Lifetime of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Problem and Pathologic Gambling in North Cyprus

Abstract

In this article, the results of the national survey of adult gambling behavior in North Cyprus (NC) in 2012 are presented. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of adults' participation in gambling, and to determine the prevalence of 'problem and pathological gambling' in NC. The population of this study was formed from all the people living permanently in NC, speaking Turkish, and within the age group 18-65. Household interviews were conducted with 966 people. To obtain data, a 30 item questionnaire prepared by the researchers and a Turkish version of the Revised South Oaks Gambling Screen were used. Prevalence rates are compared with the results of the study conducted in 2007 using the same methodology and survey form. The lifetime prevalence of participating at least once in any of the 17 gambling activities investigated in the survey was 66.4 %. 3.5 % of the respondents scored as lifetime probable pathological gamblers and 9.2 % as probable problem gamblers. Risk factors for becoming probable problem and pathological gamblers include being male, being in the 19-28 age group, having a high education level, having a job and being born in Cyprus. This study shows that the prevalence of problem gambling is high in NC and increasing gradually. NC has socio-cultural features such as a history of colonization, socioeconomic problems and high unemployment, similar to other high prevalence gambling regions, which is suggestive of the importance of socio-cultural factors on gambling behavior.

The comparison between the socio-demographic characteristics and the problematic internet use between gamblers and non-gamblers among university students (eng)

“…Ratios of NC (29) correspond to those found in Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico (30), the Maoris in New Zealand (31) and Native Americans in North Dakota (32). The reasons of finding such similar ratios of Pg are explained by Volberg (30) as similar colonization, limited economy and sociological problems (29). In present study it is found out that the level of PPG is high among the university students.…”

“…In the study, it is found that the PPG among university students are more prevalent rather than the general population. This claim is supported by a corresponding study (29) which found out that in NC at the age of 18 to 65 year group the pg ratio is 9.5% and Pg for life ratio is 3.5%. It is found that the trend of Pg is 2% in Asian countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau (54,55).…”

“…It is observed that most of the people who play gambling games preferred the games of dog and football. In the study of Çakıcı (29) it has been also found that horse-dog-football games are the most preferred game in NC. PPG also tend to spend more money on gambling games.…”

“…Both in NC and in other countries, (29,46,48) gambling is considered to be an entertainment and a type of recreation. Moreover, it is increasing in popularity day by day.…”

“…Studies show that internet gambling is seen intensively among university students (35)(36)(37). It has been also found that the problem and Pg in NC have increased rapidly in recent years and with the pathological prevalence of 3,8%,especially internet gambling is seen as a growing problem among young people (29,38).…”