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Gooding NB, Williams RJ. Are There Riskier Types of Gambling? J Gambl Stud 2023:10.1007/s10899-023-10231-0. [PMID: 37355524 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10231-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Gambling-related harm is a public health issue requiring market regulation and efforts aimed at prevention and treatment. An important consideration for the regulation of gambling is whether certain types of gambling are intrinsically more harmful than others. The present study was a comprehensive investigation of this issue in a nationwide sample of 10,199 Canadian adult gamblers that included 1346 individuals with problem gambling. We investigated (a) the univariate cross-sectional association between individual types of gambling and problem gambling; (b) the cross-sectional association between individual gambling types and problem gambling when controlling for breadth of gambling involvement; (c) the prospective/lagged relationship between participation in different gambling types and future problem gambling; and (d) the self-reports of people with gambling problems concerning the types and modalities they consider to be most problematic. Our collective results indicate that breadth of gambling involvement is a stronger predictor of gambling problems than involvement in any particular type, but that involvement in certain types (electronic gambling machines in particular, and casino table games and online gambling to a lesser extent) does confer additional risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan B Gooding
- Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Robert J Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
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Gooding NB, Kim HS, Williams RJ, Williams JN. Individual differences and predictors of general awareness in problem gambling. Addict Behav 2023; 136:107505. [PMID: 36183686 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In Canada, up to 3% of individuals have or are at risk of gambling disorder. Among these individuals, a lack of awareness of their problem gambling is a common barrier to treatment and negatively affects treatment adherence. A secondary analysis was conducted on data from 1346 individuals (mean age = 43.4, SD = 14.4; 54.3 % male) with problem gambling who did and did not perceive having a problem with their gambling as assessed by the fifth item of the Problem Gambling Severity Index, "In the past twelve months, how often have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?" Additionally, we investigated predictors of increased general awareness at 12-month follow-up. At baseline, individuals who perceived a problem with their gambling experienced more gambling-related harms (OR = 1.714), had greater total gambling losses (OR = 1.067), were more likely to have a family history of problem gambling (OR = 2.143), experienced a greater loss of control (OR = 1.313) and more often gambled alone than with others (OR = 0.879), accounting for 26.6 % of the variance in general awareness. Baseline problem awareness was positively associated with attempts to cut down or control gambling at follow-up (χ2=11.350,p<.001), but negatively associated with remission (χ2=18.392,p<.001). Increases in awareness were related to an increase in the number of gambling-related harms, gambling involvement, impaired control, and lower educational attainment, explaining 35.5% of the variance in increased general awareness. The results indicate that experiencing more gambling-related harms increases the salience and awareness of problem gambling, and that awareness is also associated with an individual's gambling context, their loss of control, and their level of gambling involvement. The findings highlight the importance of gambling harms as they pertain to general awareness and suggest that improving the recognition of gambling harms could be beneficial for the prevention and intervention of gambling disorder.
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Hsiang Tseng C, Flack M, Caudwell KM, Stevens M. Separating problem gambling behaviors and negative consequences: Examining the factor structure of the PGSI. Addict Behav 2023; 136:107496. [PMID: 36174423 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
There is some uncertainty on how to best conceptualise and measure problem gambling and debate as to whether it is helpful to differentiate the behavioral features of problematic gambling from the negative consequences of gambling. The current study explores this issue by examining the factor structure of a commonly-used problem gambling measure, the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), as administered to respondents in the 2018 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey (n = 3,740 gamblers). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor solution offered significant improvement in fit over the one-factor model. Further, the two factors explained unique variance in the number of gambling-related harms experienced by respondents. Although the two factors were highly correlated, the current findings indicate problem gambling behaviors are related to the negative consequences of gambling, but these are not necessarily synonymous. This suggests isolating behavioral and consequential elements of gambling may have utility in public health interventions for gambling that, while concerning, falls below a clinically-significant threshold. Similarly, clinically-oriented research may benefit by measuring the behavioral features, as these components are important targets for individual-level interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hsiang Tseng
- College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia
| | - Mal Flack
- Researchers in Behavioural Addictions, Alcohol, and Drugs (BAAD), College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia.
| | - Kim M Caudwell
- Researchers in Behavioural Addictions, Alcohol, and Drugs (BAAD), College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia.
| | - Matthew Stevens
- STRS Consultants, Darwin, Northern Territory 0800, Australia
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Dorey L, McGarrigle J, May R, Hoon AE, Dymond S. Client Views of Contingency Management in Gambling Treatment: A Thematic Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:17101. [PMID: 36554983 PMCID: PMC9778966 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192417101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Low levels of treatment access and poor retention among those with gambling problems suggests a need to improve treatment. Contingency management (CM) is a behavioural intervention involving the identification of target behaviours and the provision of incentives when targets are met. There exists a substantial evidence base for CM increasing abstinence and attendance in substance misuse treatment, but this has not been widely extended to gambling treatment setting. This study sought to explore the views of clients about CM for the treatment of problematic and disordered gambling. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 25 gambling treatment clients who were, or had previously been, engaged in treatment in Great Britain. Participants were provided with an explanation of CM, two hypothetical scenarios, and two structured questionnaires to facilitate discussion. Thematic analysis was used to interpret findings. Some participants felt that clients could manipulate CM while in treatment to obtain money to gamble, and that mechanisms of CM could trigger recovering clients into relapse. Participants also identified potential benefits of CM to achieve treatment goals, by enhancing motivation and engagement while in treatment, and helping bring people into treatment earlier. Gambling treatment clients broadly supported the use of incentives for treatment. CM is seen as a facilitator of extended engagement in treatment, and an encouragement for clients to make progress in the treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Dorey
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jack McGarrigle
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Richard May
- School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales, Pontypridd CF37 1DL, UK
| | - Alice E. Hoon
- Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Simon Dymond
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
- Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University, Menntavegur 1, Nauthólsvík, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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Molander O, Wennberg P. Assessing severity of problem gambling – confirmatory factor and Rasch analysis of three gambling measures. International Gambling Studies 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2022.2149834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olof Molander
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Peter Wennberg
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Global Public Health, Solna, Sweden
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology
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Mackey-Simpkin S, Williams RJ, Shaw CA, Russell GE. Prevalence and predictors of illegal gambling in Canada. International Gambling Studies 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14459795.2022.2149833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Mackey-Simpkin
- Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert J. Williams
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carrie A. Shaw
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar
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Evans V, Zorn M, Willliams R, Volberg R. Proximity to Casino Gambling Venues and Risk of Problem Gambling in Massachusetts. Int J Ment Health Addict. [DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00861-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Constandt B, Rosiers J, Moernaut J, Van Der Hoeven S, Willem A. Part of the Game? Exploring the Prevalence and Normalization of Gambling in Belgian Sports Clubs. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:6527. [PMID: 35682112 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gambling and sports are entangled in a close relationship. However, little remains known about gambling behaviors and perceptions in sports. Drawing on normalization theory, this study explores the prevalence and predictors of problem gambling as well as the normalization of gambling (including its availability and accessibility, prevalence, and socio-cultural accommodation) in sports clubs. A cross-sectional study design was implemented, based on an online survey completed by 817 Belgian sports club actors. This survey consisted of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and questions about personal and socio-cultural factors regarding gambling. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26 software, using descriptive statistics and an ordinal logistic regression analysis. These analyses exposed being male, being aged 26-35 years old, and being involved in football (soccer) as factors that might be linked with higher levels of problem gambling in sports. Furthermore, sports betting is especially shown to be normalized in sports clubs given its prevalence, and its frequently organized and discussed character. Moreover, respondents disclosed a lack of formal rules (96%) and education initiatives (98.7%) on gambling in their sports club. Given the indicated support for gambling regulations and educational measures, this study may inform sports organizations about how to help denormalize gambling.
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Browne M, Rawat V, Tulloch C, Murray-Boyle C, Rockloff M. The Evolution of Gambling-Related Harm Measurement: Lessons from the Last Decade. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18094395. [PMID: 33919050 PMCID: PMC8122250 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Jurisdictions around the world have a self-declared mandate to reduce gambling-related harm. However, historically, this concept has suffered from poor conceptualisation and operationalisation. However, recent years have seen swift advances in measuring gambling harm, based on the principle of it being a quantifiable decrement to the health and wellbeing of the gambler and those connected to them. This review takes stock of the background and recent developments in harm assessment and summarises recent research that has validated and applied the Short Gambling Harms Screen and related instruments. We recommend that future work builds upon the considerable psychometric evidence accumulated for the feasibility of direct elicitation of harmful consequences. We also advocate for grounding harms measures with respect to scalar changes to public health utility metrics. Such an approach will avoid misleading pseudo-clinical categorisations, provide accurate population-level summaries of where the burden of harm is carried, and serve to integrate gambling research with the broader field of public health.
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Williams RJ, Belanger YD, Leonard CA, Stevens RMG, Christensen DR, El-Guebaly N, Hodgins DC, McGrath DS. Indigenous Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada. J Gambl Stud 2021. [PMID: 33733295 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-021-10022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study provides a profile of Canadian Indigenous gambling and problem gambling using the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) (n = 23,952 adults; 1,324 Indigenous) and an online panel survey of 10,199 gamblers (n = 589 Indigenous). The relative popularity of different types of gambling was similar between Indigenous and non-Indigenous samples. However, there was higher Indigenous participation in electronic gambling machines (EGMs), bingo, instant lotteries, overall gambling and a higher rate of problem gambling (2.0% versus 0.5%). Variables predictive of Indigenous problem gambling were EGM participation, gambling fallacies, having a mental or substance use disorder, sports betting, and male gender. Compared to non-Indigenous problem gamblers, Indigenous problem gamblers had higher substance use and lower impulsivity. In general, variables predictive of Indigenous problem gambling were the same ones predictive of problem gambling in all populations, with elevated Indigenous problem gambling rates primarily being due to elevated rates of these generic risk factors. Many of these risk factors are modifiable. Particular consideration should be given to reducing the disproportionate concentration of EGMs in geographic areas having the highest concentration of Indigenous people and ameliorating the disadvantageous social conditions in this population that are conducive to mental health and substance use problems.
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Mora-Salgueiro J, García-Estela A, Hogg B, Angarita-Osorio N, Amann BL, Carlbring P, Jiménez-Murcia S, Pérez-Sola V, Colom F. The Prevalence and Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors of Problem Online Gambling: A Systematic Review. J Gambl Stud 2021; 37:899-926. [DOI: 10.1007/s10899-021-09999-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Currie SR, Hodgins DC, Williams RJ, Fiest K. Predicting future harm from gambling over a five-year period in a general population sample: a survival analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:15. [PMID: 33413234 PMCID: PMC7792302 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-03016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is little longitudinal evidence on the cumulative risk of harm from gambling associated with excess spending and frequency of play. The present study sought to assess the risk of gambling problems over a five-year period in adults who exceed previously derived low-risk gambling limits compared to those who remain within the limits after controlling for other modifiable risk factors. METHODS Participants were adults (N = 4212) drawn from two independent Canadian longitudinal cohort studies who reported gambling in the past year and were free of problem gambling at time 1. Multivariate Cox regression was employed to assess the impact over time of gambling above low-risk gambling thresholds (frequency ≥ 8 times per month; expenditure ≥75CAD per month; percent of household income spent on gambling ≥1.7%) on developing moderate harm and problem gambling. Covariates included presence of a DSM5 addiction or mental health disorder at time 1, irrational gambling beliefs, number of stressful life events in past 12 months, number of game types played each year, and playing electronic gaming machines or casino games. RESULTS In both samples, exceeding the low-risk gambling limits at time 1 significantly increased the risk of moderate harm (defined as ≥2 consequences on the Problem Gambling Severity Index [PGSI]) within 5 years after controlling for other modifiable risk factors. Other significant predictors of harm were presence of a mental disorder at time 1, cognitive distortions about gambling, stressful life events, and playing electronic gaming machines or casino games. In one sample, the five-year cumulative survival rate for moderate harm among individuals who stayed below all the low-risk limits was 95% compared to 83% among gamblers who exceeded all limits. Each additional low-risk limit exceeded increased the cumulative probability of harm by 30%. Similar results were found in models when the outcome was problem gambling. CONCLUSIONS Level of gambling involvement represents a highly modifiable risk factor for later harm. Staying below empirically derived safe gambling thresholds reduces the risk of harm over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn R Currie
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Alberta Health Services - Calgary Zone, 10101 Southport Rd SW, Calgary, AB, T2W 3N2, Canada.
| | - David C Hodgins
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Robert J Williams
- University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Kirsten Fiest
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
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Ofori Dei SM, Christensen DR, Awosoga OA, Lee BK, Jackson AC. A Composite Measure of Gambling Exposure: Availability, Accessibility or Both? J Gambl Stud 2021; 37:1291-310. [PMID: 33247819 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-020-09985-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Measures of availability and accessibility are often used separately or interchangeably to assess gambling exposure. This study examined the advantages of assessing gambling exposure using availability, accessibility, and a composite measure. Logistic and poisson regression analyses were used to determine the relative importance of these measures in predicting problem gambling using data from the 2008 and 2009 Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Alberta (SEIGA) surveys. The composite measure of gambling exposure predicted both the risk and severity of problem gambling better than the availability or accessibility measures alone. These results demonstrate that individual differences in problem gambling are better predicted by a composite measure of exposure.
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