Gambling behavior and problem gambling

General population surveys show that gambling is prevalent in many high-income countries. Gambling is not an exclusive activity that only a few people engage in; it has become a popular recreational pursuit, especially in countries where it is legal, accessible, and commercialized. The epidemiological and clinical research reviewed in this chapter indicates that gambling problems tend to be concentrated, though not exclusively, in the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including ethnic minorities, the homeless, the unemployed, the mentally ill, alcohol and drug users, and those who have lower incomes and socio-economic status. Gambling transfers wealth from the most frequent gamblers to owners of the operating companies, to the government authorities, and to the beneficiaries of direct contributions to “good causes”.

The impact of supply reductionon the prevalence of gamblingparticipation and disordered gambling behavior: A systematic review

Background: Current gaming arcade laws in Germany are intended to reduce significantly the number of gambling locations. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic summary and evaluation of the state of research internationally regarding the effects of a reduction in the supply of games of chance on the prevalence of gambling involvement and disordered gambling behavior in the population. Method: A systematic search was made of the databases PsycINFO, Psyindex, Cinahl, Web of Science and Medline using relevant search terms. Results: In total, eight studies were identified that met the criteria for inclusion. The few findings that exist, which are to some extent inconsistent, show that in the period following reduction in supply, there is a decline in participation, in the number of frequent gamblers, in demand for therapy and in the number of problem gamblers. In parallel to this, a few individual studies showed an increase in frequency of participation in other forms of gambling. Conclusions: Possible reasons for the incomplete and inconsistent pattern of findings are discussed and attention is drawn to the limitations of the review. Ultimately, effective prevention should encompass coordinated, broadly based and sustained efforts that cover aspects of both behavioral and situational prevention.

Disordered gambling among higher-frequency gamblers: who is at risk?

BackgroundWhen gambling opportunities are made available to the public in a given jurisdiction, some individuals participate occasionally and others more frequently. Among frequent gamblers, some individuals develop problematic involvement and some do not. This study addresses the association among demographic and social risk factors, frequency of gambling and gambling disorders.MethodData from an adult community sample (n=1372) were used to identify risk factors for higher-frequency gambling and disordered gambling involvement.ResultsIndividuals with higher intelligence, older individuals and more religious individuals were less frequent gamblers. Males, single individuals and those exposed to gambling environments (friends and family who gamble) and those who started to gamble at a younger age were more frequent gamblers. Excitement-seeking personality traits were also higher among more frequent gamblers. A different set of risk factors was associated with the likelihood of gambling disorder among these higher-frequency gamblers. These variables included mental health indicators, childhood maltreatment and parental gambling involvement. Among higher-frequency gamblers, individuals who smoke cigarettes, those with a diagnosis of alcohol or drug dependence or obsessive–compulsive disorder, those with higher anxiety or depression and those with higher impulsivity and antisocial personality traits were more likely to report gambling-related problems. These individuals were also more likely to report gambling on electronic gambling machines (e.g. slot machines).ConclusionsThese data suggest a model in which higher-frequency gambling, particularly with electronic gambling machines, when combined with any type of emotional vulnerability increased the likelihood of gambling disorder.

Gamblers, grinders, and mavericks: The use of membership categorisation to manage identity by professional poker players

Historically, gambling has varied considerably regarding its moral and social meanings. Whilst frequent gambling is often constructed as deviant, professional poker playing can be argued to occupy the conflicting position of both deviant and legitimate. This study explored how professional poker players negotiate this potentially troubled aspect of their identities. Semistructured interviews were conducted with four men from the United Kingdom who played casino poker. The data were analysed using membership categorization analysis. The following membership categorisations were in use within participants' accounts: gambler, grinder, maverick, and nongambler, as well as the central categorisation of professional poker player. Participants constructed themselves as stigmatised because they were frequent gamblers and poker players. Thus professional poker players utilised membership categorisation to distance themselves from other membership categories, particularly gamblers, which was achieved primarily through claims warranted by reference to skill and control.

The attractions and risks of Internet gambling for women: A qualitative study

In this qualitative study, 25 females were interviewed who gambled frequently on the Internet. This paper describes the women's views about the Internet as a place to gamble and the associated risks. Volunteers were recruited from a wide range of sources in the UK and included 16 problem gamblers and 9 frequent gamblers. The women identified a number of features of the Internet that made it easy to gamble, such as its accessibility from home, its anonymity, and its privacy. The Internet was seen as less of a male domain and a place where women could learn to gamble. Frequent gamblers saw Internet gambling as a fun and social activity. All women recognised that they were at risk of excessive Internet gambling, and frequent gamblers had developed strategies to reduce these risks. The paper concludes with some measures that could identify and support those at risk.