Predictors of adverse gambling behaviours amongst elite athletes

Problem gambling levels amongst elite sportspeople are above populational baseline. We assess gambling in an elite Irish sporting population. An anonymous web-based questionnaire including the validated Problem Gambling Severity Index was distributed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate predictors of moderate/high risk gambling. 608 players (mean age 24) were included. Seventy nine percent of respondents were current gamblers and 6% problem gamblers. Amongst high-risk gamblers, significantly more were male (100% vs 76%, p = 0.003), fewer completed university (52% vs 69%, p = 0.024), and more were smokers (48% vs 24%, p = 0.002). They were also more likely to avail of free online gambling offers (90% vs 44%, p < 0.001), gamble with teammates (52% vs 21%, p < 0.001) and have placed their first bet before age 16 (41% vs 19%, p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, moderate/high risk gambling was associated with: male gender (OR = 8.9 [1.1-69], p = 0.035), no 3rd level education (OR = 2.5 [1.4-5.0], p = 0.002), free online gambling use (OR = 4.3 [2.1-5.3], p < 0.001), gambling with teammates (OR = 3.0 [1.7-5.3], p < 0.001), and being under 18 at first bet (OR = 2.0 [1.1-3.3], p = 0.013). This study shows a harmful gambling culture amongst elite Irish athletes. Male gender, lower educational status, free online gambling use, gambling with teammates and first bet at less than age 18 were associated with moderate/high risk gambling. These groups may benefit from targeted interventions.

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

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