This study assessed the following among elite athletes and their coaches in Sweden: (i) prevalence of gambling and 'at risk for gambling problems' (PGSI 3+); and (ii) relations between 'at risk for gambling problems' and attitudes towards gambling, experiences of gambling, and individual and demographic factors. A total of 1438 athletes and 401 coaches, in four sports, completed an online survey. Overall, 2% of female athletes and 13% of male athletes were classified as being 'at risk for gambling problems'. Using an ordinal logistic regression, the results showed associations between 'at risk for gambling problems' and eight of the investigated variables: 'talk about gambling during training', 'coaches positive attitude towards gambling', 'gambling companies encourage gambling', 'I have gambled on own game', 'someone I know has gambled on their own game', 'gambling is important in the family', 'someone in my acquaintance have/had a gambling problem', 'alcohol consumption' among the athletes. Coaches of men's teams had a higher prevalence (7%) than did coaches of women's teams (3%). The findings suggest that the sports clubs should have greater knowledge about gambling problems as well as a communication strategy of their acquired knowledge to their athletes and coaches.
Considering the financial connections between sport and the gambling industry, more should be learned about gambling and problem gambling in this setting. This study explores how male athletes, coaches, and sports managers experience gambling activities and problems in their sports. Interviews were conducted with 30 male elite athletes, coaches, and managers in four sports. The interviews were analysed using content analysis, and the results indicated two main themes: 1) desire for and concerns with money and 2) in the shadow of performance, and three categories. The first main theme emerged as a result of the respondents recurring reference to money as the reason to different actions: It is important to win money,’too little’ or ‘too much’ money is described as reason for gambling, athletes status is affected by money and sponsor money from the gambling companies are considered important. ‘In the shadow of the performance’ captures the reason to and value of performance: The thrill and money are rewards for the gambling performance, everyday sporting life emphasizes performance both in training and matches. Lack of successful performance is perceived as a threat and evokes a fear of being seen as weak and being ejected from the team. This study identifies gambling as normalized within male elite sport. Preventing gambling problems calls for action at all levels of the involved socio-ecological framework. Management, coaches, and athletes need more knowledge of gambling and how to create a sustainable framework to prevent gambling problems.
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