Tracking online poker problem gamblers with player account-based gambling data only

Abstract

The aim was to develop and validate an instrument to track online problem poker gamblers with player account-based gambling data (PABGD). We emailed an invitation to all active poker gamblers on the online gambling service provider Winamax. The 14,261 participants completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). PGSI served as a gold standard to track problem gamblers (i.e., PGSI ≥ 5). We used a stepwise logistic regression to build a predictive model of problem gambling with PABGD, and validated it. Of the sample 18% was composed of online poker problem gamblers. The risk factors of problem gambling included in the predictive model were being male, compulsive, younger than 28 years, making a total deposit > 0 euros, having a mean loss per gambling session > 1.7 euros, losing a total of > 45 euros in the last 30 days, having a total stake > 298 euros, having > 60 gambling sessions in the last 30 days, and multi-tabling. The tracking instrument had a sensitivity of 80%, and a specificity of 50%. The quality of the instrument was good. This study illustrates the feasibility of a method to develop and validate instruments to track online problem gamblers with PABGD only. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Study protocol for a transversal study to develop a screening model for excessive gambling behaviours on a representative sample of users of French authorised gambling websites

“…This limit has been highlighted in previous studies as a potential bias. 13 Moreover, building new behavioural variables was recommended in order to develop more efficient models. 10 Thanks to the third clinical stage of the study, we will collect more detailed data (especially time-related data) and may be able to find new proxies of risky gambling behaviours, such as chasing behaviour or time spent gambling, by gaining access to the gamblers’ account history during clinical interviews.…”

“…Several studies have already been performed using a database from a single online gambling operator: data from Bwin were used by LaBrie et al 7 LaBrie and Shaffer, 8 Broda et al 9 Philander 10 and Adami et al; 11 data from GTECH G2 were used by Dragicevic et al 12 and data from Winamax were used by Luquiens et al 13 …”

“…In a recent study using the Winamax database, 13 the authors collected actual gambling data from a sample of poker players as well as responses to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). 14 Gamblers were separated into a non-problem gamblers group (PGSI<5) and a problem gamblers group (PGSI≥5).…”

Glücksspielsucht über das Internet – eine Übersicht der Situation in der Schweiz

“…Beispiele dafür sind eine häufige und regelmäßige Spielteilnahme, die Ausübung mehrerer Spielformen, eine längere Spieldauer und hohe Geldeinsätze. Das Spielen über beide Spielarten (offline und online) oder der Besitz von mehreren Benutzerkonten auf Internet-Websites steht ebenfalls in Verbindung mit einer erhöhten Spielbeteiligung [2,21,25,28].…”

“…In der Sekundärprävention hat es bereits verschiedene Versuche zur Aufspürung von gestörten Spielern anhand ihres Spielverhaltens über das Internet gegeben [28,46]. Solche Verfahren, die anhand von Spielerdaten Rückschlüsse auf das Spielverhalten ziehen und im Anschluss automatische Präventionsnachrichten generieren können, müssen noch weiterentwickelt werden, da sie noch gewisse Messfehler enthalten.…”