Problem gambling on the internet: implications for internet gambling policy in North America

Abstract

The proportion of North American gamblers who choose to gamble on the internet is increasing at a dramatic rate. Unfortunately, however, relatively little is known about the characteristics of these individuals or their propensity for problem gambling. Past studies predict that internet gamblers are especially at risk for developing gambling problems and that a substantial proportion of them already can be properly classified as problem gamblers. This article investigates this issue using data collected from an internet-based survey administered to 1920 American, Canadian and international internet gamblers. Confirming predictions of a relationship between internet gambling and problem gambling, it finds that 42.7 percent of the internet gamblers in the sample can be classified as problem gamblers. In light of the findings, and bearing in mind the recommendations made by other gambling researchers, it concludes with a discussion of issues and cautions for governments to heed when crafting internet gambling policies.

Internet gambling and risk-taking among students: An exploratory study

“…This is nearly four times the rate found in the entire sample, and six times the rate found among those who have not gambled on the Internet. These inflated rates are consistent with other reports of an overrepresentation of problem gamblers on the Internet (Griffiths & Barnes, 2008;Ladd & Petry, 2002;Parke, Wood, Griffiths & Rigbye, 2006;Petry, 2006;Wood & Williams, 2007a. Whether or not the Internet is addicting in itself, or simply a medium through which to channel an existing addiction remains unknown.…”

“…Although current evidence suggests that only a very small percentage of Internet gamblers gamble purely online (Wood & Williams, 2011), research focusing on Internet gambling hints that the Internet may be a medium particularly favored by those with serious gambling problems (Griffiths & Barnes, 2008;Griffiths et al, 2009;Ladd & Petry, 2002;McBride & Derevensky, 2009;Wood & Williams, 2007a, 2011. In one report of student online poker players, 18% were identified as problem gamblers, with another 30% being at-risk for developing gambling problems (Griffiths, Parke, Wood & Rigbye, 2010).…”

Chasing losses in online poker and casino games: Characteristics and game play of Internet gamblers at risk of disordered gambling

“…Evidence suggests that online surveys generate data that is as equally valid as face-to-face or telephone surveys as they are less subject to social desirability bias, which is particularly important when discussing potentially sensitive issues such as online gambling which is illegal in some jurisdictions (Wood and Williams, 2007). Furthermore, since the target population were Internet gamblers, this mode of recruitment was considered appropriate.…”

Relation entre les jeux virtuels de hasard et d’argent et certaines conduites déviantes chez des jeunes du Québec

“…Une étude de Wood et Williams (2007) a montré que la prévalence mondiale du jeu sur Internet a augmenté signifi cativement depuis 2000, passant de 1,3 % à 6,5 %. Or, cette progression est alarmante en raison du lien entre la disponibilité des JHA et le jeu pathologique dans la population (Winters et al, 2002 ;Côté et al, 2003 ;Griffi ths, 2003 ;Welte et al, 2004 ;Derevensky et Gupta, 2006 ;Griffi ths, 2006 ;Wood et Williams, 2007). La prévalence du jeu pathologique chez les adultes canadiens est d'environ 0,5 %, alors que 1,5 % des adultes seraient à risque de déve-lopper un problème de jeu (Marshall et Wynne, 2003).…”