Gambling, gambling activities, and problem gambling.

Abstract

This research examined similarities and differences between gambling activities, with a particular focus on differences in gambling frequency and rates of problem gambling. The data were from population-based surveys conducted in Canada between 2001 and 2005. Adult respondents completed various versions of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), including the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). A factor analysis of the frequency with which different gambling activities were played documented the existence of two clear underlying factors. One factor was comprised of Internet gambling and betting on sports and horse races, and the other factor was comprised of lotteries, raffles, slots/Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), and bingo. Factor one respondents were largely men; factor two respondents were more likely to be women and scored significantly lower on a measure of problem gambling. Additional analyses indicated that (1) frequency of play was significantly and positively related to problem gambling scores for all activities except raffles, (2) the relationship between problem gambling scores and frequency of play was particularly pronounced for slots/VLTs, (3) problem gambling scores were associated with playing a larger number of games, and (4) Internet and sports gambling had the highest conversion rates (proportion who have tried an activity who frequently play that activity).

The Impact of Jackpots on EGM Gambling Behavior: A Review

“…A survey of 1986 Ohio millionaire lottery winners (Kaplan, 1988) showed that recipients spent relatively little money on tickets, did not appreciably increase their expenditures on tickets, and rarely engaged in other forms of gambling either before or after they won. These results, of course, may simply reflect differences in the types of people who typically engage in lottery play as opposed to EGM gambling; with the latter more likely to be engaged in several forms of gambling and having greater gambling involvement overall (Holtgraves, 2009). Nevertheless, the results of this lottery study run counter to the stereotype of the gambler who fritters away their winnings on additional gambling products (Business Pundit, 2009).…”

Gambling Problems Among Community Cocaine Users

“…Results corroborate previous findings of studies with other vulnerable populations, among whom the problem gamblers reported a preference for VLTs (Antonetti and Horn 2001;Rogers et al 2005;Shaffer et al 2002;Talbot 2004). It has been shown that, due to their structural characteristics (Parke and Griffiths 2006;Harrigan 2008) and their availability (Holtgraves 2009), VLTs are often associated to the development of gambling problems (Cox et al 2005;El-Guebaly et al 2006). In addition, it is likely that, for these populations, VLTs and buying lottery and scratch tickets are associated with precarious living conditions and lack of resources .…”

The interaction between gambling activities and modes of access: A comparison of Internet-only, land-based only, and mixed-mode gamblers

“…Research has pointed to a putative relationship between Internet gambling and problems on the basis of higher rates of gambling problems found in samples of Internet as compared to non-Internet gamblers (Gainsbury et al, in press a, b, c;Griffiths, Wardle, Orford, Sproston, & Erens, 2009;Wood & Williams, 2011). However, when rates of overall gambling involvement are controlled for, participating in Internet gambling is not a significant risk factor for gambling problems (Gainsbury et al, in press a;Holtgraves, 2009;LaPlante, Nelson, LaBrie, & Shaffer, 2009;Philander & MacKay, in press;Wardle et al, 2011a;Wood & Williams, 2011). A study of 15,006 gamblers found that problem gambling rates were three times higher among Internet than non-Internet gamblers (Gainsbury et al, in press a).…”