Showing papers in "International Gambling Studies in 2013"
TL;DR: In this paper, a motivational model of gambling participation is presented, which comprises five motivational dimensions: the dream of hitting the jackpot and transforming one's life, social rewards, intellectual challenge, mood change induced by playing, and the chance of winning.
Abstract: A motivational model of gambling participation is presented. The model comprises five motivational dimensions: the dream of hitting the jackpot and transforming one's life, social rewards, intellectual challenge, mood change induced by playing, and – the fundamental motive for all gambling – the chance of winning. The model is primarily applicable to leisure gambling in contemporary western societies, but also helps us understand problem gambling. The model integrates the wide variety of motives individuals have for gambling and makes it possible to understand the specific appeal of gambling relative to other leisure activities. Gambling taps into human biopsychology, easily evokes powerful psychological processes, and connects with profound cultural meanings.
128 citations
TL;DR: In this article, two categories of preventive strategies, all universal and most school-based, are presented: gambling-specific prevention programmes and gambling and related skills workshops, which are generally effective in reducing misconceptions and increasing knowledge about gambling, however, a lack of long-term follow-ups and of behavioural measures makes it difficult to draw any clear conclusions about the effectiveness of such programmes.
Abstract: This paper critically reviews the existing literature on the effectiveness of gambling prevention programmes for youth. Two categories of preventive strategies, all universal and most school-based, are presented: gambling-specific prevention programmes and gambling and related skills workshops. The age of the participants across the different studies varied from 9 to 20 years. Results show that programmes in both categories are generally effective in reducing misconceptions and increasing knowledge about gambling. However, a lack of long-term follow-ups and of behavioural measures makes it difficult to draw any clear conclusions about the effectiveness of such programmes. Recommendations are presented to improve the development and evaluation of future prevention programmes for youth gambling.
85 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, secondary analysis of data from the 2010 British Gambling Prevalence Survey, a household survey of a representative sample of the population aged 16 years and over (N = ǫ7756), was used to derive estimates, for each form of gambling separately, of the percentage of all days play (two estimates), and all spend (four estimates), attributable to problem gamblers.
Abstract: The paper reports secondary analysis of data from the 2010 British Gambling Prevalence Survey, a household survey of a representative sample of the population aged 16 years and over (N = 7756). Responses to questions about frequency of gambling and average monthly spend on each of 15 forms of gambling, and responses to two different problem gambling screens (DSM-IV and PGSI), were used to derive estimates, for each form of gambling separately, of the percentage of (1) all days play (two estimates), and (2) all spend (four estimates), attributable to problem gamblers. Although these estimates must be treated as approximations only, they demonstrate that problem gamblers make a far greater contribution to total gambling attendances and losses than problem gambling prevalence figures would suggest. There are certain forms of British gambling to which problem gamblers may be contributing as much as 20–30% of all days play and spend, and moderate risk gamblers a possible further 10–20%.
62 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the relationship between gambling sponsorship and attitudes and intentions relating to gambling, in the context of a major Australian football competition heavily sponsored by gambling companies and found that exposure to gambling promotions during televised sport may encourage gambling intentions, and gamblers scoring higher on the PGSI are more likely to be exposed to gamblers' promotions.
Abstract: Gambling sponsorship of sport is increasingly prolific, but also contentious Underpinned by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), this study explores relationships between gambling sponsorship, and attitudes and intentions relating to gambling, in the context of a major Australian football competition heavily sponsored by gambling companies Data were gathered via two online surveys (N = 212) Analysis confirmed that attitudes and social norms predicted gambling intention Further, attitudes to gambling and gambling intention were positively associated with response to gambling sponsorship Viewing televised football matches, perceptions about sponsor–event fit and attitude to gambling sponsorship were associated with respondents' interest in, favourable attitude towards and propensity to use the sponsors' products Findings suggest that exposure to gambling promotions during televised sport may encourage gambling intentions, and that gamblers scoring higher on the PGSI are more likely to be exposed to th
56 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the first study to consider the extent of this impact in Asian societies where the family continues to be a very important basis for social organization and the qualitative data in this paper fleshes out the lived experience of family members and reveals the extent to which the family is mobilized to cope with problem gambling.
Abstract: Problem gambling has a profound impact on family members. While this has been previously documented, this paper reports on the first study to consider the extent of this impact in Asian societies where the family continues to be a very important basis for social organization. This study, based on in-depth interviews with 50 Singaporeans with a family member who is a problem or pathological gambler, examines how their financial, emotional and social well-being is impinged upon by gambling. The enormous losses of savings, property and lifestyle, the emotional tensions based on constant harassment from moneylenders, the threats of suicide by the gambler and the distancing of social networks place family members of problem gamblers in a vulnerable state. The qualitative data in this paper fleshes out the lived experience of family members and reveals the extent to which the family is mobilized in Asian societies to cope with problem gambling. While the impact of problem gambling on families is similar across ...
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a qualitative assessment of losing and tilting was conducted by analysing stories about significant monetary losses, written by Finnish on-line poker players (N = 60), uncovering five themes and a narrative structure underlying the aetiology and phenomenology of tilting.
Abstract: Poker is a game of skill and chance, where players often experience significant monetary losses. Detrimental out-of-control poker decision-making due to negative emotions is known as tilting. A qualitative assessment of losing and tilting was conducted by analysing stories about significant monetary losses, written by Finnish on-line poker players (N = 60). Thematic and narrative analyses uncovered five themes and a narrative structure underlying the aetiology and phenomenology of tilting. Tilting, in the narratives, was often instigated by dissociative feelings (‘unreality’, disbelief) following a significant monetary loss. Thereafter, moral indignation was experienced, followed by chasing behaviour, in an attempt to restore a ‘fair balance’ between wins and losses. In the aftermath of tilting, self-focused feelings of disappointment, depression and/or anxiety, and sleeping problems were experienced. It was also observed that experienced players, as compared to inexperienced ones, exhibited in their narr...
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated whether novice gamblers psychologically miscategorize LDWs and found that the more LDWs players were exposed to, the higher their win estimates, while the majority of novices also verbally miscategorized LDWs as wins.
Abstract: On multiline slot machines, ‘wins’ often amount to less than the spin wager, resulting in a monetary loss to the gambler. Nevertheless, these losses disguised as wins (LDWs) are accompanied by potentially reinforcing audiovisual feedback. A concern for gambling behaviour is whether or not players categorize LDWs as wins or losses, as miscategorization could effectively increase the reinforcement rate of these games. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether novice gamblers psychologically miscategorize LDWs. Forty-seven novices (undergraduate students) played 200 spins on an actual slot machine with credits, then estimated how often they won. It was found that the more LDWs players were exposed to, the higher their win estimates. In a subsequent ‘think out loud’ playing session, the majority of novices also verbally miscategorized LDWs as wins. We conclude that LDWs could increase the reinforcement rate of these games, despite not increasing the payout to the gambler.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed two markers for identifying at-risk gamblers based on the concept of sustainability, counting the number of games the gambler is involved in and predicting possible consequences of an exceeding amount of time dedicated to gambling.
Abstract: In this work we propose novel markers for identifying at-risk gamblers based on the concept of sustainability. The first hypothesis here verified is that problematic gamblers oscillate between intervals of increasing wager size followed by rapid drops, probably because they exceed their economic sustainability limits. Due to the non-periodic nature of these fluctuations, the proposed marker detects a certain occurring feature, such as a rapid drop in wager size, over a wide range of fluctuation periods, drop sizes and shapes. The second marker, counting the number of games the gambler is involved in, aims at predicting possible consequences of an exceeding amount of time dedicated to gambling, that ultimately causes social and relational breakdowns. In the experimental phase we demonstrate how the adoption of these markers allows for identifying larger segments of high- and medium-risk gamblers with respect to previous research on actual betting behaviours.
44 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined changes in hold percentage for club and hotel EGM gambling in Australia and found that hold generally falls over time, save for the State of Victoria between 1993 and 2009.
Abstract: Price in commercial gambling is effectively the house edge of the game. For electronic gaming machines (EGMs), house edge is the hold percentage. The paper tracks changes in hold percentage for club and hotel EGM gambling in Australia. We use real gambling turnover and revenue data to show that hold generally falls over time, save for the State of Victoria between 1993 and 2009. In Victoria, hold fell during the roll-out phase of the sector, before rising steadily. We examine local level data, finding that hold varied considerably by gaming operator across the period, before converging. The unique owner/operator corporate duopoly that existed in Victoria is posed as a potential explanation for aggregate price changes. We then calculate estimates of the monetary value of changes in hold percentage. We find increased hold can lead to substantial monetary redistributions of gamblers' stakes toward the house and away from gamblers. Policy options to protect gamblers from the unfairness of undetectable price r...
25 citations
TL;DR: The authors found that problem gamblers were more likely than non-problem and at-risk gamblers to endorse the belief that some slot machines keep me from winning because they are programmed to produce fewer wins than normal.
Abstract: All slot machines make money over time, but the payouts to the players can differ. ‘Loose’ machines pay out more than ‘tight’ machines. Gamblers (n = 1402) at Ontario slots venues were assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Their beliefs about slots were polled using the Informational Biases Scale. Problem gamblers were more likely than non-problem and at-risk gamblers to endorse the belief that ‘some slot machines keep me from winning because they are programmed to produce fewer wins than normal’. We then showed that after extensive play (60 hours), 9 out of 10 gamblers were able to correctly discriminate a ‘loose’ machine (98% payback) from a ‘tight’ machine (85% payback). Problem gamblers' assertions that there are ‘loose’ and ‘tight’ machines demonstrate a belief rooted in reality. The ability to distinguish ‘loose’ from ‘tight’ machines may be interpreted as a skill by players. Such skill, when overestimated, may lead to erroneous cognitions.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a telephone and Internet-assisted treatment for pathological gamblers is presented, along with a pre-post evaluation of the programme, and data from post-treatment and 3-month follow-up are evaluated.
Abstract: Although the effectiveness of treatments for pathological gamblers is gaining support, only 10% of pathological gamblers seek treatment. Providing treatment via the Internet may lower the thresholds for treatment seeking. A new telephone and Internet based treatment programme for pathological gamblers is presented in this article, along with a pre-post evaluation of the programme. The participants (N = 112) were problem gamblers who were either self-referred or referred by their general practitioner. Data from post-treatment and 3-month follow-up are evaluated. The results suggest that using Internet and telephone-assisted treatment interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of pathological gambling (measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen – Revised). The intervention was also associated with improvement on cognitive distortions, measured by the Gamblers Belief Questionnaire, and general psychological distress and psychopathology as measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Although Internet-b...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated what factors were related to endorsing gambling as an escape and found that there is a strong relationship between gambling severity and endorsing a gametheory escape.
Abstract: Research suggests there is a strong relationship between gambling severity and endorsing gambling as an escape. The present study investigated what factors were related to endorsing gambling as an escape. In Experiment 1, 149 university students completed a questionnaire designed to measure the contingencies maintaining one's gambling and a measure of executive function. Endorsing gambling as an escape was predicted by executive function associated with affect (empathy). In Experiment 2, 269 university students completed a questionnaire of the contingencies maintaining one's gambling and two measures related to affect (current affective state and pattern of emotion regulation). Impulse control related to dealing with negative emotions was unique in predicting gambling as an escape. The results suggest that endorsing gambling as an escape is related to emotion regulation both at a neurological and cognitive level, which is potentially informative for those interested in identifying, preventing and treating...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that Pigouvian taxes should be imposed on gambling activity to attenuate its external cost, which may boost social welfare in the local and external communities even though casinos and tourists incur certain private losses.
Abstract: Local economic growth can be spurred by casino tourism, yet this may take place at the expense of the external regions where tourists live. We show that Pigouvian taxes should be imposed on gambling activity to attenuate its external cost. The tax may boost social welfare in the local and external communities even though casinos and tourists incur certain private losses due to their tax burdens. The tax can also mitigate gaming-biased unbalanced growth via resource reallocation, and improve the terms of trade for local welfare enhancement through tourism as an exporting industry. If taxes are collected from tourists but not fully refunded, local tax policy then plays the dual roles for both social cost reduction and public revenue generation. Our empirical study suggests the importance of casino taxation for preventing the ‘exported’ social cost from coming back to hurt the local economy, for too much such exportation may trigger visa policy restrictions by tourists' home communities.
TL;DR: The authors used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to test the extent to which retrospectively reported ADHD symptoms are associated with gambling behavior in young adults.
Abstract: The study utilizes data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to test the extent to which retrospectively reported ADHD symptoms are associated with gambling behaviour in young adults. Results from linear probability and logistic regression models using data from 6145 survey respondents indicate that youths who reported symptoms consistent with Hyperactive-Impulsive type ADHD in childhood were significantly more likely than other youths to report clinical characteristics of disordered gambling, large past-year losses and/or multiple forms of gambling as young adults. The Combined type ADHD had no significant relationship to the gambling indicators, while the Inattentive type ADHD symptoms have a significant negative relationship to the gambling indicators. These findings provide preliminary support in a large, nationally representative sample for the relationship of ADHD and gambling and underscore the importance of addressing gambling-related issues in education, preventi...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the characteristics of three types of US gamblers: regular lottery players, heavy casino gamblers, and online gamblers using measures of several personality and psychographic variables: impulsiveness, desire for control, materialism, risk taking, self-centredness, introversion, sensation seeking and financial prudence.
Abstract: Using the results of the Experian Marketing Services' Simmons® National Consumer Study (NCS) (N0 = 24,581), this paper studies the characteristics of three types of US. gamblers: regular lottery players (N1 = 1100), heavy casino gamblers (N2 = 636) and online gamblers (N3 = 291). We explore each type of gambler using measures of several personality and psychographic variables: impulsiveness, desire for control, materialism, risk taking, self-centredness, introversion, sensation seeking and financial prudence. We find that while all three groups have elevated levels of impulsiveness and materialism relative to non-gamblers (p < 0.01), most noteworthy are the online gamblers, who have higher levels of risk taking, desire for control, self-centredness and sensation seeking compared to casino gamblers, lottery players and non-gamblers (p < 0.01). This study additionally emphasizes the importance of considering demographics when investigating psychographics, as some of the psychographics related to gambling ar...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined birth cohort differences in the age of onset of gambling in a national epidemiologic survey and found that individuals start to gamble at younger ages than they did in earlier generations.
Abstract: Youth gambling has become a significant public health concern, and it appears that individuals are gambling at younger ages than they did in earlier generations. We tested this question by examining birth cohort differences in the age of onset of gambling in a national epidemiologic survey. Data were drawn from the United States National Comorbidity Survey Replication, a nationally representative general population survey of adults born 1904–84. Individuals were divided into four birth cohorts. The cohorts were compared on their lifetime gambling involvement and age of onset of gambling. Significant birth cohort and sex differences were found in the age of gambling initiation, with more recently born cohorts starting to gamble at progressively earlier ages, and men starting to gamble at younger ages than women. The mean age of onset of gambling for individuals born before 1942 was 32.9 years, and for those born between 1973 and 1984 it was 16.9 years. The overall mean ages of onset of gambling were 20.8 f...
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to differentiate specific migration-related factors that can account for an increased vulnerability to pathological gambling (PG) among migrants in Germany and found that migrants have higher motivation and craving to gamble.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to differentiate specific migration-related factors that can account for an increased vulnerability to pathological gambling (PG) among migrants in Germany. One hundred and six gamblers (61 migrants, 45 Germans) with varying degrees of gambling problems participated in the study. We analysed (1) differences between migrants and Germans regarding gambling patterns, severity of gambling problems, motivation and craving; influence of (2) acculturative stress; (3) acceptance and popularity of gambling in the culture of origin on gambling problems; (4) differences between migrants and Germans regarding family gambling and peer gambling; and (5) differences in religiosity and its influence on gambling problems. Results suggest no differences between migrants and Germans regarding gambling patterns and the severity of gambling problems. However, findings indicate that migrants have higher motivation and craving to gamble. Findings further suggest that acculturative stress i...
TL;DR: In this paper, a logistic regression analysis with a representative sample of adults in the province of Quebec (Canada) revealed 12 significant predictors of non-gambling status among these predictors, seven were sociodemographic variables (i.e., birthplace, mother tongue, childhood religion, civil status, education, family income and family history of gambling problems), four were psychological variables (e.g., optimism concerning one's financial situation relative to others, beliefs concerning chances of winning, and suicidal ideation) and one variable was behavioural (ie church attendance)
Abstract: In this article it is argued that knowing more about non-gamblers could help researchers discover novel protective factors against problem gambling The purpose of this study was to therefore to identify the sociodemographic, psychological and behavioural characteristics that are more prevalent among non-gamblers than among gamblers Results from a logistic regression analysis with a representative sample of adults in the province of Quebec (Canada) revealed 12 significant predictors of non-gambling status Among these predictors, seven were sociodemographic variables (ie birthplace, mother tongue, childhood religion, civil status, education, family income and family history of gambling problems), four were psychological variables (ie perception of one's financial situation relative to others, optimism concerning one's financial situation, beliefs concerning chances of winning, and suicidal ideation) and one variable was behavioural (ie church attendance) Further research including different types
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the results of a qualitative phenomenology study asking seven Aboriginal women living in Western Canada to describe their experiences of social trauma and gambling problems, and participants described what they felt was a clear link between social trauma and problems with gambling, and how gambling helped to change their mood and block out the past.
Abstract: Although studies have shown a link between social trauma and problem gambling (PG), there is little research involving Aboriginal women in this area, despite Aboriginal women being potentially at higher risk for both social trauma and problem gambling. This article describes the results of a qualitative phenomenology study asking seven Aboriginal women living in Western Canada to describe their experiences of social trauma and gambling problems. Results suggest four main themes, describing: (1) the Aboriginal women's experiences of social trauma (‘the three tigers’); (2) their use of gambling to cope with these experiences (‘a big hole with the wind blowing through it’); (3) their experience of problem gambling (‘I'm somebody today’); and (4) their process of healing from social trauma and gambling problems (‘a letter to John’). Participants described what they felt was a clear link between social trauma and problems with gambling, and how gambling helped to change their mood and block out the past. The r...
TL;DR: The CANTAB® tests of planning and organization/problem-solving, set-shifting, working memory and reflection impulsivity, were administered alongside the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and Dysexecutive Questionnaire, with performance falling in the healthy, unimpaired range for both groups.
Abstract: Two decades of neuropsychological research on predominantly Caucasian problem gamblers has unveiled significantly poorer performance on several domains of executive functioning (EF) relative to healthy controls. However, contradictory findings are widespread and evidence that pathological gamblers (PGs) are ‘impaired’ remains inconclusive. The study examined multiple facets of EF in 30 male, PGs seeking outpatient treatment in Singapore and 30 matched controls. CANTAB® tests of planning and organization/problem-solving, set-shifting, working memory and reflection impulsivity, were administered alongside the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and Dysexecutive Questionnaire. No significant group differences were found on any of the EF performance parameters, with performance falling in the healthy, unimpaired range for both groups. PGs did, however, report significantly greater impulsivity, everyday cognitive failures and symptoms of the dysexecutive syndrome. Exploratory analysis...
TL;DR: This article examined the association between a wide range of factors and young adults' gambling and found that adolescents who smoke cigarettes, exhibited externalizing problems, performed poorly at high school or experienced childhood sexual abuse were more likely to gamble or spend more money on gambling at 21 years.
Abstract: This study examined the association between a wide range of factors and young adults' gambling. Data were from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy. The study is based on 3691 individuals for whom data were available on self-report gambling and gambling expenditure at the 21-year follow-up. Independent variables were measured at the baseline and 14-year follow-up. Adolescents who smoked cigarettes, exhibited externalizing problems, performed poorly at high school or experienced childhood sexual abuse were more likely to gamble or spend more money on gambling at 21 years. While it is uncertain whether early interventions for those individuals who start to use substances at an early age or face difficulties due to family circumstances will impact on rates of gambling, research should examine whether intervention programmes that target modifiable factors such as adolescent school performance and externalizing behaviour reduce later gambling.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse human interactions and activities structured in terms of overt or implicit rules involved in the junket business in Macao and find that the active role played by local people appears to have diminished.
Abstract: Before Macao's gaming liberalization, people from Macao and Hong Kong took the active lead as junket operators to entice high-betting gamblers from neighbouring places. With the People's Republic of China as the dominating source of visitors to Macao, there have been some changes in the junket business. The qualitative research interview was adopted due to the under-researched nature of the junket business. This study is based on the institutional theory to analyse human interactions and activities structured in terms of overt or implicit rules involved in the junket business in Macao. A review of the literature and interview findings indicates that the active role played by local people appears to have diminished. As junket activities like patron recruitment and gambling debt collection are primarily conducted in Mainland China, together with the business opportunities from gambling and junket operators' preference for working with ethnically homogeneous groups, the previous active role played by local p...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated change in gambling behaviours over the life course, and correspondingly, the treatment-seeking behaviours of 86 people who met the criteria for at-risk (participants endorsing two to four items on the South Oaks Gambling Screen [SOGS]) and problem gamblers (Participants endorsing five or more items on SOGS) over the last five years.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate change in gambling behaviours over the life course, and, correspondingly, the treatment-seeking behaviours of 86 people who met the criteria for at-risk (participants endorsing two to four items on the South Oaks Gambling Screen [SOGS]) and problem gamblers (participants endorsing five or more items on the SOGS) over the last five years. Data were obtained from informants during semi-structured interviews using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I and axis II disorders (SCID I and II), SOGS and treatment-seeking interviews. The results showed three groups of gambling behaviours over the life course. A first group started gambling early on and continued participating in recreational gambling until its participants were between 40 and 50 years of age, during which time they became problem gamblers. A second group transitioned from recreational gambling to problem gambling over a short period of time; its participants were aged between 40 and 50. Lastly,...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of an online survey conducted among a sample of 161 online sports bettors in which their return-on-investment (ROI) performance as computed on the basis of their last 20 bets was used as the main dependent variable.
Abstract: This article reports the results of an online survey conducted among a sample of 161 online sports bettors in which their return-on-investment (ROI) performance as computed on the basis of their last 20 bets was used as the main dependent variable. A regression analysis showed that the online gamblers’ ROI performance is positively associated with their experience in sports betting, the degree of information search and analysis performed prior to betting, and their propensity to consider that events that happen in their life are the results of chance forces. These research results are discussed in the context of a general theoretical model where gambling performance is seen as depending on four types of determinants: the gambler's experience, personality, motivation and cognitive abilities.
TL;DR: This paper analyzed the controversy in Israel in the years 1958-2003 surrounding the legitimacy of casino gambling, with particular focus on how it was affected by the operations of Casino Oasis in the Palestinian Authority territory between 1998 and 2000.
Abstract: This study analyses the controversy in Israel in the years 1958–2003 surrounding the legitimacy of casino gambling, with particular focus on how it was affected by the operations of Casino Oasis in the Palestinian Authority territory between 1998 and 2000. An interpretative narrative analysis of debates in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) and in the local press reveals that, prior to the casino's opening, most of the arguments raised were similar to those seen elsewhere in the world, with opponents objecting on moral, religious and social grounds, and those in favour emphasizing its economic and tourism benefits. However, once Casino Oasis opened its doors, the controversy took on a character not seen anywhere else in this context – opponents raised concerns about terrorism, while proponents championed the casino as a promoter of peace and coexistence – reflecting a broader, more fundamental national debate within Israeli society over the country's physical boundaries.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the reasons to gamble or not gamble in detention, and found that despite the presence of gambling addicts among the inmates interviewed, none of the reasons generally associated with pathological gambling was reported during the interviews to explain gambling in detention.
Abstract: Several studies conducted around the world confirm the presence of gambling in detention facilities. Based on interviews conducted with male inmates in three Canadian penitentiaries, the authors of this article studied the reasons to gamble or not gamble in detention. The inmates' relationships with gambling prior to their incarceration were taken into consideration, to explain notably the influence of context on the reasons why they do or do not gamble. For most inmates, gambling is a good recreational alternative to boredom; however, some use it also to socialize or even protect themselves indirectly. Even more interesting is the fact that, despite the presence of gambling addicts among the inmates interviewed, none of the reasons generally associated with pathological gambling was reported during the interviews to explain gambling in detention. These results reinforce the influence of contextual factors on pathological gambling problems. Anxiety-producing factors in gamblers' lives, an environment wher...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address the necessity of increasing the role of mathematics in the psychological intervention in problem gambling, including cognitive therapies, and call for interdisciplinary research with the direct contribution of mathematics.
Abstract: The article addresses the necessity of increasing the role of mathematics in the psychological intervention in problem gambling, including cognitive therapies. It also calls for interdisciplinary research with the direct contribution of mathematics. The current contributions and limitations of the role of mathematics are analysed with an eye toward the professional profiles of the researchers. An enhanced collaboration between these two disciplines is suggested and predicted.
TL;DR: In this paper, a Spanish measure of self-efficacy to control gambling behavior (GSEQ-S) has been developed to assess gambling behavior in Spanish-speaking individuals.
Abstract: The US Spanish-speaking population has rapidly increased in recent years and there is a need for valid Spanish measures to assess gambling behaviour. This study reports on the development of a Spanish measure of self-efficacy to control gambling behaviour (Gambling Self-Efficacy Questionnaire [GSEQ]; May, Whelan, Steenbergh, & Meyers, 2003). One hundred and eighty-seven Spanish-speaking individuals residing in the south-east United States completed the 16-item measure. The GSEQ-Spanish version (GSEQ-S) showed high internal consistency (α = 0.99) and evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Factor analytic data supported a single factor structure similar to that found with the English version. As expected, pathological gamblers scored significantly lower on the GSEQ-S than non-pathological gamblers. The results provide initial psychometric support for the GSEQ-S and suggest that the measure can be used as a valid assessment of gambling self-efficacy among Spanish-speaking gamblers. Further evaluat...