An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities

Gainsbury, Sally; Russell, Alex; Hing, Nerilee

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.031

Cited by 45 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…It is well established that social casino games have become immensely popular on social media sites, with over 173 million active players worldwide (Martin, 2014). However, there is still a paucity of research that has examined whether there is a link between playing social casino games and subsequent online gambling (for exceptions see Gainsbury, Russell, & Hing, 2014; Kim, Wohl, Salmon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2015). It has been argued, however, that the greatest harms of social casino games may be introducing online gambling to people who have never gambled online (Derevensky & Gainsbury, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

From the mouths of social media users: A focus group study exploring the social casino gaming–online gambling link

Kim¹,

Wohl²,

Gupta³

et al. 2016

J Behav Addict

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Background and aimsThe potential link between social casino gaming and online gambling has raised considerable concerns among clinicians, researchers and policy makers. Unfortunately, however, there is a paucity of research examining this potential link, especially among young adults. This represents a significant gap given young adults are frequently exposed to and are players of social casino games.MethodsTo better understand the potential link between social casino games and online gambling, we conducted three focus groups (N = 30) at two large Canadian Universities with college students who were avid social media users (who are regularly exposed to social casino games).ResultsMany participants spontaneously mentioned that social casino games were a great opportunity to build gambling skills before playing for real money. Importantly, some participants expressed a belief that there is a direct progression from social casino gaming to online gambling. Conversely, others believed the transition to online gambling depended on a person’s personality, rather than mere exposure to social casino games. While many young adults in our focus groups felt immune to the effects of social casino games, there was a general consensus that social casino games may facilitate the transition to online gambling among younger teenagers (i.e., 12–14 yr olds), due to the ease of accessibility and early exposure.DiscussionThe results of the present research point to the need for more study on the effects of social casino gambling as well as a discussion concerning regulation of social casino games in order to minimize their potential risks.

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confidence: 99%

From the mouths of social media users: A focus group study exploring the social casino gaming–online gambling link

Kim¹,

Wohl²,

Gupta³

et al. 2016

J Behav Addict

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Researchers in the field of gambling studies, however, have expressed concern that engaging with social casino gamesfree-to-play casino-themed games on social media platforms-may pave the way for problematic gambling behaviours (see Derevensky & Gainsbury, 2016;Gainsbury, Russell, & Hing, 2014;Kim, Wohl, Salmon, Gupta, & Derevensky, 2015;Parke, Wardle, Rigbye, & Parke, 2013). That is, social casino gaming has, in large part, been framed as a risky activity in need of attention by the research community and policy makers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Examination of the Relationship Between Social Casino Gaming and Gambling: The Bad, The Ugly, and The Good

Wohl¹,

Salmon²,

Hollingshead³

et al. 2017

JGI

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Social casino games (i.e., free-to-play online gambling-themed games) are now ubiquitous on social network platforms such as Facebook. Their popularity and similarity to gambling games has raised concern that, among other things, social casino games will normalize gambling behaviour, which may contribute to gambling participation and to a rise in the rate of disordered gambling. Herein, we review theory and research that address potentially bad (migration to gambling) and ugly (increased rate of problem gambling) consequences of social casino gaming. We also outline the limits and boundaries of this presupposition. Specifically, we outline contexts in which social casino games may yield positive consequences when played, including the use of such games as a proxy for gambling among disordered gamblers. Drawing on these discussions, we offer a path model for gambling behaviour that places social casino gaming at its core. Although we, like others, present some pessimism regarding the outcome of social casino game play, this paper points to situations and motivations that may yield positive effects.

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“…Video game technology has become not only incredibly sophisticated, but has become an important part of the delivery of gambling activities as well (Gainsbury, Russell, & Hing, 2014;King, Delfabbro, Kaptis, & Zwaans, 2014). Portable game consoles have clear, cinematic-like graphics and enable playing anywhere and at any time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambling and Video Game Playing Among Youth

McBride¹,

Derevensky²

2017

JGI

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Gambling and video game playing represent two leisure activities in which adolescents and young adults participate. There are psychological and behavioural parallels between some forms of gambling (e.g., slot machines, video lottery terminals, electronic gambling machines) and some types of video games (e.g., arcade games). Both activities operate on behavioural principles of variable reinforcement schedules in order to reward and prolong play and use exciting and stimulating sound and light effects within game play. Additionally, both activities have similar negative effects associated with excessive play (e.g., poor academic performance, moodiness, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, and interpersonal conflict). Thus, there is concern that children and adolescents who are attracted to video games, for both psychological rewards and the challenge, may be at greater risk to gamble. We examined the gambling and video game playing behaviour among 1,229 adolescents and young adults. Results indicate that gamblers, relative to non-gamblers, were more likely to play video games. Video game players were more likely than nonplayers to gamble. Both social and problem gamblers had higher rates of video game playing than did non-gamblers, and addicted gamers had higher rates of gambling than did social and non-gamers. Results from the current study suggest significant overlap in youth participation in both gambling activities and video game playing. These results have implications for future research and the treatment of problem gambling and video game addiction.

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An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities

Cited by 45 publications

References 28 publications

From the mouths of social media users: A focus group study exploring the social casino gaming–online gambling link

From the mouths of social media users: A focus group study exploring the social casino gaming–online gambling link

An Examination of the Relationship Between Social Casino Gaming and Gambling: The Bad, The Ugly, and The Good

Gambling and Video Game Playing Among Youth

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