362766 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00828-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gambling is increasingly offered and consumed in online and mobile environments. The digitalisation of the gambling industry poses new challenges on harm prevention and harm reduction. The digital environment differs from traditional, land-based gambling environments. It increases many risk-factors in gambling, including availability, ease-of-access, but also game characteristics such as speed and intensity. Furthermore, data collected on those gambling in digital environments makes gambling offer increasingly personalised and targeted. MAIN RESULTS This paper discusses how harm prevention and harm reduction efforts need to address gambling in online environments. We review existing literature on universal, selective, and indicated harm reduction and harm prevention efforts for online gambling and discuss ways forward. The discussion shows that there are several avenues forward for online gambling harm prevention and reduction at each of the universal, selective, and indicated levels. No measure is likely to be sufficient on its own and multi-modal as well as multi-level interventions are needed. Harm prevention and harm reduction measures online also differ from traditional land-based efforts. Online gambling providers utilise a variety of strategies to enable, market, and personalise their products using data and the wider online ecosystem. CONCLUSION We argue that these same tools and channels should also be used for preventive work to better prevent and reduce the public health harms caused by online gambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virve Marionneau
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Centre for Research on Addiction, Control, and Governance, University of Helsinki, Unioninkatu 33, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Heidi Ruohio
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Karlsson
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Mannerheimintie 166, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
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Costes JM, Kairouz S, Fiedler I, Bartczuk RP, Lelonkek-Kuleta B, Minutillo A, Notari L. Online Gambling Practices and Related Problems in Five European Countries: Findings from the Electronic Gam(bl)ing Multinational Empirical Survey (E-GAMES) Project. J Gambl Stud 2023:10.1007/s10899-023-10229-8. [PMID: 37466781 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10229-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Online gambling has demonstrated a significant and growing impact on overall gambling involvement. To examine online gambling practices and associated problems, we conducted surveys with national samples of Internet users in several European countries. The objective of this paper is to provide a portrait of online gambling practices and problems in five European countries (i.e., France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland) with different online gambling regulatory systems. This paper is the first presenting national comparisons of online gambling practices. Participants reported on their gameplay patterns, demographic characteristics, gambling-related problems, gambling frequency, average spending on different online gambling activities, and offline gambling participation over the past 12 months. The Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to assess the severity of gambling problems in relation to online gambling (Ferris & Wynne, 2001 in The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final report, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2001). Pairwise logistic regressions examined the association between problem gambling and sociodemographic variables as well as gambling patterns and problem gambling. In all countries except Italy, the most popular online gambling activity was lotteries with nearly three quarters of participants reporting participation. The prevalence of at-risk and problem gambling was high in all countries with Poland reporting the highest prevalence and Switzerland the lowest. Gamblers who participated in gambling activities other than lottery were more likely to experience gambling-related problems. The rates in the present study are well above the levels usually found in surveys. High online gambling frequency, high spending, and participation in multiple online gambling activities were significantly associated with experiencing gambling-related problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Costes
- Research Chair on Gambling Studies, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvia Kairouz
- Research Chair on Gambling Studies, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University, Office S-H 1125-31, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, QC, H3G 1M8, Canada.
| | - Ingo Fiedler
- Research Chair on Gambling Studies, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Rafal P Bartczuk
- Department of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | - Luca Notari
- Research Institute, Addiction Switzerland, Vaud, Switzerland
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Trapped in hope: the negative impact of hope on gambling decisions. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
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Szerman N, Basurte-Villamor I, Vega P, Mesías B, Martínez-Raga J, Ferre F, Arango C. Is there such a thing as gambling dual disorder? Preliminary evidence and clinical profiles. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 66:78-91. [PMID: 36516511 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Patients with gambling disorder (GD) frequently present other mental disorders, such as substance use disorder (SUDs), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, and impulse-control disorders. We propose that GD should not be conceptualized as a single nosological entity, but rather as a gambling dual disorder (GDD). This study aims to provide further evidence of the co-occurrence of GD and other mental disorders in routine clinical practice and to identify different clinical profiles of severity. This descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study included 116 patients with GD who were undergoing treatment in a specialized center. The MULTICAGE-CAD 4 and South Oaks gambling screen questionnaires confirmed the presence of GD in 97.4% and 100% of the patients, respectively. Other addictive behaviors such as compulsive spending, Internet, video games, or SUD (59.5%, 27.6%, 11.2%, and 13.8%, respectively) were also identified. The most used substances were tobacco (42.2%) and alcohol (5.2%). Half of the patients suffered from ADHD, 30.2% showed moderate or severe depression, and 17.2% suffered from a social anxiety problem. The majority (76.7%) also presented a phenotype with high impulsiveness. The cluster analysis identified two different clinical profiles of severity in patients with GDD. One profile showed higher severity of other mental disorders (ADHD, depression, anxiety, SUD, or insomnia), impulsivity, general psychopathological burden, and disability. In conclusion, our study provides further evidence on the co-occurrence of GD and other mental disorders supporting the GDD existence, shows impulsiveness as a vulnerability factor for GD, and identifies two clinical severity profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Szerman
- WADD and WPA Section Dual Disorders, Mental Health and Psychiatric Institute, Gregorio Marañon University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Basurte-Villamor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Clínica López Ibor, Madrid, Spain; School of Medicine, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pablo Vega
- Institute for Addictions, Madrid Salud, Madrid City Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Mesías
- Institute for Addictions, Madrid Salud, Madrid City Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Martínez-Raga
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset & University of Valencia
| | - Francisco Ferre
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Gregorio Marañón University Hospital, Madrid, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CIBERSAM, Spain
| | - Celso Arango
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Gregorio Marañón University Hospital, Madrid, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, CIBERSAM, Spain
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Jonsson J, Hodgins DC, Lyckberg A, Currie S, Young MM, Pallesen S, Carlbring P. In search of lower risk gambling levels using behavioral data from a gambling monopolist. J Behav Addict 2022; 11:890-899. [PMID: 36125925 PMCID: PMC9872526 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lower-risk recommendations for avoiding gambling harm have been developed as a primary prevention measure, using self-reported prevalence survey data. The aim of this study was to conduct similar analyses using gambling company player data. METHODS The sample (N = 35,753) were Norsk Tipping website customers. Gambling indicators were frequency, expenditure, duration, number of gambling formats and wager. Harm indicators (financial. social, emotional, harms in two or more areas) were derived from the GamTest self-assessment instrument. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were performed separately for each of the five gambling indicators for each of the four harm indicators. RESULTS ROC areas under the curve were between 0.55 and 0.68. Suggested monthly lower-risk limits were less than 8.7 days, expenditure less than 54 €, duration less than 72-83 min, number of gambling formats less than 3 and wager less than 118-140€. Most risk curves showed a rather stable harm level up to a certain point, from which the increase in harm was fairly linear. DISCUSSION The suggested lower-risk limits in the present study are higher than limits based on prevalence studies. There was a significant number of gamblers (5-10%) experiencing harm at gambling levels well below the suggested cut-offs and the risk increase at certain consumption levels. CONCLUSIONS Risk of harm occurs at all levels of gambling involvement within the specific gambling commercial environment assessed in an increasingly available gambling market where most people gamble in multiple commercial environments, minimizing harm is important for all customers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Jonsson
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden,Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | | | | | - Shawn Currie
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Matthew M. Young
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Ottawa, Canada,Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ståle Pallesen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway,Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway,Optentia, The Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Per Carlbring
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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