scholarly journals National Helpline for Problem Gambling: A Profile of Its Users’ Characteristics

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Bastiani ◽  
Maurizio Fea ◽  
Roberta Potente ◽  
Claudia Luppi ◽  
Fabio Lucchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
E Mail

Gambling has seen a significant increase in Italy in the last 10 years and has rapidly become a public health issue, and for these reasons the first National Helpline for Problem Gambling (GR-Helpline) has been established. The aims of this study are to describe the GR-Helpline users’ characteristics and to compare the prevalence rates of the users with those of moderate-risk/problematic gamblers obtained from the national survey (IPSAD 2010-2011). Statistical analysis was performed on data obtained from the counselling sessions (phone/e-mail/chat) carried out on 5,805 users (57.5% gamblers; 42.5% families/friends). This confirms that the problems related to gambling concern not only the gamblers but also their families and friends. Significant differences were found between gamblers and families/friends involving gender (74% of gamblers were male; 76.9% of families/friends were female), as well as age-classes and geographical area. Female gamblers had a higher mean age (47.3 versus 40.2 years) and preferred nonstrategy-based games. Prevalence rates of GR-Helpline users and of moderate risk/problematic gamblers were correlated (Rho = 0.58;p=0.0113). The results highlight the fact that remote access to counselling can be an effective means of promoting treatment for problem gamblers who do not otherwise appeal directly for services.

scholarly journals Who chooses to enroll in a new national gambling self-exclusion system? A general population survey in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Håkansson ◽  
V. Henzel
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Self-exclusion from gambling is a common method for prevention and harm reduction in hazardous gambling. However, few national self-exclusion programs, involving a large number of gambling operators and activities in a country, have been assessed scientifically. This study aimed to examine characteristics of individuals who chose to enroll in a recently introduced (January, 2019) national self-exclusion system in Sweden. Methods Adults and adolescents (from age 16 and above) were addressed with an online survey sent to members of the web panel of a market survey company (1940 respondents). Psychological distress, previous history of addictive disorders, sociodemographic data, and recent history of gambling patterns and over-indebtedness were recorded. Logistic regression tested associations with self-exclusion, with unadjusted analyses conducted for the sub-group of moderate-risk or problem gamblers. Results Four percent reported having self-excluded using the new national self-exclusion system. In logistic regression, self-exclusion was significantly associated with younger age (OR 0.65 [0.54–0.79] for increasing age groups) and with the highest level of problem gambling (OR 2.84 [1.10–7.37]). In moderate-risk or problem gamblers, in unadjusted analyses, younger age (p < 0.05) and psychological distress (p = 0.02) were associated with self-exclusion. In none- or low-risk gamblers, 3% had self-excluded, which was significantly associated with younger age (p < 0.001) and self-reported over-indebtedness (p < 0.001). Conclusions In a national, multi-venue online and land-based self-exclusion system, aiming to reduce the harm of problem gambling, self-exclusion is expectedly more common in problem gamblers, but also occurs among people without recent gambling problems. Further efforts may be needed in order to increase gambling self-exclusion in problem gamblers, and research in reasons for self-excluding, even in non-problem gamblers, is needed.

scholarly journals The Efficacy of a Gambling Prevention Program Among High-School Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Calado ◽  
Joana Alexandre ◽  
Liah Rosenfeld ◽  
Rafaela Pereira ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
School Students ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Post Test ◽  
And Control

Abstract Youth problem gambling has become an emergent public health issue, and adolescents constitute a vulnerable age group for the development of gambling-related problems. Although there is research concerning the risk factors of youth problem gambling, rigorous evaluations of the effectiveness of preventive initiatives is still rare. The present study evaluated the efficacy of an integrative intervention to prevent youth problem gambling based on a multidimensional set of factors including gambling-related knowledge, misconceptions, attitudes, gambling frequency, amount of money spent, total hours spent gambling per week, and sensation seeking. A pre- and post-test design was performed with 111 Portuguese high-school students randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control). The findings demonstrated that the intervention was effective in improving correct knowledge about gambling, reducing misconceptions and attitudes, and in decreasing the total hours spent gambling per week. The intervention was also effective in reducing the number of at-risk/problem gamblers during the study period. Furthermore, these findings were stable after a 6-week follow-up. Overall, the intervention program appeared to be effective in correcting some gambling-related behaviours, and provides suggestions for future interventions.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Impulsiveness, Self-Esteem, Irrational Gambling Belief and Problem Gambling Moderating Effects of Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5180
Author(s):  
Junghyun Choi ◽  
Kyoungeun Kim
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Relationship

The present study investigated the relationship between impulsivity, self-esteem, irrational gambling belief, and problem gambling and also explored whether the relationships between these constructs are different for males and females. Participants included 563 college students with 259 males (46.0%) and 304 females (54.0%) from Korea. Participants completed a survey. The results showed that 5.3% of students were problem gamblers, while 9.4% were moderate-risk gamblers. The relationships between impulsivity, self-esteem, irrational gambling belief, and problem gambling differed for males and females. For females, greater impulsivity and lower self-esteem predicted higher irrational gambling belief, while higher irrational gambling belief predicted more problem gambling. For males, greater impulsivity predicted higher irrational gambling belief, and higher irrational gambling belief predicted more problem gambling. This finding suggests that different prevention efforts are needed, which will require identifying the variables that affect problem gambling.

scholarly journals Marketing and Advertising Online Sports Betting: A Problem Gambling Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hibai Lopez-Gonzalez ◽  
Ana Estévez ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Sports Betting ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Product Features ◽  
Online Betting ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Online Sports Betting ◽  
Methodological Difficulties

In this article, online sports betting is explored with the objective of critically examining the potential impact on problem gambling of the emerging product features and advertising techniques used to market it. First, the extent of the issue is assessed by reviewing the sports betting prevalence rates and its association with gambling disorders, acknowledging the methodological difficulties of an unambiguous identification of what exactly constitutes sports-related gambling today. Second, the main changes in the marketization of online betting products are outlined, with specific focus on the new situational and structural characteristics that such products present along with the convergence of online betting with other adjacent products. Third, some of the most prevalent advertising master narratives employed by the betting industry are introduced, and the implications for problem gamblers and minors are discussed.

scholarly journals Changes of Gambling Patterns during COVID-19 in Sweden, and Potential for Preventive Policy Changes. A Second Look Nine Months into the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2342
Author(s):  
Anders Håkansson ◽  
Carolina Widinghoff
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Psychosocial Problems ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Gambling Patterns ◽  
Risk Gambling

Gambling has been suggested as one of the potential mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In earlier self-report studies, increased gambling has been reported by a limited proportion of respondents characterized with a high degree of problem gambling. The present study, carried out with the same methodology and in the same geographical setting, around seven months later in the pandemic, aimed to repeat and to extend the understanding of potential gambling changes in the population during COVID-19. An anonymous sample of web panel members was assessed, altogether 2029 individuals (52% women, 10% moderate-risk or problem gamblers). Results indicated that 6% reported increased gambling, and 4% reported decreased gambling during the pandemic. Having increased gambling was associated with more severe gambling problems (OR 2.78, 95% confidence interval 2.27–3.40), increased alcohol consumption (OR 2.92, 1.71–4.98), and psychological distress (OR 3.38, 1.83–6.23). In the group reporting increased gambling during COVID-19, moderate-risk/problem gambling was very common (62%). Recent governmental policy interventions in the area were known to a minority (30%) of respondents, but awareness of the regulations was markedly more common in individuals with at least moderate-risk gambling (56%) and in self-excluders (78%). Reporting of any perceived influence from policy changes was low (3%), and divided between those reporting an increasing and decreasing effect, respectively. Increased gambling may be a consequence of COVID-19-related changes in everyday lives of individuals with problematic gambling patterns. Thus, a vulnerable group demonstrates higher rates of gambling migration and psychosocial problems, and may require particular attention in screening and treatment contexts, and further scientific evaluations.

scholarly journals Problem gambling among older people. An Italian study on habits, representations, levels of engagement and psychosocial determinants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Venuleo ◽  
Tiziana Marinaci ◽  
Piergiorgio Mossi
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older People ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Soutien Social ◽  
Psychosocial Determinants ◽  
Problem Gamblers

Gambling participation among older people has grown over the years. Elders constitute a large and fast-growing population in Italy, but little empirical evidence describes gambling patterns among older Italian adults and the problem gambling (PG)’s psychosocial determinants, so a range of questions which are crucial to orient prevention strategies remain unanswered. The present study aims to investigate habits, representations, levels of engagement in gambling among Italian elders and the role of loneliness, social support and well-being in explaining their problem with gambling. A convenience sample of 165 participants (mean age: 66.93; SD = 5.73; women: 43.1%) was involved. Gambling activities, habits, representations and PG rates were examined. A group “at moderate risk/problem gambling” (scoring >7 on PGSI, n = 40) and a control group (scoring 0 on PGSI, n = 40) were selected from the whole sample, balanced on socio-demographic characteristics; a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the two groups on the target psychosocial variables. 11.5% of the sample was found to meet the PGSI criteria for PG; 26.7% for moderate risk; 11.5% for problem gambling; 50.3% were classified as no-problem gamblers. Scratch cards were the main form of gambling among all groups; the chance to make more money and to distract oneself from other problems were the main reasons to gamble. Finally, the group “at moderate risk/problem gambling,” compared to the control group, expressed higher loneliness, as well as lower perceived social support and well-being.RésuméLa pratique des jeux de hasard chez les personnes plus âgées augmente au fil des années. Les aînés représentent un segment important et à croissance rapide de la population en Italie, mais peu de données empiriques décrivent les habitudes de pratique de jeux de hasard des adultes italiens plus âgés et les déterminants psychosociaux du jeu compulsif. Tout un éventail de questions essentielles à l’orientation des stratégies de prévention reste sans réponse. La présente étude se penche sur les habitudes, les représentations et les niveaux de pratique de jeux de hasard chez les aînés italiens, ainsi que le rôle de la solitude, du soutien social et du bien-être pour expliquer leurs problèmes liés au jeu, à l’aide d’un échantillon de commodité de 165 participants (moyenne d’âge : 66,93; écart-type de la population = 5.73; femmes : 43,1 %). La pratique des jeux de hasard, les habitudes, les représentations et le jeu compulsif ont été examinés. Un groupe « à risque moyen/jeu compulsif » (pointage >7 sur l’indice de gravité de jeu compulsif (IGJC), n = 40) et un groupe témoin (pointage de 0 sur l’IGJC, n = 40) ont été choisis parmi l’ensemble de l’échantillon, équilibrés du point de vue des caractéristiques sociodémographiques; une analyse de variance à un critère de classification (ANOVA) a été utilisée pour comparer les deux groupes par rapport aux variables psychosociales cibles. On a constaté que 11,5 % de l’échantillon répondaient aux critères de jeu compulsif de l’IGJC; 26,7 % répondaient aux critères de risque modéré; 11,5 %, aux critères de jeu compulsif; et 50,3 % étaient classés comme des joueurs ne présentant pas de problème. Les cartes à gratter constituaient la forme principale de jeu de hasard dans tous les groupes; les principales raisons de jouer étaient la possibilité de faire plus d’argent et d’oublier d’autres problèmes. Enfin, par rapport au groupe témoin, le groupe « à risque moyen/jeu compulsif » a exprimé un plus grand sentiment de solitude et percevait un moins grand soutien social et un moins grand bien-être.

Only problem gamblers spend less money when loot boxes are removed from a game: A before and after study of Heroes of the Storm

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Zendle
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Real World ◽  
Complex Pattern ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Reliable Correlation ◽  
Before And After Study

Loot boxes are items in video games that may be paid for with real-world money, but which contain randomised contents. There is a reliable correlation between loot box spending and problem gambling severity: The more money gamers spend on loot boxes, the more severe their problem gambling tends to be. However, it is unclear whether this link represents a case in which loot box spending causes problem gambling; a case in which the gambling-like nature of loot boxes cause problem gamblers to spend more money; or whether it simply represents a case in which there is a general dysregulation in in-game spending amongst problem gamblers, nonspecific to loot boxes.The multiplayer video game Heroes of the Storm recently removed loot boxes. In order to better understand links between loot boxes and problem gambling, we conducted an analysis of players of Heroes of the Storm (n=112) both before and after the removal of loot boxes.There were a complex pattern of results. In general, when loot boxes were removed from Heroes of the Storm, problem gamblers appeared to spend significantly less money in-game in contrast to other groups. These results suggest that the presence of loot boxes in a game may lead to problem gamblers spending more money in-game. It therefore seems possible that links between loot box spending and problem gambling are not due to a general dysregulation in in-game spending amongst problem gamblers, but rather are to do with specific features of loot boxes themselves.

scholarly journals Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada in 2018: Prevalence and Changes Since 2002: Le Jeu et le Jeu Problématique au Canada en 2018 : Prévalence et Changements Depuis 2002

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372098008
Author(s):  
Robert J. Williams ◽  
Carrie A. Leonard ◽  
Yale D. Belanger ◽  
Darren R. Christensen ◽  
Nady el-Guebaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Type Of Gambling ◽  
Community Health Survey ◽  
Electronic Gambling ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Electronic Gambling Machine

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 the population.

scholarly journals Hey Big Spender: An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Sports and Race Betting Expenditure by Gambler Characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nerilee Hing ◽  
Alex MT Russell ◽  
Anna Thomas ◽  
Rebecca Jenkinson
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Ecological Momentary Assessment ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Harm Minimisation ◽  
Expenditure Data ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Ecological Momentary ◽  
Momentary Assessment

A major obstacle to understanding how expenditure varies amongst people who gamble is the difficulty of obtaining accurate expenditure data from individual gamblers. To overcome the shortcomings of retrospective self-reports, this study used a prospective ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design to capture these data every 24/48 hours. It aimed to examine 1) demographic, psychological, behavioural and contextual characteristics of high-spending sports and race bettors, and 2) the relationship between betting outlay and problem gambling severity. A baseline survey was completed by 320 regular sports bettors and 402 regular race bettors, followed by 15 EMA surveys over three non-consecutive weeks. Higher spending bettors were more likely to: be male, place more of their bets online, have higher disposable incomes, have commenced betting at a younger age, have more accounts with betting operators, and bet when affected by alcohol. The analyses confirmed the strong link between problem gambling severity and financial outlay on betting. Regular sports bettors experiencing gambling problems spent four times more, and those at moderate-risk spent three times more, than their non-problem gambling counterparts. Regular race bettors experiencing gambling problems spent three times more, and those at moderate-risk spent twice as much, as the non-problem gambling race bettors. These results suggest that regulatory and other initiatives that help bettors to limit or reduce their financial outlay on betting should be central to harm minimisation efforts, in order to reduce the growing number of bettors experiencing gambling problems and harm. Résumé Un des principaux obstacles à la compréhension de la variation des dépenses entre les joueurs est la difficulté d’obtenir des données précises sur les dépenses de la part de joueurs individuels. Pour pallier les faiblesses d’auto-évaluations rétrospectives, cette étude visait à utiliser un modèle d’évaluation écologique momentanée (EMA) prospective pour saisir ces données toutes les 24 à 48 heures, afin d’examiner 1) les caractéristiques démographiques, psychologiques, comportementales et contextuelles de gros parieurs de course et de paris sportifs et 2) la relation entre les dépenses de paris et la gravité du jeu problématique. Une enquête initiale a été réalisée auprès de 320 parieurs sportifs et de 402 parieurs de course réguliers, suivie de 15 sondages EMA sur trois semaines non consécutives. Les plus gros parieurs étaient plus susceptibles de: placer davantage de paris en ligne, d’avoir un revenu disponible plus élevé, d’avoir commencé à parier à un plus jeune âge, d’avoir davantage de comptes auprès d’opérateurs de paris et de parier sous l’influence de l’alcool. Les analyses ont confirmé le lien étroit qui existe entre la gravité du jeu problématique et les dépenses financières consacrées aux paris. Les parieurs sportifs réguliers aux prises avec des problèmes de jeu dépensaient quatre fois plus et ceux à risque modéré, trois fois plus, que leurs homologues sans problème de jeu. Les parieurs de course réguliers aux prises avec des problèmes de jeu dépensaient trois fois plus et ceux à risque modéré, deux fois plus, que leurs homologues sans problème de jeu. Ces résultats laissent entrevoir que les initiatives réglementaires et autres initiatives qui aident les parieurs à limiter ou à réduire leurs dépenses en paris devraient être au cœur des efforts de minimisation des préjudices, afin de réduire le nombre croissant de parieurs ayant des problèmes de jeu et de préjudices.

scholarly journals Analysis of e-mail tools for educational purposes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-61
Author(s):  
Stanislav Proichev ◽  
Hanna Chemerys
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Educational Services ◽  
Email Marketing ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
E Mail

Based on the analysis of scientific work was to determine the popularity and development of email marketing as one of the effective means of communication. Here are the main benefits of email marketing. The study found that email marketing allows effective communication between educational institutions and future recipients of educational services. There is a need to identify appropriate and effective tools for Internet mailing. The work is devoted to analyzing and exploring the functionality of mailing tools and constructors for email creation. During the study, the concept of "letter constructor" was defined. A comparative analysis was performed describing the main features, advantages and disadvantages of Stripo, Tilda, Makemail, Beefree, and Mailchimp, Unisender, E-sputnik, SendPulse mail designers. The appropriate combination of tools for mailing for educational purposes is determined.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document