Mood, motives, and money: An examination of factors that differentiate online and non-online young adult gamblers

Online Gambling: A Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors in the Adult Population

In recent decades, internet gambling has seen strong growth and diffusion due to intrinsic characteristics that make it particularly attractive to players (accessibility, anonymity, variety of games). This paper aims to present the current state of knowledge of the risk and protective factors of online gambling. A literature search conducted in the PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus databases found 42 articles, which were included in the review. Methodological aspects and risk and protective factors were analysed cross-sectionally. The results concerning risk and protective factors were distinguished by the level of analysis: individual, relational, and contextual. Two types of comparisons were considered: online vs. offline gamblers and online nonproblematic vs. problematic gamblers. The results of the two comparisons were juxtaposed to analyse their consistency and the different associations with factors. In general, the review showed that risk factors and variables at the individual level are investigated to a greater extent, while protective factors at the relational and contextual level need more in-depth study in future research. More specifically, this review found that even if online and offline gamblers shared most risk and protective factors, there are variables that they would not have in common. These factors could be important to consider in preventive interventions aimed at online gamblers and online problematic gamblers.

Gambling Motives and Offshore Gambling: A Finnish Population Study

The rise of online gambling has drawn attention towards offshore gambling. Currently there is lack of evidence on reasons and motivations to gamble on offshore gambling sites. This study investigated the general gambling motives of onshore and offshore gamblers, and the reasons to gamble on offshore gambling sites. The study used binary logistic regression model to analyze the data from Finnish Gambling 2019 population survey including adult past-year online gamblers (n = 1,422). The validated measure for problem gambling severity (PGSI, Problem Gambling Severity Index) was used. Furthermore, data-driven qualitative analysis was used to form categories for the reasons to gamble on offshore gambling sites. Offshore gambling was more common among men and younger age groups than among women or older age groups. Offshore gamblers gambled less often for money or worthy causes than onshore gamblers. Furthermore, offshore gamblers had more different types of motives to gamble, they gambled more frequently and had higher problem gambling severity scores (PGSI) than onshore gamblers. Finally, the most common reasons to gamble offshore were: (1) larger game supply and game features, (2) benefits, bonuses, and the usability of the website, and (3) inner motivation. Offshore gambling is characterized with intensity and diversity of gambling behavior and motives, and it poses a risk especially for young men.

Two for the GOES: Exploring Gambling Outcome Expectancies Scores Across Mixed and Offline-Only Gamblers in Relation to Problem Gambling Risk Status

As online gambling becomes more prevalent, understanding the motives of online gamblers has become a key focus for research and practice. The aim of this study was to understand differences in gambling-related outcome expectancies between mixed (both online and offline) gamblers and offline-only gamblers, by incorporating gambling harm risk categories from the problem gambling severity index (PGSI). This study comprised a secondary data analysis of the 2015 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey. A sample of 1207 individuals in the Northern Territory who had reported gambling at least once in the previous 12 months were used in the analyses. General linear and structural equation modelling were used to ascertain differences in gambling outcome expectancies, in relation to gambling modality (i.e., mixed, offline-only) and PGSI scores. Mixed gamblers tended to score higher on all outcome expectancies than their offline-only counterparts. Outcome expectancy scores were higher in individuals in higher-risk PGSI categories. The escape outcome expectancy was dependent on both modality and risk category. Invariance testing of a low and problem gambling risk subsample revealed differential relationships for both the escape and excitement outcome expectancies for mixed and offline-only gamblers. The results provide an important contribution to the existing literature regarding motivation and outcome expectancies in relation to gambling modality and problem gambling severity. The findings highlight the importance of considering both gambling outcome expectancies and modality when considering problem gambling.

Annual Research Review: Emergence of problem gambling from childhood to emerging adulthood: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The risk for problematic gambling and associated high-risk behaviors is elevated during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Activities with gambling-like features and novel forms of gambling may place youth at an increased risk for problem gambling.

AIM AND METHOD

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the association between both activities with gambling-like features and novel gambling activities and problem gambling among youth while examining the role of psychopathology and cognitive processes. Six databases (PsychINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, Social Work Abstracts, Technology Collection, and Scopus) were searched in November 2021 for peer-reviewed articles investigating the association between the aforementioned variables among youth up to the age of 25 years. Risk of bias was assessed using the Observational Study Quality Evaluation.

FINDINGS

Forty-five articles were included in the review. Positive associations were observed between engagement in activities with gambling-like features (e.g., video games, social casino games, loot boxes) and problem gambling. Increased involvement with novel forms of gambling (e.g., online sports betting, fantasy sports, and esports betting) were also associated with a greater risk for problematic gambling. Males reported higher rates of engagement in these activities and a greater risk of problem gambling than females. Impulsivity, risk taking, cognitive distortions, and specific emotional vulnerabilities were associated with an increased risk of problem gambling.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the need for additional longitudinal research controlling for relevant confounders, these findings underline how engagement in activities with gambling-like features are relevant in the developmental trajectory toward problem gambling.

University Students' Reasons and Attitudes Towards Online Gambling and its Implication on Their Lives

Despite the fact that online gambling is increasing among students in low- and middle-income countries, studies on the reasons and attitudes of university students toward gambling and its associated social, economic, and academic implications on their lives have not been adequately explored in the Ghanaian setting. 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 gambling, most of them were frequent gamblers and gambled four to seven times a week while a few were occasional gamblers who gambled one to three times a month. The study also found that participants who gambled online ended up becoming depressed, had difficulties with sleeping, and barely concentrated in class because of their addictive attitudes towards online gambling. The study further revealed that the academic lives of participants were negatively affected as a result of excessive gambling. The study recommends that the university management should introduce university gambling policies and programmes to regulate gambling among university students and its associated socio-economic and academic implications.

Young men's perceptions about the risks associated with sports betting: a critical qualitative inquiry

BACKGROUND

Gambling is an inherently risky activity. New technologies have led to the development of new, online forms of gambling such as sports betting, with round the clock availability and accessibility. While young men have been identified as a group that may be particularly vulnerable to the harms associated with these new online products, few studies have qualitatively explored young men's perceptions of the risks associated with these products. Using concepts associated with the sociology of risk, this paper sought to explore the range of factors that may influence how 18-24 year old young Australian men conceptualise the risks associated with sports betting.

METHODS

Using a critical qualitative inquiry approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen participants in Victoria, Australia, who engaged in sports betting at least monthly. The data interpreted for this study included questions relating to awareness of gambling, the contexts associated with early gambling experiences; the factors that influenced current gambling behaviours, and why they engaged in gambling. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to interpreted themes from the data.

RESULTS

Four key themes were constructed from the data relating to the factors that influenced risk perceptions. These included: 1) 'The role of early experiences', including exposure to gambling advertising in sport, and the gambling behaviours of social networks; 2) 'The influence of peer rivalry and competition', in which sports betting was used to form connections within and across peer groups; 3) 'The normalisation of gambling', including the embedding of gambling in everyday activities; and 4) 'The influence of perceptions of knowledge, skill, and control', including the belief that they could engage in responsible behaviours and stop gambling if they needed to.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that a range of factors may influence how young men conceptualise the risks and benefits associated with sports betting. Current public health strategies for gambling that focus on individual determinants and responsibility paradigms must be broadened to target the social and commercial factors that influence young men's attitudes towards, and engagement in sports betting.

How gambling motives are associated with socio-demographics and gambling behavior - A Finnish population study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aims were to examine how socio-demographics and gambling behavior relate to both primary and additional gambling motives, and whether the gambling motives change during a one-year-period.

METHODS

The Finnish Gambling Harms Survey data was used. Gambling motives were measured with a categorical question. Gambling severity was measured using the Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (PPGM). Using the first-wave data including only past-year gamblers (n = 5,684), five logistic regression models were utilized to explore the associations of gambling motives with socio-demographics and gambling behavior. The stability of gambling motives was assessed with McNemar's test using longitudinal data (n = 2,078).

RESULTS

Gambling for positive feeling was associated with younger age, high income, high gambling involvement and at-risk gambling. Monetary motive was associated with female gender, high gambling involvement, online or mixed-mode and at-risk gambling. Supporting worthy causes was associated with older age, monthly and weekly gambling, and land-based gambling. Socializing was associated with younger age and gambling occasionally on land-based venues with multiple game types. Finally, the motive to escape was intensified among 25-34-year-olds, homemakers, and those with high gambling involvement and at-risk or problem gambling. Gambling motives remained relatively stable for one year.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Gender and age profiles varied in different motives. Positive feeling, socializing and escape motive was heightened among younger respondents while supporting worthy causes was heightened among the oldest. Women gambled for money more often than men. Escape motive was associated with problem gambling. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm the longitudinal results.

Psychometric validation of the desire thinking questionnaire in a Turkish adolescent sample: Associations with internet gaming disorder

BACKGROUND

Desire thinking is a conscious and voluntary cognitive process that consists of perseverative focus on information, memories, and prefiguration of images related to a desired target. The Desire Thinking Questionnaire (DTQ) is acknowledged as a reliable and valid tool to measure desire thinking in both adults and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the DTQ in Turkish adolescent sample.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 200 adolescents completed the Turkish version of the DTQ (DTQ-T) and an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed. Subsequently, a convenience sample of 701 adolescents completed the DTQ-T and a battery of questionnaires assessing personality traits, affect, boredom, impulsivity, and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed on the DTQ-T and validity was determined by examining correlations with other measures.

RESULTS

A 9-item two-factor structure was observed in the EFA. An 8-item two-factor structure was established in the CFA. Results demonstrated that the DTQ-T yields adequate levels of reliability and concurrent validity. Additionally, an examination of incremental validity showed that DTQ-T significantly predicted IGD when controlling for personality traits, affect, boredom, and impulsivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The 8-item DTQ-T was found to be a reliable and valid measure of desire thinking among Turkish adolescents. Desire thinking may be a feasible target for mental health workers to alleviate the symptoms of IGD.

Parental Acceptance/Rejection Perceptions and Attachment Styles of Men With Online Gambling Disorder

Online gambling disorder has recently emerged as a significant public health issue. Family dynamics play an important role in the development of online gambling disorder. In this research, the aimed to compare the parental acceptance/rejection and attachment styles of individuals with online gambling disorder with a healthy control group. Also, the relationship between parental acceptance/rejection and attachment styles was examined in individuals with online gambling disorder. The study group consisted of 53 male patients with online gambling disorder and 57 healthy controls. The individuals with online gambling disorder perceived more rejection from mothers but especially from fathers than the individuals in the control group. Paternal hostility/aggression and indifference/neglect are determinants of online gambling behavior. The individuals with online gambling disorder had lower levels of secure attachment and higher levels of dismissive and fearful attachment than the individuals in the control group. Both secure attachment style and dismissive attachment style are thought to be determinants of gambling behavior. Mother-father rejection and insecure attachment are important in terms of creating risk for online gambling. Assessment of the effects of maternal and especially paternal rejection in online gambling disorder will be beneficial within the scope of preventive mental health.

Exploring the Predictive Value of Gambling Motives, Cognitive Distortions, and Materialism on Problem Gambling Severity in Adolescents and Young Adults

Gambling motives and cognitive distortions are thought to be associated because both coping and financial motives to gamble appear to be predictors of gambling related cognitive distortions. Therefore, there is an argument to be made that gambling motives, cognitive distortions, and materialism share common attributes and might be related to problem gambling severity. The present paper aims to examine the relationship between these three variables, both in a clinical and community setting, to see if they can predict gambling severity. A sample of 250 participants from the general population and 31 participants from the clinical population was recruited. The results showed that the clinical sample scored higher on gambling severity, cognitive distortions, materialism, and gambling motives. It also showed that low scores in enhancement motives and higher scores in social motives and gambling related cognitions predicted gambling severity in older gamblers, whereas for younger patients, gambling severity was best predicted by higher scores in materialism and coping motives, and lower scores for enhancement and social motives. In the community sample, gambling severity correlated with gambling related cognitive distortions and with gambling motives (except for social and coping motives within the women subsample). These results testify to the importance of materialism, cognitive distortions, and gambling motives as risk factors for problem gambling both in community and clinical samples.

Impulsivity, Emotion Regulation, Cognitive Distortions and Attentional Bias in a Spanish Sample of Gambling Disorder Patients: Comparison between Online and Land-Based Gambling

Several risk factors have been related to the onset and maintenance of gambling disorder (GD). The aim of this study was to explore the differences in emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, cognitive distortions, and attentional bias between online and land-based gamblers. The sample consisted of 88 treatment-seeking patients from the Behavioral Addictions Unit at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona (Spain). Patients were divided into two groups by considering their main type of gambling, i.e., online (n = 26) and land-based gambling (n = 62). Online gamblers were younger, more often employed, with a higher educational level than land-based gamblers. Regarding the rest of the variables, statistically significant differences were only found in Positive Urgency, one of the UPPS-P subscales, in which the land-based gambling group scored higher than the online gambling group. In this exploratory study, individuals with online and land-based GD phenotypes did not differ either in difficulties in emotion regulation or in attentional and cognitive biases. However, land-based GD patients showed a higher tendency to succumb to strong impulses under the influence of positive emotions. These preliminary findings warrant the need to continue investigating GD phenotypes in larger patient samples.

The Use of the Intensive Longitudinal Methods to Study Financial Well-Being: A Scoping Review and Future Research Agenda

Financial well-being is a positive financial condition that has an objective (e.g., income) and a subjective (e.g., financial satisfaction) side. Much research has examined financial well-being using cross-sectional and classic longitudinal designs. More recently, researchers have begun to examine financial well-being using intensive longitudinal designs, collecting data in a repeated (at least five measurements) and intensive (short time interval between measurements) way. The goal of the current study was to systematically review all published research on financial well-being using intensive longitudinal methods, summarize themes from this work, and suggest future research directions. Searching three databases (Scopus, PsycINFO, Econpapers), we found nine articles that respected inclusion and exclusion criteria. From each selected article, we extracted information about (1) research field diffusion, (2) data collection methods, (3) financial well-being's definition and operationalization, (4) research questions addressed and (5) data analysis. Findings showed that most of the studies adopted an interval-contingent research design, collecting data once a day; that both the objective and subjective sides of the construct were assessed, and that, most of the time, the construct was conceptualized as financial stress (lack of financial well-being). Different kinds of research questions were addressed across studies and these were often analyzed using multilevel analysis. In the discussion section, future research directions are suggested.

Gambling motives: Association with addictive disorders and negative and positive mood in youth

Gambling disorder and other comorbid addictive disorders may have similar underlying affective and motivational patterns. This study aims at examining the association between gambling disorder, comorbid addictive disorders (i.e., alcohol, drugs, spending, and videogames), positive and affective mood, and gambling motives in a community sample. A sample of 1099 adolescents and young adults was recruited from educational centres, from which 569 (51.7%) scored as non-problem gamblers, 42 (3.8%) as at-risk gamblers, and 53 (4.8%) as problem gamblers. Results suggest that enhancement, social, and coping motives are greater among problem gamblers and at-risk gamblers as compared to non-problem gamblers. Problem gamblers scored higher in gambling and comorbid disorders than at-risk gamblers, and also higher in gambling motives and negative mood when compared to non-problem gamblers. Likewise, gambling severity was significantly associated to gambling motives, negative mood, and other addictive disorders. Finally, enhancement motives were predictive of gambling, alcohol, drugs, and spending while controlling for the effect of age, sex, and positive and negative mood. These results shed light into the nature of the relationship between gambling and other comorbid addictions and can be used to tailor prevention and treatment strategies.

Bored Into Depletion? Toward a Tentative Integration of Perceived Self-Control Exertion and Boredom as Guiding Signals for Goal-Directed Behavior

During the past two decades, self-control research has been dominated by the strength model of self-control, which is built on the premise that the capacity for self-control is a limited global resource that can become temporarily depleted, resulting in a state called ego depletion. The foundations of ego depletion have recently been questioned. Thus, although self-control is among the most researched psychological concepts with high societal relevance, an inconsistent body of literature limits our understanding of how self-control operates. Here, we propose that the inconsistencies are partly due to a confound that has unknowingly and systematically been introduced into the ego-depletion research: boredom. We propose that boredom might affect results of self-control research by placing an unwanted demand on self-control and signaling that one should explore behavioral alternatives. To account for boredom in self-controlled behavior, we provide a working model that integrates evidence from reward-based models of self-control and recent theorizing on boredom to explain the effects of both self-control exertion and boredom on subsequent self-control performance. We propose that task-induced boredom should be systematically monitored in self-control research to assess the validity of the ego-depletion effect.

A Literature Review and Gap Analysis of Emerging Technologies and New Trends in Gambling

There have been significant changes in the gambling landscape particularly relating to gambling in the digital age. As the gambling landscape changes, regulation of gambling also needs to change. In 2018, the Office of Responsible Gambling in New South Wales, Australia, commissioned a gap analysis to inform their research objectives and priority focus areas. This included an identification of gaps in our understanding of emerging technologies and new trends in gambling. A gap analysis of the peer-reviewed literature published since 2015 was undertaken, identifying 116 articles. The main area of focus was Internet gambling, followed by articles exploring the relationship between video gaming and gambling, the expansion of the sports betting market, Electronic Gambling Machines characteristics and articles exploring new technologies and trends in advertising and inducements. Key gaps related to the need for more research in general, as well as research focusing on subpopulations such as those using different gambling formats, those with varying levels of problem gambling, and vulnerable populations. From a methods perspective, researchers saw the need for longitudinal studies, more qualitative research and improved outcome measures. The development and testing of a public health approach to addressing the harms associated with gambling in these areas is needed.

Ambulatory Assessment of Adolescent Coping: It's a Complicated Process

Scholars have long-called for researchers to treat coping as a process that is measured over an arc of time. Ambulatory assessment (AA) offers an appealing tool for capturing the dynamic process of adolescent coping. However, challenges in capturing the coping process are not altogether circumvented with AA designs. We conducted a scoping review of the AA literature on adolescent coping and draw from 60 studies to provide an overview of the field. We provide critiques of different AA approaches and highlight benefits and costs associated with various types of measurement within AA. We also speak to considerations of participant burden and compliance. We conclude with recommendations for developmental scholars seeking to deploy AA to capture this quintessential process among adolescents.

A national survey of online gambling behaviours

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to look at an Irish population in relation to the online gambling activities people are engaging with, the reasons for gambling online, their attitudes to online gambling and the financial/mental health consequences of online gambling.

METHODS

The outline for this study was adapted from a study by McCormack et al. (2014) in relation to online gambling, with the aim of replicating this study in an Irish population. An online survey consisting of 11 categories related to online gambling was advertised online over a 7-month period. Participants answered on activities gambled online, devices used, duration of time gambling, as well mental health/financial consequences of their gambling.

RESULTS

A total of 208 users participated in the online survey. The most popular gambling activity played was Sports Betting (26.9%) and the most commonly used device was Mobile app (68.6%). The main reason for gambling online was 'To win money' (84.6%), the main reason for ending gambling sessions - 'Had something else to do' (67.3%) and the most prominent emotion experienced - Excitement (60.6%). There were findings related to the severity of gambling addiction (75% - had to borrow or sell to fund gambling) and their attitudes towards online gambling (strongly agreed - 39.9% - The potential dangers of gambling should be advertised).

CONCLUSIONS

Online gamblers in Ireland share similar behavioural profiles to online gamblers in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The majority of participants in this research have been adversely affected from both a mental and financial perspective due to their gambling behaviours.

Spanish adaptation of the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (GMQ): Validation in adult pathological gamblers and relationship with anxious-depressive symptomatology and perceived stress

Gambling has been found to be related to different motives, such as enhancement, social, and behavioral and emotional coping. The most used instrument in this field is the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (GMQ; Stewart & Zack, 2008), which has not been validated in clinical samples. This study aimed to validate a Spanish version of the GMQ in a sample of adult pathological gamblers and to analyze its relationship with pathological gambling, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. A sample of 164 gamblers was recruited from centers for the treatment of pathological gambling. The three-factor structure (enhancement, social, and coping motives) of the GMQ was validated through exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses, and its convergent validity was proven. Gambling motives correlated with pathological gambling, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Enhancement motives predicted pathological gambling, while controlling for the effect of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. These results are relevant for clinical evaluation and intervention with adult pathological gamblers.

Behavior analysis of virtual-item gambling

From the gambling logs of an online lottery game we extract the probability distribution of various quantities (e.g., bet value, total pool size, waiting time between successive gambles) as well as related correlation coefficients. We view the net change of income of each player as a random walk. The mean-squared displacement of these net income random walks exhibits a transition between a superdiffusive and a normal diffusive regime. We discuss different random-walk models with truncated power-law step lengths distributions that allow us to reproduce some of the properties extracted from the gambling logs. Analyzing the mean-squared displacement and the first-passage time distribution for these models allows us to identify the key features needed for observing this crossover from superdiffusion to normal diffusion.

Does the uptake of wagering inducements predict impulse betting on sport?

Background and aims Marketing inducements for addictive products, such as wagering, can prompt impulse purchasing by triggering consumption reminders, urges, and cravings. Wagering inducements incentivize betting by providing bonus bets, money-back guarantees, deposits into betting accounts, and discounts. Their promotion during sporting events, push marketing efforts directed at consumers, and ease of uptake at the point-of-sale, may trigger betting on impulse. This study examined whether the uptake of wagering inducements predicted impulse betting on sport. Methods Australian sports bettors (N = 1,813) completed an online survey measuring their proportion of planned bets, impulse bets before match commencement, and impulse bets during play; frequency of using wagering inducements; and several psychological, behavioral, and demographic variables. Results More frequent users of wagering inducements had a greater tendency to place impulse in-play bets, which were also predicted by problem gambling, higher buying impulsiveness, higher frequency of watching sports, younger age, and higher educational status. Sports bettors with a greater tendency to place impulse bets before match commencement also tended to have higher buying impulsiveness and to be younger, but they used inducements less frequently, and tended to be female, less-educated and non-problem, moderate risk, or problem gamblers. Discussion and conclusions Uptake of wagering inducements appeared to be particularly effective in stimulating impulse in-play betting among problem gamblers and frequent sports viewers. These results suggest that a more cautious approach to the regulation of both in-play bets and wagering inducements may be required to better protect young adults from gambling problems and harm.

Boredom proneness and its correlation with Internet addiction and Internet activities in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

This study examined the associations of boredom proneness with Internet addiction and activities as well as the moderators for such associations in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In total, 300 adolescents with ADHD participated in this study. Their Internet addiction, the scores for lack of external and internal stimulation on the Boredom Proneness Scale-short form (BPS-SF), ADHD, parental characteristics, and the types of Internet activities were examined. The associations of boredom proneness with Internet addiction and Internet activities and the moderators of the associations were examined using logistic regression analyses. Higher scores for lack of external stimulation on the BPS-SF were significantly associated with a higher risk of Internet addiction. Maternal occupational socioeconomic status moderated the association of lack of external stimulation with Internet addiction. Higher scores for lack of external stimulation were significantly associated with a high tendency to engage in online gaming, whereas higher scores for lack of internal stimulation were significantly associated with a low tendency to engage in online studies. Lack of external stimulation on the BPS-SF should be considered a target in prevention and intervention programs for Internet addiction among adolescents with ADHD.

Comparing undergraduate and community-recruited adult non-gamblers' motives for not gambling: Do they differ?

The field of gambling studies has extensively focused on isolating risk factors for developing a gambling disorder. Conversely, little attention has been paid to identifying protective factors against gambling disorder among people who choose to not gamble at all. Moreover, the limited number of studies that have focused on non-gamblers have neglected to differentiate current from lifetime non-gamblers. The purpose of the present study was to examine motives for not gambling among a diverse sample of adult lifetime non-gamblers recruited from the community and to compare these motives to an undergraduate student sample of non-gamblers from a previous study. Participants consisted of 219 lifetime non-gamblers (45.2% male) from the United States recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. The previously recruited sample consisted of Canadian undergraduate students (n=196). Eight distinct categories of motivations for not gambling were identified in the sample of adult community non-gamblers, which corresponded closely with previous findings from the student sample. However, comparisons between the two samples revealed that adult lifetime non-gamblers were more likely to provide financial motives as reasons for not gambling. Whereas, the student sample was more likely to mention disinterest and the influence of others as reasons to avoid gambling. Results suggest that the choice not to gamble among lifetime non-gamblers may reflect a more conscious, values-based decision when compared to undergraduate non-gamblers.