Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting
Growth of Internet gambling has fuelled concerns about its contribution to gambling problems. However, most online gamblers also gamble on land-based forms, which may be the source of problems for some. Studies therefore need to identify the problematic mode of gambling (online or offline) to identi...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2017-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00779/full |
| _version_ | 1798044409018712064 |
|---|---|
| author | Nerilee Hing Alex M. Russell Matthew Browne |
| author_facet | Nerilee Hing Alex M. Russell Matthew Browne |
| author_sort | Nerilee Hing |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Growth of Internet gambling has fuelled concerns about its contribution to gambling problems. However, most online gamblers also gamble on land-based forms, which may be the source of problems for some. Studies therefore need to identify the problematic mode of gambling (online or offline) to identify those with an online gambling problem. Identifying most problematic form of online gambling (e.g., EGMs, race betting, sports betting) would also enable a more accurate examination of gambling problems attributable to a specific online gambling form. This study pursued this approach, aiming to: (1) determine demographic, behavioral and psychological risk factors for gambling problems on online EGMs, online sports betting and online race betting; (2) compare the characteristics of problematic online gamblers on each of these online forms. An online survey of 4,594 Australian gamblers measured gambling behavior, most problematic mode and form of gambling, gambling attitudes, psychological distress, substance use, help-seeking, demographics and problem gambling status. Problem/moderate risk gamblers nominating an online mode of gambling as their most problematic, and identifying EGMs (n = 98), race betting (n = 291) or sports betting (n = 181) as their most problematic gambling form, were compared to non-problem/low risk gamblers who had gambled online on these forms in the previous 12 months (n = 64, 1145 and 1213 respectively), using bivariate analyses and then logistic regressions. Problem/moderate risk gamblers on each of these online forms were then compared. Risk factors for online EGM gambling were: more frequent play on online EGMs, substance use when gambling, and higher psychological distress. Risk factors for online sports betting were being male, younger, lower income, born outside of Australia, speaking a language other than English, more frequent sports betting, higher psychological distress, and more negative attitudes toward gambling. Risk factors for online race betting comprised being male, younger, speaking a language other than English, more frequent race betting, engaging in more gambling forms, self-reporting as semi-professional/professional gambler, illicit drug use whilst gambling, and more negative attitude toward gambling. These findings can inform improved interventions tailored to the specific characteristics of high risk gamblers on each of these online activities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:03:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f8c7135440b845f2a538cd7ea33a4907 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:03:21Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-f8c7135440b845f2a538cd7ea33a49072022-12-22T03:58:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782017-05-01810.3389/fpsyg.2017.00779262938Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports BettingNerilee HingAlex M. RussellMatthew BrowneGrowth of Internet gambling has fuelled concerns about its contribution to gambling problems. However, most online gamblers also gamble on land-based forms, which may be the source of problems for some. Studies therefore need to identify the problematic mode of gambling (online or offline) to identify those with an online gambling problem. Identifying most problematic form of online gambling (e.g., EGMs, race betting, sports betting) would also enable a more accurate examination of gambling problems attributable to a specific online gambling form. This study pursued this approach, aiming to: (1) determine demographic, behavioral and psychological risk factors for gambling problems on online EGMs, online sports betting and online race betting; (2) compare the characteristics of problematic online gamblers on each of these online forms. An online survey of 4,594 Australian gamblers measured gambling behavior, most problematic mode and form of gambling, gambling attitudes, psychological distress, substance use, help-seeking, demographics and problem gambling status. Problem/moderate risk gamblers nominating an online mode of gambling as their most problematic, and identifying EGMs (n = 98), race betting (n = 291) or sports betting (n = 181) as their most problematic gambling form, were compared to non-problem/low risk gamblers who had gambled online on these forms in the previous 12 months (n = 64, 1145 and 1213 respectively), using bivariate analyses and then logistic regressions. Problem/moderate risk gamblers on each of these online forms were then compared. Risk factors for online EGM gambling were: more frequent play on online EGMs, substance use when gambling, and higher psychological distress. Risk factors for online sports betting were being male, younger, lower income, born outside of Australia, speaking a language other than English, more frequent sports betting, higher psychological distress, and more negative attitudes toward gambling. Risk factors for online race betting comprised being male, younger, speaking a language other than English, more frequent race betting, engaging in more gambling forms, self-reporting as semi-professional/professional gambler, illicit drug use whilst gambling, and more negative attitude toward gambling. These findings can inform improved interventions tailored to the specific characteristics of high risk gamblers on each of these online activities.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00779/fullgamblingproblem gamblingrisk factorsinternet gamblingonline gamblinggambling disorder |
| spellingShingle | Nerilee Hing Alex M. Russell Matthew Browne Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting Frontiers in Psychology gambling problem gambling risk factors internet gambling online gambling gambling disorder |
| title | Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting |
| title_full | Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting |
| title_fullStr | Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting |
| title_short | Risk Factors for Gambling Problems on Online Electronic Gaming Machines, Race Betting and Sports Betting |
| title_sort | risk factors for gambling problems on online electronic gaming machines race betting and sports betting |
| topic | gambling problem gambling risk factors internet gambling online gambling gambling disorder |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00779/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nerileehing riskfactorsforgamblingproblemsononlineelectronicgamingmachinesracebettingandsportsbetting AT alexmrussell riskfactorsforgamblingproblemsononlineelectronicgamingmachinesracebettingandsportsbetting AT matthewbrowne riskfactorsforgamblingproblemsononlineelectronicgamingmachinesracebettingandsportsbetting |