AIM-This qualitative study expands on female problem gambling by examining short online narratives written by Finnish women. Problem gambling is analysed within the familial context in order to discover gendered roles and practices, and in relation to substance use and abuse in women's lives. DESIGN-Two sets of qualitative data were used in this study. The first set was collected from two online discussion forums, and the second set was extracted from an online counselling service data in 2008. Chosen messages formed short narratives of women's problem gambling trajectory (51 cases). The data were analysed in accordance with the content analysis method. RESULTS-Women had started gambling either in adolescence or in adulthood. Most of the women played on slot machines or gambled online. The lack of coping skills, stressful events in life and troubled relationships made the women more vulnerable to gambling harms and other addictions. In some couples, partners were either drinking or gambling. This made the women's lives even more complicated, because they could not count on their partners' help and support. The women tried to hide the consequences of their problem gambling for fear of losing their significant others. CONCLUSIONS-Female gambling and female problem gambling are complex concepts influenced by social, cultural and political factors. This study has shown in its limited framework that female problem gambling is related to the gambling environment, the social acceptance of gambling and the regulation of gambling operations within the place of jurisdiction.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of potential problem gambling among Finnish prisoners; the associations between problem gambling and demographics, substance use and crime-related factors; and problem gamblers’ support preferences. Design/methodology/approach Prisoners (n=96) from two Finnish prisons were recruited between December 2017 and January 2018. The estimated response rate was 31 percent. Gambling problems were measured using the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen. The participants were asked to report their gambling both for one year prior to their incarceration and for the past year. The independent variables were demographics (age, gender and marital status), substance use (alcohol, smoking and narcotics) and crime-related factors (crime type, prison type and previous sentence). Statistical significance (p) was determined using Fischer’s exact test. Findings Past-year pre-conviction problem gambling prevalence was 16.3 percent and past-year prevalence 15 percent. Age, gender, smoking, alcohol or illicit drug use were not associated with past-year problem gambling before sentencing. One-third of the prisoners (33.3 percent) who were sentenced for a property crime, financial crime or robbery were problem gamblers. One-quarter (24 percent) of all participants showed an interest in receiving support by identifying one or more support preferences. The most preferred type of support was group support in its all forms. Research limitations/implications It is recommended that correctional institutions undertake systematic screening for potential problem gambling, and implement tailored intervention programs for inmates with gambling problems. Originality/value This study provides a deeper understanding of problem gambling in prisons. Problem gambling is associated with crime and also seems to be linked with serving a previous sentence. Early detection and tailored interventions for problem gambling may help to reduce reoffending rates.

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Aims: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many treatment or help services for gambling were closed or moved online. At the same time, closures of gambling opportunities impacted gambling availability and practices. This study investigates gamblers’ and their concerned significant others’ (CSOs) experiences and views on treatment and help services during this exceptional time and perceptions on how to develop services further after the pandemic. Design: Three online questionnaires to elicit gambler and CSO experiences were conducted during the spring 2020 in Finland. In total, 847 respondents answered and shared experiences on how the situation had impacted their gambling behaviour and service needs, how service closures or the moving of services online had impacted them, and how they thought the prevention and treatment of gambling harms should be organised during and after COVID-19. Results: Changed gambling practices reduced overall service needs. Service closures had negative impacts, but online services were considered positively, as these provided a low-threshold option. Respondents also shared insights into how the service provision for gamblers should further be developed during and after COVID-19.

Résumé Les théories classiques définissent le jeu comme une activité complexe ayant une réalité spécifique et bénéficiant d’un temps et d’un espace externes au monde quotidien. Dans la vie sociale, la place du jeu est désignée par la culture, la religion et les valeurs d’une certaine époque. Le risque fait allusion au hasard qui distribue les gains et inflige les pertes d’une manière inégale. Pendant longtemps le jeu a été opposé au travail, car le joueur ne suivait pas les étapes du parcours laborieux du travailleur. L’histoire des jeux de hasard montre que les sociétés différentes et les communautés religieuses ont régulé ou interdit leur pratique. En Occident, l’attitude éthique, qui s’est manifestée sous forme de morale vis-à-vis des joueurs passionnés, a été remplacée par une vision pathologique du joueur compulsif au courant du XX ème siècle. L’offre actuelle des jeux d’argent et la médiatisation des pratiques ludiques ont transformé la perception du jeu. La liberté de jouer est toujours contrôlée par les États, mais l’opération des jeux d’argent en ligne dépasse les lois et les frontières. Pour répondre au désir de jouer des individus modernes, mais aussi pour éviter les coûts sociaux, la responsabilité sociale est devenue l’emblème de l’offre et de la régulation des jeux d’argent de nos jours.

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Rahapelaamisen mahdollisuuksien kasvaessa sosiaalialalla toimivat työntekijät tulevat todennäköisesti kohtaamaan rahapeliongelmista kärsiviä asiakkaita. Työntekijöiden asiantuntijuutta tarvitaan asiakkaan ongelman tunnistamisessa, hänen auttamisessaan ja ohjaamisessaan oikeanlaisten palvelujen äärelle. Tätä laadullista tutkimusta varten haastateltiin 24 sosiaalialan ammattilaista, jotka työskentelevät eri toimipaikoissa eri puolilla Suomea. Suurimmalla osalla oli yliopistotutkinto sosiaalityöstä. Menetelmänä käytettiin aineistolähtöistä sisällönanalyysia. Asiantuntijuus alkaa useimmiten yhteiskunnallisen ilmiön (eli ongelmapelaamisen) hahmottamisesta asiakkaiden kertomusten ja omien kokemusten perusteella. Asiantuntijuutta tarvitaan myös asiakkaan kohtaamisessa ja rahapelaamisen puheeksiotossa. Moni haastateltava piti rahapelaamisesta kysymistä tärkeänä, vaikka kaikki eivät aina muistaneet tehdä sitä. Asiantuntijuus ei ollut pelkästään yhden työntekijän varassa, vaan yhteistyötä tekemällä hyödynnettiin kollegoiden monipuolista asiantuntijuutta ja muiden ammattilaisten osaamista.

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