2
|
Williams RJ, Leonard CA, Belanger YD, Christensen DR, El-Guebaly N, Hodgins DC, McGrath DS, Nicoll F, Stevens RMG. Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada in 2018: Prevalence and Changes Since 2002. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2021; 66:485-494. [PMID: 33353387 PMCID: PMC8107954 DOI: 10.1177/0706743720980080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to provide an updated profile of gambling and problem gambling in Canada and to examine how the rates and pattern of participation compare to 2002. METHOD An assessment of gambling and problem gambling was included in the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey and administered to 24,982 individuals aged 15 and older. The present analyses selected for adults (18+). RESULTS A total of 66.2% of people reported engaging in some type of gambling in 2018, primarily lottery and/or raffle tickets, the only type in which the majority of Canadians participate. There are some significant interprovincial differences, with perhaps the most important one being the higher rate of electronic gambling machine (EGM) participation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The overall pattern of gambling in 2018 is very similar to 2002, although participation is generally much lower in 2018, particularly for EGMs and bingo. Only 0.6% of the population were identified as problem gamblers in 2018, with an additional 2.7% being at-risk gamblers. There is no significant interprovincial variation in problem gambling rates. The interprovincial pattern of problem gambling in 2018 is also very similar to what was found in 2002 with the main difference being a 45% decrease in the overall prevalence of problem gambling. CONCLUSIONS Gambling and problem gambling have both decreased in Canada from 2002 to 2018 although the provincial patterns are quite similar between the 2 time periods. Several mechanisms have likely collectively contributed to these declines. Decreases have also been reported in several other Western countries in recent years and have occurred despite the expansion of legal gambling opportunities, suggesting a degree of inoculation or adaptation in large parts of the population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, 4512University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Yale D Belanger
- Department of Political Science, 4512University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
| | | | - Nady El-Guebaly
- Division of Addiction, Department of Psychiatry, 2129University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David C Hodgins
- Department of Psychology, 2129University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel S McGrath
- Department of Psychology, 2129University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fiona Nicoll
- Political Science, 3158University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ethier AR, Kim HS, Hodgins DC, McGrath DS. High Rollers: Correlates of Problematic Cocaine Use Among a Community Sample of Gamblers. J Gambl Stud 2020; 36:513-525. [PMID: 32219672 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-020-09943-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Over half of problem gamblers (PGs; i.e., individuals with an impulse to gamble despite negative consequences) experience a substance use disorder. Explanations for this high rate of comorbidity have included shared clinical and personality factors. While gambling has been associated with substance use disorders in general, relatively few studies have examined the comorbidity of gambling and cocaine use disorders. The current study aimed to address this gap in the literature by comparing the demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, and employment status), gambling (time and money spent gambling, gambling severity, and motives for gambling), psychological (depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol consumption, nicotine dependency) and personality (trait impulsivity) correlates in a sample of community gamblers with varying degrees of cocaine use; never, recreational, and problematic use as measured by the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test Version 3 (ASSIST-V3.0). Of the 562 participants, 9.3% (N = 51), reported problematic cocaine use. No differences were found between groups for demographic factors. Problematic cocaine users (PCUs) were more likely to be PGs in comparison to recreational users, and never users. They also presented with increased levels of trait impulsivity, depression, anxiety, stress, and alcohol consumption. These results emphasize the need for increased focus on comorbidity and treatment approaches specifically tailored for individuals with PG and PCU.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R Ethier
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Hyoun S Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David C Hodgins
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel S McGrath
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hilbrecht M, Baxter D, Abbott M, Binde P, Clark L, Hodgins DC, Manitowabi D, Quilty L, SpÅngberg J, Volberg R, Walker D, Williams RJ. The Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling: A revised framework for understanding gambling harm. J Behav Addict 2020; 9:190-205. [PMID: 32554839 PMCID: PMC8939413 DOI: 10.1556/2006.2020.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling moves beyond a symptoms-based view of harm and addresses a broad set of factors related to the risks and effects of gambling harmfully at the individual, family, and community levels. Coauthored by international research experts and informed by multiple stakeholders, Gambling Research Exchange (GREO) facilitated the framework development in 2013 and retains responsibility for regular updates and mobilization. This review article presents information about the revised version of the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling completed in late 2018. METHODS We describe eight interrelated factors depicted in the framework that represent major themes in gambling ranging from the specific (gambling environment, exposure, gambling types, and treatment resources) to the general (cultural, social, psychological, and biological influences). After outlining the framework development and collaborative process, we highlight new topics for the recent update that reflect changes in the gambling landscape and prominent discourses in the scientific community. Some of these topics include social and economic impacts of gambling, and a new model of understanding gambling related harm. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS We address the relevance of the CFHG to the gambling and behavioral addictions research community. Harm-based frameworks have been undertaken in other areas of addiction that can both inform and be informed by a model dedicated to harmful gambling. Further, the framework brings a multi-disciplinary perspective to bear on antecedents and factors that co-occur with harmful gambling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margo Hilbrecht
- Gambling Research Exchange, Guelph, ON, Canada,Deptartment of Recreation & Leisure Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada,Corresponding author. Gambling Research Exchange, 55 Wyndham St. N., Suite 204A, Guelph, ON, N1H 7T8, Canada E-mail: . Tel.: +1 519 763 8049, x101
| | | | - Max Abbott
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Per Binde
- School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Luke Clark
- Centre for Gambling Research at UBC, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David C. Hodgins
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Darrel Manitowabi
- School of Northern and Community Studies, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada
| | - Lena Quilty
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rachel Volberg
- School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Douglas Walker
- Department of Economics, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Robert J. Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Two hypotheses have been advanced to explain gambling prevalence and addiction among various populations-the exposure hypothesis and the adaptation hypothesis. This study tests these hypotheses in the context of casino employees in Macau. In the etiology of gambling, casino employees have been considered a unique segment of the population. Employees working in casinos are probably more exposed to gambling stimuli than any other group. The findings suggest that indicators of heavy involvement in casino gambling among casino employees were no higher than among other residents of Macau. In terms of gambling frequency, casino employees actually gambled less often than the general adult population in Macau. These results are in contrast to results from studies of gaming venue employees in Australia and Canada. The differing findings are probably attributable to particularities of Macau discussed in the article.
Collapse
|