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The Prevalence and Correlates of Gambling in Australian Secondary School Students. J Gambl Stud 2022; 38:1173-1194. [PMID: 35059933 PMCID: PMC9653348 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-021-10098-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Youth gambling is associated with a range of harms. This study aimed to examine, among Australian adolescents, the prevalence of gambling (ever, in the last month, at-risk and problem), the most frequent gambling types and modalities, and to explore the student characteristics associated with gambling in the last month and with at-risk or problem gambling. Students aged 12–17 years from Victoria and Queensland answered gambling questions as part of the Australian Secondary School Alcohol and Drug (ASSAD) Survey in 2017. The ASSAD also included a series of questions about smoking, alcohol and other drug use, and mental health. A total of 6377 students from 93 schools were included in analysis. The prevalence of ever gambling and gambling in the last month was 31% and 6% respectively. Of students who had gambled in the last month, 34% were classified as at-risk and 15% were classified as problem gamblers. The most frequent types of gambling in the last month were horse or dog race and sports betting. Students who gambled in the last month did so most frequently via a parent or guardian purchasing or playing for them, at home or at a friends’ house, and online or using an app. Regression analysis indicated that male gender, having money available to spend on self, alcohol consumption in the last seven days, the number of types of advertisements seen in the last month, and the number of peer or family members who gambled in the last month, were significantly associated with the likelihood of students gambling in the last month. Male gender, some age categories, and exposure to more types of gambling advertising were also significant predictors of being classified as an at-risk or problem gambler. This large study of youth gambling provides data on gambling behaviours and related variables from a large sample of Australian secondary school students. Student characteristics, including male gender and exposure to more types of gambling advertising, were associated with an increased likelihood of gambling in the last month and of being classified as an at-risk or problem gambler. Further implications of the study findings are discussed.
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Malischnig D, Griffiths MD, Meyer G. Selling Lottery Products To Minors: Factors Affecting Retailer Compliance. Int J Ment Health Addict 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-019-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Goyder E, Blank L, Baxter S, van Schalkwyk MC. Tackling gambling related harms as a public health issue. LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 5:e14-e15. [PMID: 31831371 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30243-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Goyder
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK.
| | - Lindsay Blank
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK
| | - Susan Baxter
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK
| | - May Ci van Schalkwyk
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Howe PDL, Vargas-Sáenz A, Hulbert CA, Boldero JM. Predictors of gambling and problem gambling in Victoria, Australia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209277. [PMID: 30673709 PMCID: PMC6343914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2016, the gambling habits of a sample of 3361 adults in the state of Victoria, Australia, were surveyed. It was found that a number of factors that were highly correlated with self-reported gambling frequency and gambling problems were not significant predictors of gambling frequency and problem gambling. The major predictors of gambling frequency were the degree to which family members and peers were perceived to gamble, self-reported approval of gambling, the frequency of discussing gambling offline, and the participant's Canadian Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score. Age was a significant predictor of gambling frequency for certain types of gambling (e.g. buying lottery tickets). Approximately 91% of the explainable variance in the participant's PGSI score could be explained by just five predictors: Positive Urgency; Frequency of playing poker machines at pubs, hotels or sporting clubs; Participation in online discussions of betting on gaming tables at casinos; Frequency of gambling on the internet, and Overestimating the chances of winning. Based on these findings, suggestions are made as to how gambling-related harm can be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piers D. L. Howe
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Adriana Vargas-Sáenz
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carol A. Hulbert
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer M. Boldero
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Hancock L, Ralph N, Martino FP. Applying Corporate Political Activity (CPA) analysis to Australian gambling industry submissions against regulation of television sports betting advertising. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205654. [PMID: 30325957 PMCID: PMC6191115 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims This research aimed to assess the application to the gambling industry, of Corporate Political Activity (CPA) analysis previously developed from public health research on tobacco industry interactions with political institutions and previously applied to the alcohol industry, but not the gambling industry. Background A growing body of literature has confirmed how public interest outcomes are frequently opposed by vested interests. This research focused on gambling industry submissions to a 2013 Australian Parliamentary inquiry into sports betting advertising. Gambling advertising became highly controversial following deregulation of sports betting advertising in Australia subsequent to the 2008 Australian High Court Betfair challenge. The dramatic increase in gambling advertising during sporting event broadcasts at children’s viewing times and on new interactive technology, sparked public concerns. A series of national regulatory reviews followed and the gambling industry was actively involved in opposing further regulation. Method The research used a corporate political activity (CPA) framework of analysis developed by UK tobacco public health researchers, which identified strategies and tactics used internationally by the tobacco industry, to broker pro-tobacco public policy outcomes. Testing the application of this CPA framework to gambling pro-industry strategies/tactics, this research focused on gambling industry submissions to the 2013 Australian Parliamentary Committee Inquiry. Results Like the tobacco industry, the research found the gambling industry used identified strategies and tactics, some new tactics and a new strategy of ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’, promoting ‘responsible’ industry practices and pre-emptive establishment of internal ‘responsibility’ units/practices. Despite public concerns regarding sports betting advertising, the gambling industry reinforced individual choice/blame for harms and claimed it acted responsibly. It did this using strategies identified in the tobacco industry CPA framework: information strategy (and shaping the evidence base); financial incentive strategy; constituency building strategy; policy substitution strategy; legal strategy; and constituency fragmentation and destabilization strategy. Conclusion Similar to the CPA analysis applied to tobacco and alcohol industries, the research demonstrated the usefulness of the CPA taxonomy for analyzing and documenting pre-emptive industry policy strategies and tactics, exposing gambling industry efforts to maintain industry self-regulation via voluntary codes and avoid more government regulation. Cross-sectoral application of the framework signals great potential for use of CPA by policymakers and public health advocates as a tool in the analysis of corporate industry arguments/discourses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hancock
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADICG), Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalie Ralph
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADICG), Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Teichert T, Gainsbury SM, Mühlbach C. Positioning of online gambling and gaming products from a consumer perspective: A blurring of perceived boundaries. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Gainsbury SM, Delfabbro P, King DL, Hing N. An Exploratory Study of Gambling Operators' Use of Social Media and the Latent Messages Conveyed. J Gambl Stud 2016; 32:125-41. [PMID: 25644444 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-015-9525-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Advertisements for gambling products have historically been restricted due to their potential to normalize gambling and contribute to excessive gambling behaviours among vulnerable populations. However, social media enables gambling operators to promote products and brands with fewer constraints than in traditional forms of media. This study investigated how social media is used by gambling operators to promote gambling activities including an analysis of the latent messages that are conveyed. A representative sample of major land-based and online gambling venues and operators, including casinos, clubs, hotels, lottery and wagering operators (n = 101), was obtained. Websites and social media profiles of gambling operators were audited to investigate the types of social media used, content of promotions, and prevalence of responsible gambling messaging. The results showed that Facebook and Twitter were the dominant platforms used, most commonly by casinos and online wagering operators. A key finding was that online gambling operators included gambling content in conjunction with related news and events, as well as unrelated content, as way of normalizing gambling within a broader social context. Unlike land-based gambling promotions, responsible gambling information tended not to feature in operators' posts and profiles. The key messages propagated in social media gambling promotions were positively framed, and tended to encourage gambling using a range of cross-promotional tactics to emphasize the winning aspect of gambling. The implications of freely accessible and pervasive gambling promotions via social media are discussed with respect to the general community as well as vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally M Gainsbury
- Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia.
| | - Paul Delfabbro
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Daniel L King
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nerilee Hing
- Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
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Derevensky JL, Gainsbury SM. Social casino gaming and adolescents: Should we be concerned and is regulation in sight? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2016; 44:1-6. [PMID: 26421603 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2015.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
While gambling has traditionally been viewed as an adult activity, there is a growing body of research that a significant number of adolescents are not only gambling but are experiencing gambling related problems. As ease of access via Internet wagering has increased, so too have some of the concomitant problems. Social casino gambling, often thought of gambling without risking one's money through the use of virtual currency, has become increasingly popular. The current review examines whether we should be concerned over its widespread use and whether such social games should be regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Derevensky
- International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviors, McGill University, 3724 McTavish Street, Montreal, QC H3A 1Y2, Canada.
| | - Sally M Gainsbury
- Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
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Gainsbury SM, Russell A, Hing N. An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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10
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M. Gainsbury S, Hing N, Delfabbro PH, King DL. A taxonomy of gambling and casino games via social media and online technologies. INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2014.890634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Young poker faces: compliance with the legal age limit on multiple gambling products in the Netherlands. J Gambl Stud 2014; 29:675-87. [PMID: 23065179 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-012-9335-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Gambling is an activity that can be performed on-premise (slot machines in casinos, bars and restaurants) or off-premise (scratch cards and lottery tickets). Although the addictive potential may depend on the specific gambling product, early onset increases the likelihood for future pathological gambling. To delay the onset of gambling behavior and to reduce gambling-related problems, many countries have introduced age limits that should decrease the availability of gambling products to underage individuals. In this study we evaluated compliance to the legal age limit, making use of a mystery shopping method. We distinguished between (1) off-premise scratch cards (n = 51); (2) off-premise lottery tickets (n = 49); (3) on-premise slot machines in casinos (n = 88); and (4) on-premise slot machines in the catering industry (n = 100), and we focus on the factors, such as characteristics of the establishment, buyer, and vendor, that may account for possible differences. The 288 visits demonstrate that gambling products are highly available and accessible to under-aged customers; young customers are still able to gamble despite the legal regulations. The compliance rates fluctuate and appear to be related to the specific gambling product in question. Furthermore, age verification activities and certain outlet- and buyer characteristics, as well as characteristics associated with the purchase attempt, may influence compliance.
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Buckle JL, Dwyer SC, Duffy J, Brown KL, Pickett ND. Personality factors associated with problem gambling behavior in university students. JOURNAL OF GAMBLING ISSUES 2013. [DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2013.28.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated sex differences and personality factors associated with gambling behavior in a non-clinical sample of young men and women. The participants were 212 university students (62 men and 150 women) and their mean age was 18.7 years. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was used to assess problem gambling behavior and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory Form S (College Age) was used to assess personality traits. The results indicated that men were more likely to endorse indicators of gambling problems than were women, with sex differences in different endorsed gambling activities. Of the five personality factors investigated, low Openness to experience and low Agreeableness were most strongly associated with higher scores on the SOGS, indicative of potentially problematic gambling behavior. Further analysis illustrated that for men in particular, low Openness to experience was a key personality factor in relation to higher SOGS scores.
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Gainsbury S, Wood R, Russell A, Hing N, Blaszczynski A. A digital revolution: Comparison of demographic profiles, attitudes and gambling behavior of Internet and non-Internet gamblers. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Chiu EYW, Woo K. Problem Gambling in Chinese American Adolescents: Characteristics and Risk Factors. Int J Ment Health Addict 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-012-9387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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McMullan JL, Kervin M. Selling Internet Gambling: Advertising, New Media and the Content of Poker Promotion. Int J Ment Health Addict 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-011-9336-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Gainsbury S, Wood R. Internet gambling policy in critical comparative perspective: the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks. INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2011.619553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Blinn-Pike L, Worthy SL, Jonkman JN. Adolescent gambling: a review of an emerging field of research. J Adolesc Health 2010; 47:223-36. [PMID: 20708560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2009] [Revised: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 05/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to summarize the research on adolescent gambling with implications for research and prevention or intervention. METHOD The methodology involved a comprehensive and systematic search of "adolescent or youth gambling" in three diverse electronic databases (MedlineAdvanced, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts) and three peer-reviewed journals (International Journal of Gambling Studies, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, and Journal of Gambling Issues). RESULTS The search resulted in 137 articles (1985-2010) focusing on gambling among youth aged between 9 and 21 years: 103 quantitative, 8 qualitative, and 26 non-empirical. The study of adolescent gambling can be summarized as follows: (a) it is conducted by a relatively small group of researchers in Britain, Canada, and the United States; (b) it is primarily prevalence-focused, quantitative, descriptive, school-based, and atheoretical; (c) it has most often been published in the Journal of Gambling Studies; (d) it is most often examined in relation to alcohol use; (e) it has relatively few valid and reliable screening instruments that are developmentally appropriate for adolescents, and (f) it lacks racially diverse samples. CONCLUSION Four recommendations are presented for both research and prevention or intervention which are as follows: (1) to provide greater attention to the development and validation of survey instruments or diagnostic criteria to assess adolescent problem gambling; (2) to begin to develop and test more gambling prevention or intervention strategies; (3) to not only examine the co-morbidity of gambling and alcohol abuse, but also include other behaviors such as sexual activity; and (4) to pay greater attention to racial and ethnic differences in the study of adolescent gambling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Blinn-Pike
- Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
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