1
|
Delfabbro P, Parke J, Catania M. Behavioural Tracking and Profiling Studies Involving Objective Data Derived from Online Operators: A Review of the Evidence. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:639-671. [PMID: 37634166 PMCID: PMC11272745 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10247-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Studies involving the analysis of objective data from online operators attempt to address common concerns about biases in self-report research. This paper surveys the progress in this area of research over the last 15 years. The findings highlight many areas of achievement, including: the development of a set of behavioural markers that reliably differentiate variations in gambler risk. Online gamblers can be grouped into clusters based on the intensity and frequency of gambling; behavioural variability; or, signs of over-commitment (e.g., deposit frequency or expenditure patterns). Behavioural indicators have also been successfully used to predict proxies of harm such as self-exclusion or account closures. However, relatively few studies have combined objective data with self-report data to achieve independent validation of the risk-status of gamblers. Evidence also supports the potential value of short-term responsible gambling interventions involving the use of voluntary and mandatory limits, messages and behavioural feedback. Less work has, on the other hand, addressed the comparative risk of different online gambling products. The findings suggest the need for further validation of findings against independent measures of gambling risk; consistent definitions of indicators; a greater focus on the differentiation of product risk; and, on the long-term impact of RG interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Delfabbro
- School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gavriel-Fried B, Malka I, Levin Y. The Dual Burden of Emerging Adulthood: Assessing Gambling Severity, Gambling-Related Harm, and Mental Health Challenges. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:702. [PMID: 38928948 PMCID: PMC11203917 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Growing concerns over gambling problems across age groups have sparked research in public health and psychology. During emerging adulthood, individuals are more susceptible to mental health problems and more likely to develop gambling problems than in other age groups. This study explored the potential differences between emerging adults and adults aged 30+ in terms of problem gambling severity (PGS), gambling-related harm (GRH), depression and anxiety, and the mediating role of depression and anxiety in the association between age, PGS, and GRH. A representative online sample of 3244 Israelis aged 18 and over was divided into two groups: 740 emerging adults aged 18-29 and 2504 adults aged 30+. Gambling behaviors, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, the Short Gambling Harm Screen, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 assessing depression and anxiety were administered. Emerging adults had significantly higher levels of GRH, PGS, and depression-anxiety than their older counterparts, above and beyond gender and education. Depression-anxiety fully mediated the associations between age and gambling-related outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of considering psychological well-being in efforts to address problem gambling and gambling-related harms, especially in emerging adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Belle Gavriel-Fried
- The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel;
| | - Inbar Malka
- The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel;
| | - Yafit Levin
- Department of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gooding NB, Young MM, Hodgins DC. A Longitudinal Investigation of Lower-Risk Gambling Limits in the Canadian National Study. J Gambl Stud 2024:10.1007/s10899-024-10303-9. [PMID: 38652385 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10303-9] [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: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Recent years have seen increased attention given to identifying and describing the levels of gambling participation that confer a risk of harm in order to generate public health advice regarding lower-risk gambling. However, most of the existing literature has failed to explicitly assess these limits in a prospective manner. The purpose of this study is to employ a methodology consistent with prior investigations to evaluate the level of gambling participation associated with an increased risk of future gambling-related harm. Using data from the Alberta Gambling Research Institute's National Project Online Panel Survey, risk ratios and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to determine the relative risk of gambling-related harm associated with participating in a greater number of gambling formats, gambling more days per month, and spending a greater proportion of income gambling. Prospective lower-risk limits were largely consistent with those identified in previous cross-sectional analyses (e.g., no more than two gambling formats, no more than once a week), with the exception that higher limits were found for the percent of household income spent gambling (3.4-6.4% vs. 1%). We advise that future research on lower-risk gambling limits consider the use of more granular assessment instruments and prospective methods to more closely evaluate the association between gambling participation and gambling harm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nolan B Gooding
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Matthew M Young
- Greo Evidence Insights, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David C Hodgins
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pagano A, Le T, Fong T, Reid R, Delucchi K, Guydish J. Gambling, tobacco use, and health among individuals in substance use disorder treatment. Am J Addict 2023; 32:563-573. [PMID: 37543853 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Gambling is highly comorbid with disordered use of tobacco and other drugs, and may increase relapse risk among substance use disorder (SUD) patients. We investigated associations between gambling and tobacco use behaviors among SUD patients to inform clinical care. METHODS Patients (N = 651, 170 female) from 25 residential SUD treatment programs in California completed surveys about tobacco use, health, and gambling. Using multivariate regression, we examined associations between gambling, tobacco use behaviors, and mental and physical health. RESULTS Past-year gamblers were more likely than non-gamblers to be current smokers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 2.01). Smokers who gambled had higher mean Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) scores (mean difference = +0.32, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.60), and more often reported smokeless tobacco use (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.16, 2.58), compared to non-gambling smokers. Past-year problem gamblers were more likely than all others (non-gamblers and non-problem gamblers) to be current smokers (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.90) and to report high psychosocial stress (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34, 2.61). Smokers with problem gambling also had higher HSI scores (mean difference = +0.54, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.95) compared to smokers without problem gambling. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Gambling and problem gambling were associated with tobacco use and heavier smoking. SUD patients with gambling comorbidity may be heavier smokers and may need concurrent treatment for tobacco use and problem gambling. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE This study provides novel data regarding gambling and tobacco use behaviors among SUD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pagano
- Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Thao Le
- Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Timothy Fong
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rory Reid
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kevin Delucchi
- UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joseph Guydish
- Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Russell AM, Browne M, Hing N, Rockloff M, Newall P, Dowling NA, Merkouris S, King DL, Stevens M, Salonen AH, Breen H, Greer N, Thorne HB, Visintin T, Rawat V, Woo L. Electronic gaming machine accessibility and gambling problems: A natural policy experiment. J Behav Addict 2023; 12:721-732. [PMID: 37594879 PMCID: PMC10562817 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are one of the most harmful forms of gambling at an individual level. It is unclear whether restriction of EGM functions and accessibility results in meaningful reductions in population-level gambling harm. Methods A natural policy experiment using a large (N = 15,000) national dataset weighted to standard population variables was employed to compare estimates of gambling problems between Australian residents in Western Australia (WA), where EGMs are restricted to one venue and have different structural features, to residents in other Australian jurisdictions where EGMs are widely accessible in casinos, hotels and clubs. Accessibility of other gambling forms is similar across jurisdictions. Results Gambling participation was higher in WA, but EGM participation was approximately half that of the rest of Australia. Aggregate gambling problems and harm were about one-third lower in WA, and self-reported attribution of harm from EGMs by gamblers and affected others was 2.7× and 4× lower, respectively. Mediation analyses found that less frequent EGM use in WA accounted for the vast majority of the discrepancy in gambling problems (indirect path = -0.055, 95% CI -0.071; -0.038). Moderation analyses found that EGMs are the form most strongly associated with problems, and the strength of this relationship did not differ significantly across jurisdictions. Discussion Lower harm from gambling in WA is attributable to restricted accessibility of EGMs, rather than different structural features. There appears to be little transfer of problems to other gambling forms. These results suggest that restricting the accessibility of EGMs substantially reduces gambling harm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex M.T. Russell
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 400 Kent St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Matthew Browne
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 6 University Dr, Branyan, QLD 4670, Australia
| | - Nerilee Hing
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 6 University Dr, Branyan, QLD 4670, Australia
| | - Matthew Rockloff
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 6 University Dr, Branyan, QLD 4670, Australia
| | - Philip Newall
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 400 Kent St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Nicki A. Dowling
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Stephanie Merkouris
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Daniel L. King
- College of Education, Psychology, & Social Work, Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | | | - Anne H. Salonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Health and Well-Being Promotion Unit, Mannerheimintie 166, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Helen Breen
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Southern Cross University, Military Rd, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Nancy Greer
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 120 Spencer St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Hannah B. Thorne
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Appleton Institute, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Tess Visintin
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Appleton Institute, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Vijay Rawat
- Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, 120 Spencer St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Linda Woo
- Independent Consultant, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
What Constitutes ‘Gaming’ in the Gaming Disorder?: Observations and Recommendations. Indian J Psychol Med 2023; 45:297-303. [PMID: 37152383 PMCID: PMC10159567 DOI: 10.1177/02537176221150601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
|
7
|
Hodgins DC, Young MM, Currie SR, Abbott M, Billi R, Brunelle N, Costes JM, Dufour M, Flores-Pajot MC, Olason DT, Paradis C, Romild U, Salonen A, Volberg R, Nadeau L. Lower-risk gambling limits: linked analyses across eight countries. INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2022.2143546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David C. Hodgins
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Matthew M. Young
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Shawn R. Currie
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Max Abbott
- Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rosa Billi
- Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Natacha Brunelle
- Département de psychoéducation, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | | | - Magali Dufour
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Daniel T. Olason
- Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Ulla Romild
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Anne Salonen
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rachel Volberg
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Louise Nadeau
- Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Langeland E, Johnsen IF, Sømme KK, Morken AM, Erevik EK, Kolberg E, Jonsson J, Mentzoni RA, Pallesen S. One size does not fit all. Should gambling loss limits be based on income? Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1005172. [PMID: 36465287 PMCID: PMC9709812 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1005172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research has suggested empirically based gambling loss limits, with the goal of preventing gambling related harm in the population. However, there is a lack of studies relating gambling loss limits to individual factors such as income. The current study examines whether gambling loss limits should be income-specific. Materials and methods The dataset was derived from three representative cross-sectional surveys of the Norwegian population and consisted of 14,630 gamblers. Four income groups, based on a quartile approximation, were formed. Gambling related harm was measured with the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and precision-recall (PR) analyses were used to identify loss limits for the different income groups at two levels of gambling severity: moderate-risk gambling and problem gambling. Results For both levels of gambling severity, we found the lowest income group to have the lowest gambling loss limits, and the highest income group to have the highest loss limits, which compared to the loss limits for the total sample, were lower and higher, respectively. Calculating the cut-offs for moderate-risk gamblers, we found a consistently ascending pattern from the lowest to the highest income group. Calculating the cut-offs for problem gamblers, we found a similar pattern except for the two middle income groups. Conclusion The results suggest that income moderates empirically derived gambling loss limits. Although replication is required, income-based gambling loss limits may have higher applied value for preventing gambling related harm, compared to general loss limits aimed at the entire population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elias Langeland
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Kaja Kastrup Sømme
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Magnus Morken
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eilin Kristine Erevik
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Eirin Kolberg
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jakob Jonsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rune Aune Mentzoni
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ståle Pallesen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Competence Center for Gambling and Gaming Research, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Perrot B, Hardouin JB, Thiabaud E, Saillard A, Grall-Bronnec M, Challet-Bouju G. Development and validation of a prediction model for online gambling problems based on players' account data. J Behav Addict 2022; 11:874-889. [PMID: 36125924 PMCID: PMC9872531 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2022.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Gambling disorder is characterized by problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems and distress. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for screening online problem gamblers based on players' account data. METHODS Two random samples of French online gamblers in skill-based (poker, horse race betting and sports betting, n = 8,172) and pure chance games (scratch games and lotteries, n = 5,404) answered an online survey and gambling tracking data were retrospectively collected for the participants. The survey included age and gender, gambling habits, and the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). We used machine learning algorithms to predict the PGSI categories with gambling tracking data. We internally validated the prediction models in a leave-out sample. RESULTS When predicting gambling problems binary based on each PGSI threshold (1 for low-risk gambling, 5 for moderate-risk gambling and 8 for problem gambling), the predictive performances were good for the model for skill-based games (AUROCs from 0.72 to 0.82), but moderate for the model for pure chance games (AUROCs from 0.63 to 0.76, with wide confidence intervals) due to the lower frequency of problem gambling in this sample. When predicting the four PGSI categories altogether, performances were good for identifying extreme categories (non-problem and problem gamblers) but poorer for intermediate categories (low-risk and moderate-risk gamblers), whatever the type of game. CONCLUSIONS We developed an algorithm for screening online problem gamblers, excluding online casino gamblers, that could enable the setting of prevention measures for the most vulnerable gamblers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Perrot
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients Centered Outcomes and HEalth ResEarch, SPHERE, F-44000, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Biostatistics and Methodology Unit, Department of Clinical Research and Innovation, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Jean-Benoit Hardouin
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients Centered Outcomes and HEalth ResEarch, SPHERE, F-44000, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Biostatistics and Methodology Unit, Department of Clinical Research and Innovation, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Elsa Thiabaud
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, UIC Psychiatrie et Santé Mentale, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Anaïs Saillard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, UIC Psychiatrie et Santé Mentale, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Marie Grall-Bronnec
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients Centered Outcomes and HEalth ResEarch, SPHERE, F-44000, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, UIC Psychiatrie et Santé Mentale, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Gaëlle Challet-Bouju
- Nantes Université, Univ Tours, CHU Nantes, CHU Tours, INSERM, MethodS in Patients Centered Outcomes and HEalth ResEarch, SPHERE, F-44000, Nantes, France,Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, UIC Psychiatrie et Santé Mentale, F-44000, Nantes, France,Corresponding author. Tel.:+33(0) 2 40 84 76 20. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kim HS, Sanches M, Mariani MMDC, Hodgins DC, Tavares H. Examining the Gambling-Related Harms, Gambling Disorder, and Player Characteristics of Jogo do Bicho (an Illegal National Lottery) in a Representative Sample of Brazilian Lottery Players. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00865-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
|
11
|
Dowling NA, Youssef GJ, Greenwood C, Merkouris SS, Suomi A, Room R. The Identification of Low-risk Gambling Limits for Specific Gambling Activities. J Gambl Stud 2022; 38:559-590. [PMID: 34061293 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-021-10036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
An emerging literature has identified optimal low-risk gambling limits in an effort to reduce gambling-related harm. Concerns have, however, been raised about the construction of aggregate low-risk limits that are applied to all gambling activities and there is support from gambling experts and the general public in Australia for the identification of low-risk limits for specific gambling activities. The study's aim was to identify and evaluate a set of empirically-based activity-specific limits (gambling frequency, gambling expenditure, gambling expenditure as a proportion of gross personal income, session expenditure, session duration) in a secondary analysis of Social and Economic Impact Studies of Gambling in Tasmania and the 2014 Survey on Gambling, Health and Wellbeing in the ACT. Balancing sensitivity and specificity, limits were identified for all gambling activities: EGMs (10 times per year, AUD$300/year, 0.63-1.04% of personal income, AUD$35 per session, 40 min/session), horse/dog racing (0.55% of personal income), instant scratch tickets (AUD$45/year), lotteries (0.45% of personal income), keno (4-13 times/year, AUD$45-$160/year), casino table games (AUD$345/year, 0.36-0.76% of personal income), bingo (AUD$150/year, 0.49% of personal income, AUD$17/session, 90 min/session), and sports/other event betting (14 times/year, AUD$400/year, 0.55-0.86% of personal income). These limits were exceeded by one-quarter to one-half of gamblers on these specific activities and were generally good predictors of gambling-related harm in subgroups of gamblers participating in these gambling activities and in the overall gambling sample. The limits provide gamblers, regulators, prevention workers, and researchers with simple rules of thumb in prevention efforts to reduce gambling-related harm in specific contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N A Dowling
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
- Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - G J Youssef
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - C Greenwood
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S S Merkouris
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - A Suomi
- Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia
- Institute of Child Protection Studies, The Australian Catholic University, Watson, ACT, 2612, Australia
| | - R Room
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
- Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hing N, Russell AM, Black A, Rockloff M, Browne M, Rawat V, Greer N, Stevens M, Dowling NA, Merkouris S, King DL, Salonen AH, Breen H, Woo L. Gambling prevalence and gambling problems amongst land-based-only, online-only and mixed-mode gamblers in Australia: A national study. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
13
|
Greenwood CJ, Youssef GJ, Merkouris SS, Dowling NA. The shape of gambling risk-curves for frequency, expenditure and proportion of income in Australia. Addiction 2021; 116:3219-3226. [PMID: 33822435 DOI: 10.1111/add.15507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Examining risk-curves is important to understanding the degree to which indices of gambling consumption are associated with gambling-related harm. Risk-curves have largely been described as J-shaped, suggesting that at low levels of consumption harm remain constant but then increase sharply at a certain threshold. Alternative methods in recent work, however, have described risk-curves as linear and R-shaped, indicating that risk of harm increases as consumption increases at all levels of consumption. The aim of the current study is to estimate the shape of gambling risk-curves using competing methods. DESIGN Systematic comparison of gambling risk-curves using categorical (via plots) and continuous (via bootstrapped regression analyses) operationalizations of gambling consumption. Setting and participants Data were 2873 gamblers (1417 women) from the fourth Social and Economic Impact Study of Gambling in Tasmania. MEASUREMENTS Gambling-related harm was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS). Gambling consumption was assessed as annual frequency, expenditure and expenditure as a proportion of income. FINDINGS Categorical gambling consumption data plotted with equal magnitudes evidenced J-shaped risk-curves. When the magnitude of gambling categories was re-scaled to the mid-points, risk-curves no longer appeared J-shaped. Additionally, bootstrapped regression analyses using the continuous gambling consumption data did not provide evidence for J-shaped risk-curves. CONCLUSIONS Gambling risk-curves in Tasmania appear not to be J-shaped, but rather suggest that risk of gambling-related harm increases with even small increases in gambling consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Greenwood
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - George J Youssef
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Stephanie S Merkouris
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Nicki A Dowling
- Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Browne M, Rawat V, Tulloch C, Murray-Boyle C, Rockloff M. The Evolution of Gambling-Related Harm Measurement: Lessons from the Last Decade. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094395. [PMID: 33919050 PMCID: PMC8122250 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Jurisdictions around the world have a self-declared mandate to reduce gambling-related harm. However, historically, this concept has suffered from poor conceptualisation and operationalisation. However, recent years have seen swift advances in measuring gambling harm, based on the principle of it being a quantifiable decrement to the health and wellbeing of the gambler and those connected to them. This review takes stock of the background and recent developments in harm assessment and summarises recent research that has validated and applied the Short Gambling Harms Screen and related instruments. We recommend that future work builds upon the considerable psychometric evidence accumulated for the feasibility of direct elicitation of harmful consequences. We also advocate for grounding harms measures with respect to scalar changes to public health utility metrics. Such an approach will avoid misleading pseudo-clinical categorisations, provide accurate population-level summaries of where the burden of harm is carried, and serve to integrate gambling research with the broader field of public health.
Collapse
|