An Empirical Attempt to Operationalize Chasing Losses in Gambling Utilizing Account-Based Player Tracking Data
AbstractIn recent years, account-based player tracking data have been utilized as a potential tool to identify problem gambling online and associated markers of harm. One established marker of harm among problem gamblers is chasing losses, and chasing losses is a key criterion for gambling disorder in the most recent edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Given the paucity of research with respect to chasing losses among online casino players using account-based data, the present study developed five metrics that may be indicative of chasing behavior: These were (i) within-session chasing, (ii...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 14, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
To Pay or Just Play? Examining Individual Differences Between Purchasers and Earners of Loot Boxes in Overwatch
AbstractVideo-game loot boxes are a popular form of microtransaction that have been widely criticized for their structural similarities to gambling. Recent research linking loot box expenditure to gambling activity has illuminated potential harms associated with loot box use. However, whether the harms differ between earning loot boxes through gameplay versus acquiring loot boxes through purchasing remains understudied. This pre-registered study explores gambling, gaming and loot box-related harms between loot box purchasers and earners in the scope of the game Overwatch. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 14, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
University Students ’ Reasons and Attitudes Towards Online Gambling and its Implication on Their Lives
This study employed an exploratory research design to investigate the reasons and attitudes of students toward online gambling and how online gambling has affected their social, economic, and academic lives on campus. An interview guide was used in soliciting data from fifteen participants. The thematic analytical framework was used to analyze the data. The analysis of the empirical data revealed that the ease of making quick money, the anonymous nature of online gambling and a source of entertainment were the main reasons why participants engaged in online gambling. Again, concerning participants ’ attitudes towards gam...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 8, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Motivations for Esports Betting and Skin Gambling and Their Association with Gambling Frequency, Problems, and Harm
This study aimed to examine gambling motivations for esports betting and skin gambling and their association with gambling frequency, problems, and harm. Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey with 736 participants aged 18 + who engaged in esports cash betting (n = 567), esports skin betting (n = 180), or skin gambling on games of chance (n = 325). Respondents were asked to rate their motivations for the three activities across seven domains: social, financial, positive feelings or enhancement, intern al regulation, skill building, competition/challenge, and skin acquisition. The results h...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 8, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Differences Between Illegal and Legal Gamblers in Israel: Gambling Behavior, Motivation, and Substance Use
AbstractLittle is known about people who gamble in illegal settings, and the extent of differences in gambling behavior between legal and illegal gamblers is unclear. The present study examined the characteristics of illegal gamblers and whether they engage in more frequent and severe gambling behaviors, and demonstrate greater motivation for gambling and substance use than legal gamblers. A cross-sectional online survey recruited 1251 people who gambled in the preceding year, of whom 13% (N = 161) participated in illegal gambling. Significant differences were found in gambling behaviors between illegal and legal gamb...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 3, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Examination of the Problem Gambling Severity Index for Use with Older Adults: A Rasch Model Approach
This study evaluated the PGSI with older adults that gamble using a Rasch model approach, which has not yet been examined in the literature. Data from the Quinte Longitudinal Study (Wiiliams et al. in The Quinte Longitudinal Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling 2006 –2011, Bay of Quinte region, Ontario [Canada] (V28), 2014) were utilized, accessed through the Gambling Research Exchange of Ontario (GREO). Using WINSTEPS.V5, a Rasch rating scale model was applied to an older adult sample from Ontario, Canada (n = 571,Mage = 66, range = 60–80 +) to assess: (1) the dimensionality and fit between individual ...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - July 1, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Prevalence of gambling disorder and its correlates among homeless men in Osaka city, Japan
AbstractInternationally, the prevalence of gambling disorder has been reported to be higher among homeless people than the general population; however, little is known about the factors associated with gambling disorder in this population. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of gambling disorder and its associated factors among homeless men using shelters in Osaka City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 30 to 2018 to 4 January 2019, using the 2017 Japanese National Survey of Gambling (JNSG) questionnaire, supplemented with questions about homeless experiences, drinking, and smoking. Using the So...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - June 15, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Open Science Practices in Gambling Research Publications (2016 –2019): A Scoping Review
AbstractThe replication crisis has stimulated researchers around the world to adopt open science research practices intended to reduce publication bias and improve research quality. Open science practices include study pre-registration, open data, open access, and avoiding methods that can lead to publication bias and low replication rates. Although gambling studies uses similar research methods as behavioral research fields that have struggled with replication, we know little about the uptake of open science research practices in gambling-focused research. We conducted a scoping review of 500 recent (1/1/2016 –12/1/2019...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - June 9, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Seeking Solace in Gambling: The Cycle of Gambling and Intimate Partner Violence Against Women Who Gamble
This study explored women ’s gambling in response to male intimate partner violence (IPV). Twenty-four women were recruited through service providers and online advertising. All women had been victimised by IPV and all experienced problems relating to the gambling on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Thematic analysis of their in-depth interviews identified three major themes. The mainpattern of gambling and IPV (Theme 1) was where ongoing coercive control preceded the woman ’s gambling. Situational violence in response to gambling was also observed. Regardless of temporal sequence, a self-perpetuating cycle of gambli...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - June 7, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Predicting Problem Gambling Severity: Interplay between Emotion Dysregulation and Gambling-related Cognitions
AbstractUnderstanding how emotion regulation and gambling-related cognitive distortions relate to gambling problems has direct relevance for problem gambling prevention and treatment. Although these factors have been identified as robust psychological correlates for problem gambling, the interplay between emotional regulation and cognitive biases in influencing problem gambling behaviours is yet to be fully understood. Accordingly, this study examined the explanatory role of cognitive distortions in the association between emotion regulation difficulties and problem gambling behaviours and also explored the interaction bet...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - May 19, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Gambling: Exploring the Role of Gambling Motives, Attachment and Addictive Behaviours Among Adolescents and Young Women
AbstractThere is a growing body of research that seeks to understand the aetiology, consequences and risk factors associated with addictive behaviours in youths. However, research examining the specific profile of adolescent females is very limited. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were, firstly, to explore the differences between attachment, gambling motives (social enhancement and coping), positive and negative affect, and addictive behaviours (gambling, drugs, spending, alcohol and video games) in female adolescents with and without risk of gambling problems. Secondly, the relationships between attachment,...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - May 17, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
The relationship between structural characteristics and gambling behaviour: An online gambling player tracking study
AbstractStructural characteristics of games have been regarded as important aspects in the possible development of problematic gambling. The most important factors along with individual susceptibility and risk factors of the individual gambler are the structural characteristics such as the speed and frequency of the game (and more specifically event frequency, bet frequency, event duration, and payout interval). To date, the association between structural characteristics and behavior has not been studied in an online gambling environment. The present study investigated the association between structural characteristics and...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - May 13, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Emerging Gambling Problems and Suggested Interventions: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research
AbstractThe goal of the present systematic review is to identify emerging gambling problems and the harm minimization strategies proposed to address them. Our interdisciplinary research team conducted this systematic literature review in 5 nations between which there is significant gambling research exchange. A keyword search of the Scopus and Web of Science databases followed by filtering using inclusion criteria identified 1292 empirical gambling studies from peer-reviewed journals. The data obtained from the articles were analyzed using the content analysis technique. We then used a unique approach to identify relations...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - April 23, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Push Outcomes Bias Perceptions of Scratch Card Games
AbstractIn the domain of scratch card gambling, “pushes” refer to outcomes in which a prize is won that is equal to the cost of a scratch card game. Despite resulting in no net monetary gain, these outcomes are categorized as wins by lottery operators, effectively inflating published scratch card information (e.g., posted odds of winning). Ad ditionally, the experience of obtaining a push shares similarities (e.g., the revealing of matching symbols) with the experience of obtaining a win and thus may be experienced similarly to wins by gamblers. Across four studies (N = 1502), we examined the impact of push outcome...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - April 21, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
Employee Perceptions of Responsible Gambling in Macao: Concepts, Indicators, and Intervention Barriers
This study examined what venues employees ’ perceptions of responsible gambling are, how they detect problem gamblers, and what barriers are impeding them from taking action. Semi-structured interviews with 49 venue staff in Macao yielded a wealth of in-depth data that were then thematically analyzed. The results indicated that employees generally understand what responsible gambling entails. While they are all confident in their ability to recognize the signs of problem gambling and provide adequate assistance to problem gamblers when asked, the majority of them rarely approach problem gamblers proactively. The barriers...
Source: Journal of Gambling Studies - April 21, 2022 Category: Addiction Source Type: research
