scholarly journals Gambling motives and symptoms of problem gambling in frequent slots players

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vance V. MacLaren ◽  
Kevin A. Harrigan ◽  
Michael Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Gambling Motives ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Independent Effects ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Problem Or Pathological Gambling

Motives for gambling were examined among patrons of slots venues who reported playing electronic gaming machines at least weekly (N=849). According to scores on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), there were 331 (39.0%) participants at low risk, 330 (38.9%) at moderate risk, and 188 (22.1%) at high risk of Pathological Gambling. Scores on the Coping and Enhancement scales of the Gambling Motives Questionnaire (GMQ) had independent effects on PGSI scores. Cluster analysis of Coping and Enhancement scores identified Low Emotion Regulation (LER; n=189), Primarily Enhancement (PE; n=338), and Coping and Enhancement (CE; n=322) subtypes. More CE gamblers (80.1%) had PGSI scores that suggested problem or Pathological Gambling than the PE (56.8%) or LE (36.0%) subtypes. Gamblers who frequently play slot machines are at elevated risk of Pathological Gambling if they play slots as a means of self-regulating their negative emotional states.

scholarly journals Gambling Behaviours and Problem Gambling Among Older Adults Who Patronize Ontario Casinos or Racinos

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel E Turner ◽  
Mark Van der Maas ◽  
John McCready ◽  
Hayley A Hamilton ◽  
Tracy Schrans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
The Past ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Quota Sampling ◽  
Gaming Machines

This study examined the rate of gambling problems among Ontario older adults at gambling venues. Herein we describe an intercept survey that took place at casinos and horse racing tracks with slot machines or other forms of casino games (racinos) in southwestern Ontario, Canada. This method provided a significant opportunity to obtain a large sample of older adult casino gamblers in order to understand the gambling habits and gambling problems of this population. We used an intercept recruitment method to obtain a sample of 2,103 older adults (aged 55 and older) who were gambling at each of the seven gaming venues, as well as a systematic quota sampling method for age category (e.g., 55–64, 65–74, and 75 and above) and sex. On average, the participants engaged in 3.6 forms of gambling in the past year, and 78.6% reported playing slot machines or other forms of electronic gaming machines monthly or more often. They reported spending an average of 3.29 hr gambling at casinos or racinos per visit and 134.9 hr at casinos or racinos per year. Just over one-fifth of the sample reported spending more than $6,000 in casinos or racinos in the past year. Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the proportion of the sample experiencing severe problem gambling (PGSI = 8+) was 6.9%, and an additional 20.3% reported moderate gambling problems (PGSI = 3 to 7).RésuméCette étude a examiné le taux de problèmes de jeu de personnes âgées de l’Ontario sur les sites de jeu. On y décrit un sondage par interception qui a eu lieu dans des casinos et des pistes de course de chevaux où se trouvent des machines à sous ou d’autres formes de jeux de casino (racinos) dans le sud-ouest de l’Ontario, au Canada. Cette méthode a fourni une occasion importante d’obtenir un vaste échantillon de joueurs de casino adultes plus âgés afin de comprendre les habitudes de jeu et les problèmes de jeu de cette population. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de recrutement par interception pour obtenir un échantillon de 2 103 aînés (âgés de 55 ans et plus) qui jouaient à chacun des sept sites de jeu, ainsi qu’une méthode d’échantillonnage systématique par quotas pour les catégories d’âge (p. ex. 55–64, 65–74 et 75 ans et plus) et le sexe. En moyenne, les participants ont joué à 3,6 formes de jeu au cours de la dernière année, et 78,6 % ont déclaré jouer aux machines à sous ou à d’autres formes de machines de jeux électroniques tous les mois ou plus souvent. Ils ont déclaré avoir consacré en moyenne 3,29 heures à jouer dans les casinos ou les racinos par visite et 134,9 heures dans les casinos ou les racinos par année. Un peu plus d’un cinquième de l’échantillon a déclaré avoir dépensé plus de 6 000 $ dans des casinos ou des racinos au cours de la dernière année. Selon l’Indice de gravité du jeu problématique (IGJP), la proportion de joueurs de l’échantillon ayant eu des problèmes de jeu excessifs (IGJP = 8+) était de 6,9 %, et une autre partie de 20,3 % des joueurs a signalé avoir des problèmes de jeu modérés (IGJP = 3 à 7).

scholarly journals Using deliberate mind-wandering to escape negative mood states: Implications for gambling to escape

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-733
Author(s):  
Tyler B. Kruger ◽  
Mike J. Dixon ◽  
Candice Graydon ◽  
Madison Stange ◽  
Chanel J. Larche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Vigilance Task ◽  
Mind Wandering ◽  
Slot Machine ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Boredom Proneness

AbstractBackground and aims: Slot machines are a pervasive form of gambling in North America. Some gamblers describe entering “the slot machine zone”—a complete immersion into slots play to the exclusion of all else. Methods: We assessed 111 gamblers for mindfulness (using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)), gambling problems (using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)), depressive symptoms (using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale), and boredom proneness (using the Boredom Proneness Scale). In a counterbalanced order, participants played a slot machine simulator and completed an auditory vigilance task. During each task, participants were interrupted with thought probes to assess whether they were: on-task, spontaneously mind-wandering, or deliberately mind-wandering. After completing each task, we retrospectively assessed flow and affect. Compared to the more exciting slots play, we propose that gamblers may use deliberate mind-wandering as a maladaptive means to regulate affect during a repetitive vigilance task. Results: Our key results were that gamblers reported greater negative affect following the vigilance task (when compared to slots) and greater positive affect following slots play (when compared to the vigilance task). We also found that those who scored higher in problem gambling were more likely to use deliberate mind-wandering as a means to cope with negative affect during the vigilance task. Using hierarchical multiple regression, we found that the number of “deliberately mind-wandering” responses accounted for unique variance when predicting problem gambling severity (over and above depression, mindfulness, and boredom proneness). Conclusions: These assessments highlight a potential coping mechanism used by problem gamblers in order to deal with negative affect.

scholarly journals Overconfidence in Understanding of How Electronic Gaming Machines Work Is Related to Positive Attitudes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kahlil S. Philander ◽  
Sally M. Gainsbury
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Gambling Behavior ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Electronic Gaming Machines ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Gaming Machines

Previous research has demonstrated that attitudes are a primary determinant of intention to gamble on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) consistent with the Theory of Reasoned Action. This paper aims to address how biases in judgment can contribute to attitudes and subsequently behavior, including maladaptive problematic gambling behavior. We take a novel approach by viewing overconfidence in one’s understanding of how outcomes are determined on EGMs as an indication of cognitive distortions. The novelty of this paper is further increased as we compare attitudes to existing EGMs with novel EGMs which include a skill component, referred to as skill-based gaming machines (SGMs), which enables a better controlled comparison between actual and perceived skill. In Study 1, 232 US-based participants were recruited online who were shown various slot machines and SGMs and asked a series of questions about perceived skill and chance in determining outcomes to assess their understanding, then were asked their confidence in their understanding, attitudes toward the machines and they completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index. In Study 2, 246 Australian participants were recruited through community and university student samples; they attended a laboratory where they were randomly allocated to play a real EGM or SGM without money and completed the same measures as in Study 1. In Study 2, participants were randomly told that the outcomes on the machine they would play were determined entirely by chance, skill, or a mixture of both. In both studies, our findings suggest that there are more extreme values in overconfidence in how EGMs work, whereas individuals are more similar in their confidence in understanding SGMs. We also find a relationship between overconfidence in EGM understanding and positive attitudes toward EGMs, but no such relationship with SGMs. There was no impact from controlling for demographics, problem gambling severity, or labeling of machines on these relationships.

scholarly journals Are General and Activity-Specific PGSI Scores Consistent?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Monson ◽  
Sylvia Kairouz ◽  
Matthew Perks ◽  
Nicole Arsenault
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Problem Gamblers ◽  
Problem Gambling Severity Index ◽  
Primary Activity ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Video Lottery ◽  
Video Lottery Terminals

Gambling research has highlighted substantial activity-specific differences in gambling behaviours, but measures of problem gambling remain non-specific. This paper aims to examine the consistency of general versus activity-specific Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores among a sample of moderate-risk and problem gamblers in Québec, Canada. Correlations and t tests were conducted to examine associations and differences between general and activity-specific PGSI scores. Results were analyzed by number of activities reported and activity rank for lottery, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and slot machines and suggested that PGSI scores may not accurately reflect problem gambling severity for all specific activities. General and activity-specific PGSI scores were more highly correlated when lottery was the primary activity, whereas for VLTs, scores were highly correlated regardless of number or rank of activities. General PGSI scores were significantly higher than activity-specific scores for lottery, but general and activity-specific scores were not significantly different for VLTs, demonstrating that the PGSI is a better indicator of activity-specific scores for some forms of gambling over others. Researchers conducting population surveys should exercise caution in assigning general PGSI scores to specific activities.RésuméLa recherche sur le jeu a mis en évidence des différences majeures dans les comportements de jeu spécifiques à des activités, mais les mesures du jeu problématique demeurent non spécifiques. L’étude vise à examiner la cohérence entre les scores généraux de l’indice de gravité du jeu problématique (IGJP) et ceux propres à des activités parmi un échantillon de joueurs à risque modéré et de joueurs compulsifs en [province, pays]. Des corrélations et des tests de Student ont été effectués pour examiner les associations et les différences entre les scores IGJP généraux et ceux spécifiques à des activités. Analysés en fonction du nombre d’activités déclarées et du classement des activités de loterie, d’appareils de loterie vidéo (ALV) et de machines à sous, les résultats laissent entendre que les scores IGJP pourraient ne pas refléter avec précision la gravité du jeu pathologique en ce qui concerne des activités particulières. Dans le cas où la loterie était l’activité principale, les scores IGJP généraux et ceux propres à l’activité étaient très fortement corrélés; pour les appareils de loterie vidéo, les scores étaient fortement corrélés, quels que soient le nombre ou le classement des activités. En ce qui concerne la loterie, les scores IGJP généraux étaient largement plus élevés que les scores propres à l’activité, mais ils n’étaient pas très différents dans le cas des ALV, ce qui démontre que l’IGJP est un meilleur indicateur seulement pour certaines formes de jeu. Les chercheurs qui mènent des enquêtes auprès de la population doivent faire preuve de prudence lorsqu’ils attribuent des scores IGJP généraux à des activités spécifiques.

scholarly journals Gambling problems in bipolar disorder in the UK: Prevalence and distribution

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Jones ◽  
Alice Metcalf ◽  
Katherine Gordon-Smith ◽  
Liz Forty ◽  
Amy Perry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Gambling Problems ◽  
Rapid Cycling ◽  
Probable Significance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundNorth American studies show bipolar disorder is associated with elevated rates of problem gambling; however, little is known about rates in the different presentations of bipolar illness.AimsTo determine the prevalence and distribution of problem gambling in people with bipolar disorder in the UK.MethodThe Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to measure gambling problems in 635 participants with bipolar disorder.ResultsModerate to severe gambling problems were four times higher in people with bipolar disorder than in the general population, and were associated with type 2 disorder (OR = 1.74, P = 0.036), history of suicidal ideation or attempt (OR = 3.44, P = 0.02) and rapid cycling (OR = 2.63, P = 0.008).ConclusionsApproximately 1 in 10 patients with bipolar disorder may be at moderate to severe risk of problem gambling, possibly associated with suicidal behaviour and a rapid cycling course. Elevated rates of gambling problems in type 2 disorder highlight the probable significance of modest but unstable mood disturbance in the development and maintenance of such problems.

Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index Interpretive Categories

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn R. Currie ◽  
David C. Hodgins ◽  
David M. Casey
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Problem Gambling Severity Index ◽  
Gambling Severity

scholarly journals Gamblers’ (mis-)interpretations of Problem Gambling Severity Index items: Ambiguities in qualitative accounts from the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Samuelsson ◽  
Peter Wennberg ◽  
Kristina Sundqvist
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Gambling Behaviour ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Problem Gambling Severity Index ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Immoral Activity

The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a screening instrument frequently used to identify risk and problem gambling. Even though the PGSI has good psychometric properties, it still produces a large proportion of misclassifications. Aims: To explore possible reasons for misclassifications in problem gambling level by analysing previously classified moderate-risk gamblers’ answers to the PGSI items, in relation to their own current and past gambling behaviours. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 19 participants reporting no negative consequences from gambling. They were asked the PGSI questions within an eight-year time frame (2008 to 2016). Ambiguous answers to PGSI items were subject to content analysis. Results: Several answers to the PGSI items contained ambiguities and misinterpretations, making it difficult to assess to what extent their answers actually indicated any problematic gambling over time. The item about feelings of guilt generated accounts rather reflecting self-recrimination over wasting money or regretting gambling as a meaningless or immoral activity. The item concerning critique involved mild interpretations such as being ridiculed for buying lottery tickets or getting comments for being boring. Similar accounts were given by the participants irrespective of initial endorsement of the items. Other possible reasons for misclassifications were related to recall bias, language difficulties, selective memory, and a tendency to answer one part of the question without taking the whole question into account. Conclusions: Answers to the PGSI can contain a variety of meanings based on the respondents’ subjective interpretations. Reports of lower levels of harm in the population should thus be interpreted with caution. In clinical settings it is important to combine use of screening instruments with interviews, to be able to better understand gamblers’ perceptions of the gambling behaviour and its negative consequences.

scholarly journals Responsible Gambling Strategies: Are They Effective Against Problem Gambling Risk in Older Ontarians?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éric R Thériault ◽  
Joan E Norris ◽  
Joseph A Tindale
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Responsible Gambling ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Personnes Âgées ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Problem Gambling Severity Index ◽  
Gambling Severity ◽  
Not At Risk ◽  
Risk Categories

Despite the limited amount of research on gambling in older adults (55+ years), they are often encouraged to use responsible gambling strategies to ensure that it remains a “low-risk” activity. However, the effectiveness of these strategies has not been examined in this population. The purpose of this study was threefold: to document the types of responsible gambling strategies used by older Ontario residents, to examine how these strategies relate to problem gambling risk, and to assess whether there are differences in the use of responsible gambling strategies between those who are and are not at risk of problem gambling. We examined the data of 673 older adults (M = 68.7, SD = 7.6)  from three different studies that used the same measurement instruments to assess demographics, problem gambling risk, and responsible gambling strategies (Norris & Tindale, 2006; Thériault, 2015; Tindale & Norris, 2015). We failed to find any evidence that the use of responsible gambling strategies was related to the risk of problem gambling in older adults (as measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index and the Windsor Screen). The respondents who used these strategies did not have a lower problem gambling risk than did the respondents who did not use the strategies. Further, the number of strategies used did not vary between problem gambling risk categories. These results raise questions about the utility of strategies used for responsible gambling.RésuméMalgré le nombre restreint de recherches effectuées sur le jeu chez les personnes âgées de 55 ans et plus, on constate que ces personnes sont souvent invitées à recourir à des stratégies de jeu responsable pour s’assurer que cette activité demeure « à faible risque ». L’efficacité de ces stratégies n’a cependant pas été examinée dans cette population. La raison d’être de cette étude est triple : répertorier les types de stratégies de jeu responsable utilisées par les personnes âgées en Ontario, examiner comment ces stratégies sont liées au risque de jeu compulsif, et évaluer s’il existe des différences entre les personnes à risque de jouer de manière compulsive et celles qui ne le sont pas dans l’utilisation de stratégies de jeu responsable. Au total, 673 personnes âgées (moyenne = 68,7, ÉT = 7,6) ont été recrutées dans trois études différentes recourant aux mêmes instruments de mesure; les mesures évaluaient les données démographiques, le risque de jeu problématique et les stratégies de jeu responsable (Norris et Tindale, 2006; Tindale et Norris, 2015; Thériault, 2015). L’étude n’a pas permis de prouver que l’utilisation de stratégies de jeu responsable était liée au risque de jeu excessif chez les personnes âgées (tel que mesuré par l’Indice canadien du jeu problématique, l’Indice de gravité du jeu problématique et le dépistage de Windsor). Les répondants qui ont utilisé ces stratégies n’affichaient pas un risque de jeu problématique inférieur à ceux qui ne les utilisaient pas. Enfin, le nombre de stratégies utilisées n’a pas varié entre les catégories de risque de jeu problématique. Ces résultats soulèvent des questions quant à l’utilité des stratégies employées pour assurer le jeu responsable.

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