A casino in my pocket: Gratifications associated with obsessive and harmonious passion for mobile gambling

Abstract

Mobile gambling differs from land-based and traditional forms of gambling in that the opportunity to place bets and engage with casinos is constantly present and easily accessible. Instead of going to a physical bookmaker or casino, mobile gambling is done quickly and swiftly, anytime, anywhere, with a few taps on a mobile device. Previous studies reveal mobile gambling has managed to reach new audiences especially amongst younger people. Gambling harms can have severe adverse effects on individuals, families and society. However, for a subgroup of highly involved individuals, gambling can be considered a harmonious passion that permits frequent gambling without elevating individual’s risks of experience problem gambling manifestations. Combining the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) and Dualistic Model of Passion (DMP) frameworks, the present study aims to determine if and how the different gratifications sought from mobile gambling are susceptible to explaining non-problematic versus problematic patterns in highly involved gamblers. Data were collected over two waves from a global sample of mobile gamblers (N = 327). Results emphasize that the motivational underpinnings of mobile gambling (as measured by the U&G) differ in obsessive versus harmonious passion. Obsessive passion is associated with poor mood and problematic gambling. In contrast, harmonious passion for mobile gambling is associated with positive mood but is unrelated to problematic gambling. Based on these findings, and given that problematic gambling is an internationally relevant public health issue (the prevalence of problem gambling is estimated to range from 0.1% to 5.8% in different countries), we suggest interventions focusing on specific uses and gratifications associated with an obsessive passion for mobile gambling may be effective in reducing problematic usage patterns.

Assessment of mental health of medical personnel during COVID-19: insights from Pakistan

“…Contrary to obsessive passion, harmonious passion refers to an independent internalization that causes people to choose and participate in the activity they want ( Luu, 2021 ; Whelan et al, 2021 ). An independent internalization occurs because without any contingencies added to it when individuals realized the importance of activity essential to them.…”

Towards a conceptual framework for the prevention of gambling-related harms: Findings from a scoping review

“…healthcare systems, and developing societal-level messaging that destigmatises GRH. Additionally, digitalisation affects gambling activities in a way that does not apply to alcohol, tobacco or HFSS consumption [1,3]. Therefore, we do not wish to suggest that the PH approaches evident in the scoping review represent an exhaustive list, nor that all approaches in other sectors are necessarily effective for, or relevant to, gambling.…”

“…As of 2021, the global online gambling industry alone was worth US $61.5 billion, forecast to rise to US$114.4 billion by 2028 [2]. The increasing accessibility of gambling-such as the products available through smartphones [3]-increases the possibility of gambling-related harms (GRH) [4]. These harms are wide-ranging, covering numerous dimensions (such as financial, emotional or cultural) and they are not restricted to the gambler, also affecting their families and social networks [5].…”

Does work passion benefit or hinder employee’s career commitment? The mediating role of work–family interface and the moderating role of autonomy support

“…Based on the dualistic model of passion, previous studies have reported that harmonious passion is closely related to positive work outcomes (e.g., job satisfaction and organizational commitment [ 1 , 2 ]); conversely, obsessive passion is not related to positive work outcomes (e.g., work satisfaction [ 30 ] and work performance [ 2 ]) but to negative ones (e.g., exhaustion and cynicism [ 13 ] and burnout [ 8 ]). Specifically, because employees with harmonious work passion present flexible forms of involvement in their work-related activity, they are more likely to experience positive affect and high levels of task engagement [ 31 ], flow [ 3 ], vitality [ 11 ], and objective performance at work [ 10 ]. However, employees with obsessive work passion display rigid persistence toward work-related activities, which further promotes internal compulsion to engage in work regardless of the personal costs and risks, leading to failed work commitments and task completion as well as damaged interpersonal relationships in the organization [ 3 , 30 ].…”