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CORK Bibliography: Gambling

54 citations. January 2012 to present

Prepared: June 2012

Anagnostaras G. Les jeux sont faits? Mutual recognition and the specificities of online gambling. European Law Review 37(2): 191-203, 2012. (6 refs.)

Online and land-based gambling activities merely constitute alternative marketing channels of the same unique market of gaming services. However, the particularities of online gambling are to be taken into account when assessing the scope of the restrictions imposed by national gaming laws and their suitability to pursue the legitimate objectives of consumer protection and public order maintenance. This is in essence the core of the recent preliminary rulings in Zeturf and Dickinger, on the legality of national legislation regulating the provision of horseracing betting services and the operation of internet casino games respectively. The rulings actually complement and interpret the earlier judicial pronouncements in Kulpa and Carmen Media, reconciling them with the more sectoral approach originally adopted in Schindler. At the same time, they confirm in the most categorical terms that online gaming services are automatically excluded from the application of the mutual recognition principle irrespective of the measure of monitoring and control to which they are already subject in the Member State where their operator is established.

Andrade LF; Petry NM. Delay and probability discounting in pathological gamblers with and without a history of substance use problems. Psychopharmacology 219(2, special issue): 491-499, 2012. (65 refs.)

Pathological gambling and substance use disorders are highly comorbid, possibly because they both stem from a similar process-impulsivity. Although much data exist regarding the association between delay discounting and these psychiatric disorders, relatively little research has examined probability discounting and its relationship with either substance use or gambling. The goal of the current study was to compare rates of probability and delay discounting in a large population of pathological gamblers with and without a history of substance use problems. Treatment-seeking pathological gamblers with (n = 117) and without (n = 119) a history of substance use problems completed questionnaires about discounting of hypothetical monetary outcomes and the Eysenck Impulsivity Questionnaire. The delay-discounting questionnaire involved choices between a smaller amount of money delivered immediately versus a larger amount delivered later, and the probability questionnaire was comprised of choices between a smaller certain versus a larger probabilistic monetary outcome. Hyperbolic functions estimated delay and probability discounting rates based on the indifference points obtained through the questionnaires. Results revealed significant effects of substance use problem status on delay but not on probability discounting, with no significant correlation noted between the two discounting processes. Only delay discounting correlated with Eysenck impulsivity scores. These data suggest that delay and probability discounting tap different dimensions, and delay discounting is more closely linked with substance use problem histories in pathological gamblers.

Aragay N; Roca A; Garcia B; Marqueta C; Guijarro S; Delgado L et al. Pathological gambling in a psychiatric sample. Comprehensive Psychiatry 53(1): 9-14, 2012. (31 refs.)

Objective: This study determines the prevalence of gambling difficulties in a consecutive sample of psychiatric inpatients and compares it with a nonpsychiatric inpatient sample. In addition, the gambling prevalence among all psychiatric disorders is analyzed. Method: An observational study was conducted in psychiatric patients and sex- and age-matched nonpsychiatric patients. The psychiatric group (n = 100) included all consecutive patients admitted to the psychiatric unit of our hospital. The nonpsychiatric group (n = 100) included psychiatrically healthy inpatients from any other hospital unit. The National Opinion Research Center Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Screen for Gambling Problems was used to screen for gambling behavior. Results: Gambling difficulties were experienced by 3% (2% pathological gambling and 1% problem gambling) of nonpsychiatric inpatients and 9% (8% pathological gambling and 1% problem gambling) of psychiatric inpatients, including 6 with psychotic disorders, 1 with mood disorder, I with adjustment disorder, and 1 with eating disorder. There were no statistical differences in gambling prevalence between groups. In terms of comorbidity, patients with psychotic disorder had a higher prevalence of gambling problems than other psychiatric disorders (P = .045). Conclusions: A higher prevalence of gambling disorders was found in psychiatric inpatients than in nonpsychiatric inpatients. It may be advisable for therapists to routinely assess for gambling difficulties as part of the psychiatric evaluation.

Ashley LL; Boehlke KK. Pathological gambling: A general overview. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 44(1): 27-37, 2012. (73 refs.)

Throughout the course of history, gambling has been a popular activity across most cultures. In the United States, gambling has transitioned from early acceptance to prohibition to widespread proliferation. For most, gambling is a relaxing and recreational activity; however, for some individuals gambling becomes more than harmless fun. The most severe form of gambling, pathological gambling, is recognized as a mental health disorder. Pathological gambling is currently classified as an impulse control disorder in the DSM-IV-TR, but it shares many important features with substance use disorders, especially in terms of diagnostic criteria, clinical course, and treatment. Consequently, the DSM-V Task Force has suggested that pathological gambling be reclassified and included in a new category entitled "Addiction and Related Disorders." The category would include both substance-related and non-substance/behavioral addictions. This article provides a general overview of some of the available literature regarding pathological gambling and includes the presentation of a number of relevant topics including etiology, risk factors, comorbidity, prevention, and treatment. However, as with most complex, multifaceted, and multidimensional phenomena, more research is needed in order to improve both prevention and treatment efforts for pathological gambling.

Balodis IM; Kober H; Worhunsky PD; Stevens MC; Pearlson GD; Potenza MN. Diminished frontostriatal activity during processing of monetary rewards and losses in pathological gambling. Biological Psychiatry 71(8): 749-757, 2012. (77 refs.)

Background: Mesocorticolimbic neurocircuitry and impulsivity have both been implicated in pathological gambling (PG) and in reward processing. However, the neural underpinnings of specific phases of reward and loss processing in PG and their relationships to impulsivity remain only partially understood. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined brain activity associated with different phases of reward and loss processing in PG. Given an inverse relationship between ventral striatal recruitment during anticipation of monetary rewards and impulsivity in alcohol dependence, the current study explored whether a similar association might also be present in PG. Methods: Fourteen adults with PG and 14 control comparison participants performed the Monetary Incentive Delay Task to identify brain activation changes associated with reward/loss prospect, reward/loss anticipation, and reward/loss notification. Impulsivity was assessed separately using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Results: Relative to the control comparison group, the PG group exhibited significantly reduced activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, insula, and ventral striatum during several phases, including the prospect and anticipation phases of both gains and losses. Activity in the ventral striatum correlated inversely with levels of impulsivity in PG participants, consistent with prior findings in alcohol dependence. Conclusions: Relatively decreased activity in corticostriatal neurocircuitry during multiple phases of reward processing suggests consistent alterations in neurocircuitry underlying incentive valuation and loss prediction. Together with findings in alcohol dependence, these results suggest that impulsive tendencies in addictions may be reflected in diminished ventral striatal activations to reward anticipation and may represent targets for treatment development in addictions.

Barberis N. A model of casino gambling. Management Science 58(1, Part 1): 35-51, 2012. (11 refs.)

We show that prospect theory offers a rich theory of casino gambling, one that captures several features of actual gambling behavior. First, we demonstrate that for a wide range of preference parameter values, a prospect theory agent would be willing to gamble in a casino even if the casino offers only bets with no skewness and with zero or negative expected value. Second, we show that the probability weighting embedded in prospect theory leads to a plausible time inconsistency: at the moment he enters a casino, the agent plans to follow one particular gambling strategy; but after he starts playing, he wants to switch to a different strategy. The model therefore predicts heterogeneity in gambling behavior: how a gambler behaves depends on whether he is aware of the time inconsistency; and, if he is aware of it, on whether he can commit in advance to his initial plan of action.

Bertoni S; Frazier D. The billion dollar bet. Forbes 189(4): 66-+, 2012. (0 refs.)

Near default three years ago, Sheldon Adelson has made more money than anyone in America since, dominating Chinese gambling-and U.S. politics. A full-access tour of his $25 billion comeback.

Blanco C; Myers J; Kendler KS. Gambling, disordered gambling and their association with major depression and substance use: a web-based cohort and twin-sibling study. Psychological Medicine 42(3): 497, 2012. (48 refs.)

Background. Relatively little is known about the environmental and genetic contributions to gambling frequency and disordered gambling (DG), the full continuum of gambling-related problems that includes pathological gambling (PG). Method. A web-based sample (n = 43 799 including both members of 609 twin and 303 sibling pairs) completed assessments of number of lifetime gambling episodes, DSM-IV criteria for PG, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine intake, and nicotine dependence (ND) and DSM-III-R criteria for lifetime major depression (MD). Twin modeling was performed using Mx. Results. In the entire cohort, symptoms of DG indexed a single dimension of liability. Symptoms of DG were weakly related to caffeine intake and moderately related to MD, consumption of cigarettes and alcohol, and ND. In twin and sibling pairs, familial resemblance for number of times gambled resulted from both familial-environmental (c(2) = 42%) and genetic factors (a(2) = 32%). For symptoms of DG, resemblance resulted solely from genetic factors (a(2) = 83%). Bivariate analyses indicated a low genetic correlation between symptoms of DG and MD (r(a) = +0.14) whereas genetic correlations with DG symptoms were substantially higher with use of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, and ND (ranging from +0.29 to +0.80). The results were invariant across genders. Conclusions. Whereas gambling participation is determined by shared environmental and genetic factors, DG constitutes a single latent dimension that is largely genetically determined and more closely related to externalizing than internalizing behaviors. Because these findings are invariant across genders, they suggest that the etiological factors of DG are likely to be similar in men and women.

Brasfield H; Febres J; Shorey R; Strong D; Ninnemann A; Elmquist J et al. Male batterers' alcohol use and gambling behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 77-88, 2012. (62 refs.)

Little work has examined the interrelations among intimate partner violence (IPV), alcohol use, and gambling behavior, and no studies have examined these relationships among males court-ordered to batterer intervention programs (BIPs). The aim of the current investigation was to explore the associations between IPV, alcohol use, and gambling behavior among 341 males court-mandated to attend BIPs utilizing self-report measures. Voluntary, anonymous questionnaires were administered and completed during regularly scheduled BIP sessions. Compared to the general population, a higher percentage of the sample met criteria for pathological gambling (9%), and problem gambling (17%). Further, males exhibiting pathological gambling were more likely to be hazardous drinkers, and hazardous drinkers were more likely to exhibit pathological gambling. Additionally, pathological gamblers were at an increased risk for the perpetration of both physical and sexual aggression. Finally, gambling behavior uniquely predicted the perpetration of sexual aggression above and beyond alcohol use, impulsivity, and relationship satisfaction. The implications of these results for future research and intervention are discussed.

Braverman J; Shaffer HJ. How do gamblers start gambling: Identifying behavioural markers for high-risk internet gambling. European Journal of Public Health 22(2): 273-278, 2012. (34 refs.)

Background: The goal of this study is to identify betting patterns displayed during the first month of actual Internet gambling on a betting site that can serve as behavioural markers to predict the development of gambling-related problems. Methods: Using longitudinal data, k-means clustering analysis identified a small subgroup of high-risk gamblers. Results: Seventy-three percent of the members of this subgroup eventually closed their account due to gambling-related problems. The characteristics of this high-risk subgroup were as follows: (i) frequent and (ii) intensive betting combined with (iii) high variability across wager amount and (iv) an increasing wager size during the first month of betting. Conclusion: This analysis provides important information that can help to identify potentially problematic gamblers during the early stages of gambling-related problems. Public health workers can use these results to develop early interventions that target high-risk Internet gamblers for prevention efforts. However, one study limitation is that the results distinguish only a small proportion of the total sample; therefore, additional research will be necessary to identify markers that can classify larger segments of high-risk gamblers.

Clark L; Crooks B; Clarke R; Aitken MRF; Dunn BD. Physiological responses to near-miss outcomes and personal control during simulated gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 123-137, 2012. (60 refs.)

Near-miss outcomes during gambling are non-win outcomes that fall close to a pay-out. While objectively equivalent to an outright miss, near-misses motivate ongoing play and may therefore be implicated in the development of disordered gambling. Given naturalistic data showing increases in heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA) during periods of real gambling play, we sought to explore the phasic impact of win, near-miss and full-miss outcomes on physiological arousal in a controlled laboratory environment. EDA and HR were monitored as healthy, student participants (n = 33) played a simulated slot-machine task involving unpredictable monetary wins. A second gambling distortion, perceived personal control, was manipulated within the same task by allowing the participant to select the play icon on some trials, and having the computer automatically select the play icon on other trials. Near-misses were rated as less pleasant than full-misses. However, on trials that involved personal choice, near-misses produced higher ratings of 'continue to play' than full-misses. Winning outcomes were associated with phasic EDA responses that did not vary with personal choice. Compared to full-misses, near-miss outcomes also elicited an EDA increase, which was greater on personal choice trials. Near-misses were also associated with greater HR acceleration than other outcomes. Near-miss outcomes are capable of eliciting phasic changes in physiological arousal consistent with a state of subjective excitement, despite their objective non-win status.

Curnow J. Gambling in Flores, Indonesia: Not such risky business. Australian Journal of Anthropology 23(1): 101-116, 2012. (37 refs.)

Gambling is fantastically popular among Ngadha people on the island of Flores in eastern Indonesia. The White Coupon lottery, cards, cockfights and board games are ubiquitous, providing a socially acceptable medium through which to use and circulate cash. However, gambling as an economic activity does not sit well with development paradigms of the Indonesian State, Catholic Church or foreign-aid agencies. Cast as greedy and wasteful, gambling evokes images of lazy and nefarious characters. Yet for Flores players who oscillate between agricultural subsistence, sporadic wage labour and a market economy, gambling is a viable economic strategy. This was eloquently explained to me by a Ngadha gambler, who said plant one seed and you may get ten beans, bet Rp1,000 you may get Rp10,000 back. This enticing logic articulates the rationale for framing gambling as one of a raft of economic activities, albeit illegal, in this relatively remote rural location.

de Ruiter MB; Oosterlaan J; Veltman DJ; van den Brink W; Goudriaan AE. Similar hyporesponsiveness of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex in problem gamblers and heavy smokers during an inhibitory control task. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 121(1-2): 81-89, 2012. (73 refs.)

Background: Behavioral addictions like pathological gambling share many clinical characteristics with substance dependence. In addition, both types of disorders are associated with impairments in inhibitory control. Studies in patients with substance use disorders point to hyporesponsiveness of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. However, no such data exist on behavioral addictions. Methods: Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the neural circuitry associated with impaired response inhibition in a group of male problem gamblers (n = 17) using a stop signal task. We included control conditions tailored to specifically isolate neural correlates of inhibitory control. To investigate the specificity of effects, a group of heavy smokers (n = 18) and a group of healthy controls (n = 17) were also included. Results: Groups did not differ in behavioral performance on the stop signal task. However, both problem gamblers and heavy smokers showed hyporesponsiveness of the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex compared to healthy controls, during successful as well as failed response inhibition. These effects were robust against adjustments for depression and adult attention deficit scores. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hypoactivation of the inhibition circuit is a shared neural mechanism in substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. As such, they support the reclassification of pathological gambling as a behavioral addiction in DSM-V.

Denis C; Fatseas M; Auriacombe M. Analyses related to the development of DSM-5 criteria for substance use related disorders: 3. An assessment of Pathological Gambling criteria. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 122(1-2): 22-27, 2012. (33 refs.)

Background: The DSM-5 Substance-Related Disorders Work Group proposed to include Pathological Gambling within the current Substance-Related Disorders section. The objective of the current report was to assess four possible sets of diagnostic criteria for Pathological Gambling. Methods: Gamblers (N = 161) were defined as either Pathological or Non-Pathological according to four classification methods. (a) Option 1: the current DSM-IV criteria for Pathological Gambling; (b) Option 2: dropping the "Illegal Acts" criterion, while keeping the threshold at 5 required criteria endorsed; (c) Option 3: the proposed DSM-5 approach, i.e., deleting "Illegal Acts" and lowering the threshold of required criteria from 5 to 4; (d) Option 4: to use a set of Pathological Gambling criteria modeled on the DSM-IV Substance Dependence criteria. Cronbach's alpha values were calculated for reliability, Phi, discriminant function analyses, correlations and multivariate regression models were performed for validity and kappa coefficients were calculated for diagnostic consistency of each option. Results: All criteria sets were reliable and valid. Some criteria had higher discriminant properties than others. Conclusion: The proposed DSM-5 criteria in Options 2 and 3 performed well and did not appear to alter the meanings of the diagnoses of Pathological Gambling from DSM-IV. Future work should further explore if Pathological Gambling might be assessed using the same criteria as those used for Substance Use Disorders.

Dymond S; McCann K; Griffiths J; Cox A; Crocker V. Emergent response allocation and outcome ratings in slot machine gambling. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 26(1): 99-111, 2012. (52 refs.)

The present study describes a contemporary behavior-analytic model of emergent simulated slot machine gambling. Three laboratory experiments investigated the conditions under which stimuli correlated with different slot machine payout probabilities come to have new, emergent functions without those functions being trained directly. After a successful test for verbal relations (Al-B1-C1 and A2-B2-C2), gamblers and nongamblers were exposed to a task in which high- and low-payout probability functions were established for two slot machines labeled with members of the derived relations (B1 and B2). In Experiment 1, participants provided ratings and chose between concurrently presented slot machines labeled with indirectly related stimuli (C1 and C2). In Experiments 2 and 3, participants made ratings and chose under conditions of nonreinforcement and matched payout probabilities, respectively. Across all three experiments, it was predicted that participants would make more selections of, and give higher liking ratings to, the slot machine indirectly related to the trained high-payout probability machine (C2) than the slot machine indirectly related to the trained low-payout probability machine (C1). Findings supported these predictions. The implications for behavior-analytic research on gambling and the development of verbally based interventions for disordered gambling are discussed.

Edens EL; Rosenheck RA. Rates and correlates of pathological gambling among VA mental health service users. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 1-11, 2012. (42 refs.)

The rate and correlates of diagnosed pathological gambling (PG) among mental health patients in the Veterans Health Administration, the only national system of mental health care, have not been studied. Using fiscal year 2009 (FY2009) VA administrative data, a case-control study compared those with an ICD code of 312.31 (PG) versus those without. The analytic group was limited to 1, 102, 846 Veterans Affairs (VA) specialty mental health (MH) services users because 94.5% of all those diagnosed with PG in the U.S. VA health system received such services. Chi-square tests and logistic regression assessed associations between demographic and clinical factors and PG diagnosis. The past-year rate of PG diagnosis among veterans treated in specialty MH program was 0.2%, significantly lower than prevalence rates in other treatment samples and the general U.S population, suggesting under-diagnosis and/or a low-income sample. Being female, ages 40-74, and higher income increased the risk of PG diagnosis, as did past-year homelessness (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.2), alcohol use disorders (OR = 2.8), bipolar disorder (OR = 2.1) and personality disorders (OR = 2.1). Depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders other than PTSD, were also positively associated with PG diagnosis. Drug use disorder had no significant independent association with PG. PTSD, dementia, and living in isolated rural areas conferred reduced risk. More systematic screening and surveillance of PG among MH service users generally, and veterans with heavy alcohol use, severe mental illness, and homelessness specifically, appears warranted.

Fernandez-Montalvo J; Lopez-Goni JJ; Arteaga A. Prevalence of pathological gambling in treatment-seeking addicted patients: An exploratory study with the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Anales de Psicologia 28(2): 344-349, 2012. (53 refs.)

In the current paper, the prevalence of pathological gambling in 112 treatment-seeking patients with substance addiction (81 alcoholics and 31 cocaine dependents) was estimated. The DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling and the Spanish version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) were used. The results showed that 22.3% of substance-addicted patients had a comorbid diagnosis of pathological gambling. Furthermore, an additional 11.6% of the sample had relevant symptoms for problem gambling. In sum, 33.9% of the sample reported clinically significant gambling-related symptoms. From a socio-demographic point of view, all substance-addicted patients with gambling-related symptoms were men. A comparison between substance-addicted patients with and without pathological gambling showed significant differences in alcohol severity (assessed by the EurapASI), psychopathological symptoms (assessed by the SCL-90-R) and personality variables (assessed by the MCMI-II). In all cases, scores were significantly higher in gamblers than in non-gamblers. Finally, the implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are commented upon.

Foottit J; Anderson D. Associations between perception of wellness and health-related quality of life, comorbidities, modifiable lifestyle factors and demographics in older Australians. Australasian Journal on Ageing 31(1): 22-27, 2012. (20 refs.)

Aim: The associations between perceived wellness and health-related quality of life, comorbidities and modifiable lifestyle factors in older adults were explored. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires including the Perceived Wellness Survey and the 36-Item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study version two were distributed to 328 community-living adults aged 65 years and over. Results: Results showed positive associations between perception of wellness and health-related quality of life. General health (r(249) = 0.66, P < 0.01), vitality (r(249) = 0.59, P < 0.01) and mental health (r(249) = 0.52, P < 0.01) had the strongest association with perceived wellness; and social functioning (r(249) = 0.3, P < 0.01) and pain (r(249) = 0.36, P < 0.01) the lowest. Perceived wellness was influenced by hearing, mobility, memory, chronic disease, exercise, gambling and single status. Conclusion: The study identified that perceived wellness in older adults is a multidimensional construct.

Gavriel-Fried B; Ajzenstadt M. Pathological women gamblers: Gender-related aspects of control. Sex Roles 66(1-2): 128-142, 2012. (78 refs.)

This study examines the control exhibited by pathological women gamblers over their lives and their surroundings, and how this is governed by their perception of their gender role and socio-cultural expectations of them as women. Seventeen pathological women gamblers (13 of whom were mothers) were recruited from three addiction treatment centers in Israel, and participated in semi-structured interviews. Three central themes emerged during analysis: maintaining control over the gender roles-putting child raising and housekeeping duties first despite their gambling habits; control over the choice of gambling venue-gambling far from their home, or where they knew the owners; and moral control-steering clear of immoral behaviors in spite of their addiction to gambling. Further analysis reveals how pathological women gamblers who are also mothers make rational choices that help them juggle between their gender roles and gambling, to minimize the social costs that might be incurred by their gambling habit. Moreover, presenting the gambling behavior as more moral than theft or prostitution enabled them to normalize their behavior. The study's findings show how the decisions and choices made by the women in this study are shaped by the socio-cultural context in which they are made.

Hansen MB; Rossow IM. Does a reduction in the overall amount of gambling imply a reduction at all levels of gambling? Addiction Research & Theory 20(2): 145-152, 2012. (21 refs.)

The frequencies of slot machine gambling decreased in Norway after a major regulation in the slot machine market in 2006. This study addressed whether a change in population gambling frequency mean is accompanied by a systematic displacement at all levels of gambling frequency among adolescents, across different population samples, and over time in the same population. Data were collected in two cross-sectional school surveys among 13-19 year olds in Norway in 2005 and 2006. Net samples comprised 21,202 and 20,642 students, respectively. The students reported annual gambling frequency for six games for money, and a variable for total gambling frequency was analyzed. A strong regularity in the distribution of gambling behavior was observed and gambling at all levels, from light and moderate to frequent and excessive gambling, varied systematically with mean gambling frequency. Thus, a change in the population mean was accompanied by a systematic displacement at all levels of gambling behavior and not only at high to excessive levels of gambling. The findings are in line with those reported in other health areas and relevant to a public health perspective on problem gambling, suggesting that prevention strategies aimed at the total population of gamblers may also affect excessive gambling.

Hasin DS. Introduction to DSM-5 criteria linked papers in drug and alcohol dependence. (editorial). Drug and Alcohol Dependence 122(1-2): 20-21, 2012. (3 refs.)

The DSM-5 Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Workgroup has considered a number of issues in the process of implementing revisions designed to result in better definitions of the disorders. One of the main issues considered was what to do about the DSM-IV division between two disorders, abuse and dependence. This issue arose because the reliability and validity of abuse was far lower and more variable than the reliability and validity of dependence, and also because misconceptions regarding the relationship of abuse to dependence abound among clinicians and researchers. Additional issues the SUD workgroup considered included whether to add new criteria, e.g., craving, and remove existing criteria, e.g. legal problems. Some issues pertaining to gambling disorders were considered as well.

Hayatbakhsh MR; Clavarino A; Williams GM; Bor W; Najman JM. Young adults' gambling and its association with mental health and substance use problems. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 36(2): 160-166, 2012. (44 refs.)

Objective: To examine the socio-demographic characteristics of young adults gambling and its association with mental health and substance use behaviour. Methods: The study is based on 3,512 young adults (1648 males) for whom data from the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) were available on self-report gambling, gambling expenditure, Achenbach's Young Adult Self Report and substance use at the 21-year follow-up of the MUSP. The participants' age ranged between 18.2 and 23.6 (mean = 20.6, standard deviation = 0.8) years. Results: Two-fifths of the young adults reported gambling. Males reported more money spent on gambling and were significantly more likely to be at risk of problem gambling. Gambling and problem gambling were significantly more common in less-educated individuals, those who had higher income or those who had a paid job. Individuals who reported gambling were more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink more than a glass of alcohol per day, use illicit drugs, or exhibit high levels of externalising behaviour than non-gamblers. Conclusions: The findings confirm the high prevalence of gambling and gambling expenditure in young adults. Individuals who are involved in gambling are more likely to report cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of illicit drugs. There is a need for further research to explore the mechanisms of association between gambling behaviour and individuals' mental health and substance use. Implications: Substance abuse and mental health services are recommended to consider co-morbid gambling problems in treatment-seeking patients.

Horsley RR; Osborne M; Norman C; Wells T. High-frequency gamblers show increased resistance to extinction following partial reinforcement. Behavioural Brain Research 229(2): 438-442, 2012. (56 refs.)

Behaviours that have been rewarded intermittently persist for longer during periods of non-reward than behaviours that have been rewarded continuously. This classic phenomenon is known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect. For decades it has been generally understood that this phenomenon is fundamental to the persistence of gambling in the absence of winning. One obvious, yet untested hypothesis arising from this is that persistent (here, high-frequency) gamblers might be more sensitive to partial reinforcement contingencies. Therefore, our aim was to test the hypothesis that compared to low-frequency gamblers, high-frequencygamblers would show greater resistance to extinction following partial reinforcement in a computer based experiment. Participants were 19 high-frequency gamblers and 21 low-frequency gamblers, all healthy non-smokers aged between 18 and 52. Following partial or continuous reinforcement, persistence of responding in extinction was measured as the number of times a target response was made. After partial reinforcement, high-frequency gamblers made the target response a greater number of times in extinction (compared to low-frequency gamblers). Moreover, the partial reinforcement extinction effect was larger in high-frequency gamblers than in low-frequency gamblers. It remains to be seen whether increased sensitivity to partial reinforcement is a cause or effect of persistent gambling. Nevertheless, the present study represents an important first step in investigating the role of simple partial reinforcement contingencies in determining resistance to extinction in gamblers, the importance of which, whilst hitherto recognised, has never been demonstrated experimentally.

Horton R. Offline: Homo conspiratus and the lessons of gambling. (editorial). Lancet 379(9819): 879-879, 2012. (0 refs.)

Hu XX; Xie XF. Validation of the domain-specific risk-taking scale in Chinese college students. Judgment and Decision Making 7(2): 181-188, 2012. (25 refs.)

Using college student samples, two studies were conducted to validate the Chinese version of the Domain-Specific Risk-Taking (DOSPERT) Scale. The results replicated important findings reported by Weber et al. (2002) in the Chinese culture. Risk-taking and risk perception were domain-specific, whereas perceived-risk attitudes were relatively stable across domains, supporting the risk-return model of risk taking. Results of both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the ethical, recreational, health/safety, and gambling domains were preserved in the Chinese version of DOSPERT and that the items from social and investment domains formed one factor. This result may be explained by Weber and Hsee's (1998) cushion hypothesis. Other possible reasons for this cross-cultural difference in the factor structure were also discussed.

Jardin BF; Wulfert E. The use of messages in altering risky gambling behavior in experienced gamblers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 26(1): 166-170, 2012. (23 refs.)

The present study was an experimental analogue that examined the relationship between gambling-related irrational beliefs and risky gambling behavior. Eighty high-frequency gamblers were randomly assigned to four conditions and played a chance-based computer game in a laboratory setting. Depending on the condition, during the game a pop-up screen repeatedly displayed either accurate or inaccurate messages concerning the game, neutral messages, or no messages. Consistent with a cognitive behavioral model of gambling, accurate messages that correctly described the random contingencies governing the game decreased risky gambling behavior. Contrary to predictions, inaccurate messages designed to mimic gamblers' irrational beliefs about their abilities to influence chance events did not lead to more risky gambling behavior than exposure to neutral or no messages. Participants in the latter three conditions did not differ significantly from one another and all showed riskier gambling behavior than participants in the accurate message condition. The results suggest that harm minimization strategies that help individuals maintain a rational perspective while gambling may protect them from unreasonable risk-taking.

Jimenez-Murcia S; Aymami N; Gomez-Pena M; Santamaria JJ; Alvarez-Moya E; Fernandez-Aranda F et al. Does exposure and response prevention improve the results of group cognitive-behavioural therapy for male slot machine pathological gamblers? British Journal of Clinical Psychology 51(Part 1): 54-71, 2012. (76 refs.)

Introduction. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) seems to offer effective treatment for pathological gambling (PG). However, it has not yet been established which techniques yield the best results, or whether exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques are of additional use. Objectives. To evaluate clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of a PG sample at baseline, comparing cognitive-behavioural group intervention, with and without exposure, with response prevention (CBT + ERP vs. CBT), to compare the results of therapy and to assess pre-post changes in psychopathology between both groups. Design. We applied a quasi-experimental design comprising intervention on the independent variable, but without random assignment. Methods. The sample comprised 502 males with PG, consecutively admitted to a specialist unit, who received standardized outpatient CBT group therapy in 16 weekly sessions. Scores on the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), and other clinical and psychopathological scales were recorded. Results. Pre-post changes did not differ between groups, except for SCL paranoid ideation, being greater in the CBT therapy group. The risk of relapse during treatment was similar in the CBT + ERP and CBT patients. However, compliance with treatment was poorer in the CBT + ERP group, who presented higher drop- out rates during treatment. Drop- out during therapy was associated with shorter disorder duration and higher scores on the TCI- R novelty seeking scale. Conclusions. Although the two CBT programs elicited similar therapy responses, patients receiving CBT alone showed higher adherence to therapy and lower drop- out rates.

Khazaal Y; Chatton A; Zullino D; Khan R. HON Label and DISCERN as content quality indicators of health-related websites. Psychiatric Quarterly 83(1): 15-27, 2012. (32 refs.)

Content quality indicators are warranted in order to help patients and consumers to judge the content quality of health-related on-line information. The aim of the present study is to evaluate web-based information on health topics and to assess particular content quality indicators like HON (Health on the Net) and DISCERN. The present study is based on the analysis of data issued from six previous studies which assessed with a standardized tool the general and content quality (evidence-based health information) of health-related websites. Keywords related to Social phobia, bipolar disorders, pathological gambling as well as cannabis, alcohol and cocaine addiction were entered into popular World Wide Web search engines. Websites were assessed with a standardized proforma designed to rate sites on the basis of accountability, presentation, interactivity, readability and content quality (evidence-based information). "Health on the Net" (HON) quality label, and DISCERN scale scores were used to verify their efficiency as quality indicators. Of 874 websites identified, 388 were included. Despite an observed association with higher content quality scores, the HON label fails to predict good content quality websites when used in a multiple regression. Sensibility and specificity of a DISCERN score > 40 in the detection of good content quality websites were, respectively, 0.45 and 0.96. The DISCERN is a potential quality indicator with a relatively high specificity. Further developments in this domain are warranted in order to facilitate the identification of high-quality information on the web by patients.

Kun B; Balazs H; Arnold P; Paksi B; Demetrovics Z. Gambling in Western and Eastern Europe: The example of Hungary. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 27-46, 2012. (72 refs.)

The history of gambling in post-socialist countries is noticeably different from that of other countries in Europe. The goal of this study was therefore twofold: Firstly, to systematically review all European epidemiological studies related to excessive gambling in the general adult population, and secondly, to provide an overview of the state of gambling in Hungary based on the first ever nationwide representative survey, setting the results against the backdrop of the earlier European studies. A systematic review was carried out of European gambling studies which focus on a representative adult general population. Hungarian data was obtained from the National Survey on Addiction Problems in Hungary general adult population survey (N = 2, 710). Pathological gambling was measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Lifetime prevalence of excessive gambling (problem and pathological gambling) in the general adult population of European countries varies between 1.1% (Italy and Spain) and 6.5% (Estonia). In Hungary, the prevalence of problem gambling is 1.9%, with pathological gambling at 1.4%. The socio-demographic characteristics of the results are similar to those of other European countries. Using epidemiological data from the general adult populations of two post-socialist nations, it was possible to compare the results with data from 12 other European countries. Based on the data available, the extremely rapid liberation of the gambling market in the post-socialist countries has led to a similarly swift escalation in associated gambling problems.

Kurucz G; Kormendi A. Can we perceive near miss? An empirical study. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 105-111, 2012. (16 refs.)

Near misses are a special kind of reinforcement which increases one's desire to play. The aim of this paper is to examine the perception of near misses in normal population. We used a slot machine simulation running on a PC, where participants had to play four rounds with different near miss ratios (0, 15, 30 and 45%). Our sample consisted of 159 individuals with mean age of 22.8 and with no or little gambling experience. For data analysis we used chi-squared goodness-of-fit test and exact binomial test. Despite the fact, that there was a notable effect of near misses results showed that the subjects could not perceive trials of them.

LaBrie RA; Peller AJ; LaPlante DA; Bernhard B; Harper A; Schrier T et al. A brief self-help toolkit intervention for gambling problems: A randomized multisite trial. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 82(2): 278-289, 2012. (50 refs.)

Two studies conducted in Massachusetts and Nevada evaluated the efficacy of a self-help toolkit for problem gambling. Individuals concerned about gambling-related problems, in response to public notices and newspaper advertisements, volunteered for a randomized trial of the self-help toolkit, Your First Step to Change: Gambling. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) a printed toolkit, (b) the toolkit and a brief guide to the toolkits content, or (c) assignment to a wait-list condition. Participants, 145 in Massachusetts and 170 in Nevada, reported their gambling behavior, beliefs and attitudes about chance, and recent and planned help seeking at baseline, 88% at 1 month later, and 79% at 3 months later. Findings for the complete and intent-to-treat analyses at both sites indicated that participants significantly improved. At the end of the study period, significantly more toolkit recipients than control group participants reported recently abstaining from gambling. Minimally invasive, self-directed resources like this self-help toolkit can assist remediating gambling-related problems among gamblers who do not engage in formal treatment.

Ledgerwood DM; Orr ES; Kaploun KA; Milosevic A; Frisch GR; Rupcich N et al. Executive function in pathological gamblers and healthy controls. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 89-103, 2012. (35 refs.)

Executive function (EF) deficits may underlie some of the impulse control problems seen in pathological gambling. Pathological gamblers (PGs, n = 45) and controls (n = 45) were compared on several measures of EF (including measures of response inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility and perseveration, planning and decision-making), as well as memory and intelligence tests to examine whether PGs evidence EF dysfunction. Compared with controls, PGs exhibited specific deficits on measures of planning and decision-making. PGs also exhibited relative deficits on a measure of perseveration, but this deficit was no longer significant after controlling for group differences in intelligence. These results suggest that PGs may experience deficits on specific components of EF.

Ledgerwood DM; Wiedemann AA; Moore J; Arfken CL. Clinical characteristics and treatment readiness of male and female problem gamblers calling a state gambling helpline. Addiction Research & Theory 20(2): 162-171, 2012. (34 refs.)

Helplines for problem gamblers play a critical role in a systems approach but more information is needed on the people who call. Men and women problem gamblers differ in the consequences of their gambling, and these differences likely affect motivation to change gambling behaviors. This study examined gender differences in gambling consequences and readiness to change gambling behaviors among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline. In total, 202 callers (n = 118 women; n = 84 men) were interviewed by telephone and asked questions about their gambling severity, psychosocial consequences of gambling, experience with the help they received from the helpline, and treatment readiness as assessed using the Stages of Change model. Women reported significantly greater problem gambling severity and financial consequences than men. They were more likely to have a family history of alcoholism, more likely to have sought mental health and gambling treatment than men. Women also reported greater readiness for changing gambling behaviors, and this gender difference was mediated, in part, by problem gambling symptom severity. These data reveal some consistent and important differences between male and female problem gamblers that should be considered when developing helpline services.

Leeman RF; Potenza MN. Similarities and differences between pathological gambling and substance use disorders: A focus on impulsivity and compulsivity. (review). Psychopharmacology 219(2, special issue): 469-490, 2012. (231 refs.)

Pathological gambling (PG) has recently been considered as a "behavioral" or nonsubstance addiction. A comparison of the characteristics of PG and substance use disorders (SUDs) has clinical ramifications and could help advance future research on these conditions. Specific relationships with impulsivity and compulsivity may be central to understanding PG and SUDs. This review was conducted to compare and contrast research findings in PG and SUDs pertaining to neurocognitive tasks, brain function, and neurochemistry, with a focus on impulsivity and compulsivity. Multiple similarities were found between PG and SUDs, including poor performance on neurocognitive tasks, specifically with respect to impulsive choice and response tendencies and compulsive features (e.g., response perseveration and action with diminished relationship to goals or reward). Findings suggest dysfunction involving similar brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and striatum and similar neurotransmitter systems, including dopaminergic and serotonergic. Unique features exist which may in part reflect influences of acute or chronic exposures to specific substances. Both similarities and differences exist between PG and SUDs. Understanding these similarities more precisely may facilitate treatment development across addictions, whereas understanding differences may provide insight into treatment development for specific disorders. Individual differences in features of impulsivity and compulsivity may represent important endophenotypic targets for prevention and treatment strategies.

Li H; Mao LL; Zhang JJ; Wu Y; Li AM; Chen J. Dimensions of problem gambling behavior associated with purchasing sports lottery. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 47-68, 2012. (98 refs.)

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the dimensions of problem gambling behaviors associated with purchasing sports lottery in China. This was accomplished through the development and validation of the Scale of Assessing Problem Gambling (SAPG). The SAPG was initially developed through a comprehensive qualitative research process. Research participants (N = 4, 982) were Chinese residents who had purchased sports lottery tickets, who responded to a survey packet, representing a response rate of 91.4%. Data were split into two halves, one for conducting an EFA and the other for a CFA. A five-factor model with 19 items (Social Consequence, Financial Consequence, Harmful Behavior, Compulsive Disorder, and Depression Sign) showed good measurement properties to assess problem gambling of sports lottery consumers in China, including good fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.050, TLI = 0.978, and CFI = 0.922), convergent and discriminate validity, and reliability. Regression analyses revealed that except for Depression Sign, the SAPG factors were significantly (P < 0.05) predictive of purchase behaviors of sports lottery. This study represents an initial effort to understand the dimensions of problem gambling associated with Chinese sports lottery. The developed scale may be adopted by researchers and practitioners to examine problem gambling behaviors and develop effective prevention and intervention procedures based on tangible evidence.

Lin CH; Hung HH; Li YH. How confidence and uncertainty affect consumers' enjoyment of gambling. Social Behavior and Personality 40(3): 425-432, 2012. (20 refs.)

In this research we explored the moderators that affect enjoyment when consumers gamble on predictions. We provide evidence that consumers who make predictions with great confidence will have more enjoyment and will increase the amount of their bet in a situation of high uncertainty. The findings have implications for marketing managers in that marketers may be able to create a controllable, yet risky, environment for consumers to increase their enjoyment. The results can also be applied by gambling companies to strategically enhance consumers' confidence and further encourage them to increase betting amounts. This research reinforces existing theories that levels of confidence and uncertainty can influence willingness to bet.

Linnet J; Froslev M; Ramsgaard S; Gebauer L; Mouridsen K; Wohlert V. Impaired probability estimation and decision-making in pathological gambling poker players. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 113-122, 2012. (29 refs.)

Poker has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, increasing the risk for some individuals to develop pathological gambling. Here, we investigated cognitive biases in a computerized two-player poker task against a fictive opponent, among 12 pathological gambling poker players (PGP), 10 experienced poker players (ExP), and 11 inexperienced poker players (InP). Players were compared on probability estimation and decision-making with the hypothesis that ExP would have significantly lower cognitive biases than PGP and InP, and that the groups could be differentiated based on their cognitive bias styles. The results showed that ExP had a significantly lower average error margin in probability estimation than PGP and InP, and that PGP played hands with lower winning probability than ExP. Binomial logistic regression showed perfect differentiation (100%) between ExP and PGP, and 90.5% classification accuracy between ExP and InP. Multinomial logistic regression showed an overall classification accuracy of 23 out of 33 (69.7%) between the three groups. The classification accuracy of ExP was higher than that of PGP and InP due to the similarities in probability estimation and decision-making between PGP and InP. These impairments in probability estimation and decision-making of PGP may have implications for assessment and treatment of cognitive biases in pathological gambling poker players.

Livingstone C. Gambling harms can be reduced: Public health meets politics. (editorial). Health Promotion Journal of Australia 23(1): 3-3, 2012. (8 refs.)

MacLaren VV; Fugelsang JA; Harrigan KA; Dixon MJ. Effects of impulsivity, reinforcement sensitivity, and cognitive style on pathological gambling symptoms among frequent slot machine players. Personality and Individual Differences 52(3): 390-394, 2012. (53 refs.)

Pathological Gambling (PG) is the inability to resist recurrent urges to gamble excessively despite harmful consequences to the gambler or others. A cognitive-behavioral Pathways Model of PG (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002) suggests individual differences in rash impulsivity and reward sensitivity, together with a cognitive style that promotes poor decision making, as risk factors. These individual differences were examined in a community sample of experienced slot machine players (N = 100), who were classified into Low, Moderate, and Problem gambling groups according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001). There were significant group differences on rash impulsivity as measured by the Eysenck Impulsivity scale, and on reward sensitivity as measured by the BIS/BAS Drive scale. For cognitive style, there were differences on Actively Openminded Thinking (AOT), but not the Rational Experiential Inventory. Hierarchical regression analyses found that impulsivity and AOT predicted severity of PG, but that AOT mediated the effect of BAS Drive. A thinking style that promotes erroneous cognition may correlate with PG, but individual differences in rash impulsivity and reward-seeking play a more critical role in the etiology of PG. The individual characteristics of Pathological Gamblers are similar to those of people with substance use disorders.

McEvoy A; Spirgen N. Gambling among prison inmates: Patterns and implications. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 69-76, 2012. (11 refs.)

There is an absence of research on gambling among prison inmates during their incarceration. Little is known about how prisoners organize gambling activities or the potential risks they face from gambling. Similarly, no empirical attention has been given to how correctional institutions respond to inmate gambling. This study employed interviews with 55 male prisoners and self-administered surveys with 159 correctional officers and staff, at two medium security prisons in Ohio. Data were gathered on prevalence and patterns of inmate gambling, perceived hazards of gambling, and perceived institutional responses to prisoner gambling. Findings suggest that inmate gambling is common and constitutes an important feature of the underground economy of prisons, yet little is done to deter or prevent this activity. Suggestions are made for more effective institutional responses.

McGrath DS; Barrett SP; Stewart SH; Schmid EA. The effects of acute doses of nicotine on video lottery terminal gambling in daily smokers. Psychopharmacology 220(1): 155-161, 2012. (46 refs.)

Rationale A growing body of evidence suggests that gambling frequently co-occurs with smoking, yet little is known about the degree to which nicotine and/or tobacco use influences gambling behavior. Nonetheless, an increasing number of studies suggest that acute administration of nicotine may alter other reinforcing behaviors in both animal and human models, raising the possibility that nicotine may also influence gambling behavior and craving. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of nicotine on subjective and behavioral gambling responses. Methods: Twenty-eight (15 male) regular gamblers who smoke daily completed two double-blind laboratory sessions where their subjective and behavioral responses to video lottery terminal (VLT) gambling were assessed, following the administration of nicotine inhalers (NI; 4 mg deliverable) or placebo inhalers. Results: NI significantly decreased tobacco-related cravings (p<0.05) but did not affect gambling-related cravings, VLT betting patterns, or subjective responses (ps>0.1). Conclusions: NI were found to acutely suppress tobacco-related cravings without influencing gambling. These results suggest that use of nicotine replacement therapies may be a safe option for gamblers who are attempting to quit smoking.

Parhami I; Siani A; Rosenthal RJ; Lin S; Collard M; Fong TW. Sleep And gambling severity in a community sample of gamblers. Journal of Addictive Diseases 31(1): 67-79, 2012. (99 refs.)

Although sleep has been extensively studied in substance related disorders, it has yet to be examined as thoroughly in gambling-related disorders. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between gambling severity and sleep disturbances in a sample of non-treatment seeking gamblers (N = 96) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Mean ESS scores for recreational, problem, and pathological gamblers were 4.13, 5.81, and 8.69, respectively, with a significant difference between pathological gamblers and both problem (P = .007) and recreational gamblers (P < .001). Mean PSQI scores for recreational, problem, and pathological gamblers were 3.35, 5.30, and 5.44, respectively, with a significant difference in sleep quality between recreational and problem gamblers (P = .018), as well as recreational and pathological gamblers (P = .008). As the first study to use objective sleep measures, these findings will not only increase awareness of this relationship, but also provide a foundation on which others can investigate the benefits of screening and adjunct treatment for sleep disorders in the gambling population.

Petry NM. Discounting of probabilistic rewards is associated with gambling abstinence in treatment-seeking pathological gamblers. Journal of Abnormal Psychology 121(1): 151-159, 2012. (46 refs.)

Individuals with addictive disorders, including substance abusers and pathological gamblers, discount or devalue rewards delayed in time more than controls. Theoretically, preference for probabilistic rewards is directly related to gambling, but limited empirical research has examined probabilistic discounting in individuals with pathological gambling. This study evaluated probability and delay discounting in treatment-seeking pathological gamblers and their association with gambling treatment outcomes during and after treatment. At time of treatment entry, 226 pathological gamblers completed probability and delay discounting tasks. They were then randomized to one of three treatment conditions, and gambling behavior was measured throughout treatment and at a 1-year follow-up assessment. After controlling for possibly confounding variables and treatment condition, more shallow probability discounting was associated with greater reductions in amounts wagered during treatment and likelihood of gambling abstinence at the end of treatment and throughout the follow-up period. No associations were noted between delay discounting and gambling treatment outcomes. These data suggest that probability discounting may be an important construct in understanding pathological gambling and its treatment.

Rantala V; Sulkunen P. Is pathological gambling just a big problem or also an addiction? Addiction Research & Theory 20(1): 1-10, 2012. (58 refs.)

There is no research-based consensus on whether pathological gambling is also an addiction and not just a problem, and how it could be related to cultural factors. We present a critical review of dominant theories of addiction and propose our own theory based on the concept of images and the theory of agency. We show, using material from a Finnish internet discussion forum comprising 42 discussions with 487 messages, that the criteria proposed for Disordered Gambling in DSM-V correspond to the writers' experiences with the exception of tolerance and craving. The most important experience of agency in gambling is a sense of skill. This may be related to competitive values in contemporary society. In the addicted state, the loss of that sense of agency is painful. As with substance-based addictions, it is experienced as the loss of pleasure and joy from the activity.

Shead NW; Derevensky JL; Fong TW; Gupta R. Characteristics of internet gamblers among a sample of students at a large, public university in southwestern United States. Journal of College Student Development 53(1): 133-148, 2012. (38 refs.)

There is a current lack of descriptive information on college students who gamble on the Internet. With the increasing popularity of Internet gambling, this study aimed to better understand the profile of Internet gamblers among a sample of college students. of 909 students at the University of California Los Angeles who completed an online survey, 8.1% reported gambling for money on the Internet at least once in their lifetime and 5.7% reported Internet gambling within the past year Approximately one third of Internet gamblers were identified as either at-risk or probable pathological gamblers. Males were much more likely to gamble on the Internet compared to females. Those who gambled on the Internet gambled more frequently and were more likely to report indicators of potentially harmful lifestyles (e.g., drinking alcohol, smoking, using marijuana, using illicit drugs, and unhealthy body mass indices) compared to non-Internet gamblers and nongamblers. Poker, the predominant gambling activity, is discussed in terms of its role as the driving force behind Internet wagering among college students.

Shenassa ED; Paradis AD; Dolan SL; Wilhelm CS; Buka SL. Childhood impulsive behavior and problem gambling by adulthood: A 30-year prospective community-based study. Addiction 107(1): 160-168, 2012. (49 refs.)

Aims: Problem gambling can create major financial, emotional and sometimes criminal problems for an individual. This study prospectively investigated the association between impulsive behavior at age 7 and the development of life-time problem gambling by adulthood. We also examined the specificity of any observed association between impulsive behaviors and problem gambling by conducting parallel analyses examining the link between respondents' shy/depressed behavior in childhood and later problem gambling. Design, setting and participants: Cohort study of 958 offspring of mothers enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project who participated in an adult follow-up study at a mean age of 39.2 years. Measurements: Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to determine associations between psychologist-rated impulsive and shy/depressed behaviors at age 7 and life-time self-reported gambling as measured by the South Oaks Gambling Screen administered during the adult follow-up study. Findings: Children who exhibited impulsive behaviors at age 7, compared to their non-impulsive counterparts, were 3.09 (95% confidence interval: 1.40-6.82) times as likely to report problem gambling years later. In contrast, we did not find a significant association between childhood shy/depressed behavior and problem gambling by adulthood in adjusted analyses. Conclusions: Impulsive behaviors at age 7 are a specific and significant risk factor for later problem gambling.

Suurvali H; Hodgins DC; Toneatto T; Cunningham JA. Hesitation to seek gambling-related treatment among ontario problem gamblers. Journal of Addiction Medicine 6(1): 39-49, 2012. (30 refs.)

Objectives: This study aimed to examine barriers in seeking help for gambling problems. Methods: A random digit dialing telephone survey was conducted among adults in Ontario, Canada. Respondents meeting criteria for possible past year gambling problems were asked an open-ended question on why they might hesitate once they had decided to seek help. Results: Of 556 eligible respondents, 47% asserted they would not hesitate to seek help. The most frequently identified possible reasons for hesitation were shame, difficulty acknowledging the problem, and treatment-related issues. Younger gamblers and those with higher problem severity, self-perception of a gambling problem, and past treatment experience were more likely to volunteer shame and treatment-related issues. Gamblers with lower problem severity, no self-perception of a gambling problem, and no history of help seeking more frequently said they would not hesitate to seek help. However, among problem/pathological gamblers, 49% did not self-perceive even a moderate gambling problem; they were more likely than self-perceived problem gamblers in this high severity group to predict no hesitation. Conclusions: In addition to revealing perceived and objective factors that impede help seeking for gambling problems, the identification of possible barriers may indicate, among some disordered gamblers, awareness of gambling problems and consideration given to possible actions. Both tackling barriers and enhancing problem awareness are necessary components of strategies to provide accessible and timely assistance to those with gambling problems.

Tang CSK; Wu AMS. Gambling-related cognitive biases and pathological gambling among youths, young adults, and mature adults in Chinese societies. Journal of Gambling Studies 28(1): 139-154, 2012. (53 refs.)

This study investigated the extent to which gambling-related cognitive biases would associate with various levels of gambling pathology among 2, 835 youths, 934 young adults, and 162 mature adults in Chinese societies. Results showed that gambling cognitive biases, especially biases in perceived inability to stop gambling and positive gambling expectancy, were salient correlates of pathological gambling across the three age cohorts. Analyses of variances on total cognitive biases also showed a gambling pathology main effect and an age cohort x gambling pathology 2-way interaction effect. It was noted that the probable pathological gambling group had greater cognitive biases than the probable problem gambling group, which in turn had greater cognitive biases than the non-problem gambling group. In the non-problem gambling group, mature adults had greater cognitive biases than youths and young adults, but this pattern was reversed in the probable problem gambling group. In the probable pathological gambling group, youths had greater cognitive biases than young and mature adults. Specific categories of cognitive biases also varied according to gender and gambling pathology. While men as compared to women in the non-problem and probable problem gambling groups reported a greater bias in their perceived inability to stop gambling, no significant gender difference in this bias was found in the probable pathological gambling group. Men generally had greater perceived gambling expectancy bias than women.

Thomas S; Lewis S; Duong J; McLeod C. Sports betting marketing during sporting events: A stadium and broadcast census of Australian Football League matches. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 36(2): 145-152, 2012. (55 refs.)

Objective: Using Australian Football League (AFL) matches as a case study, we investigated the frequency, length and content of marketing strategies for sports betting during two specific settings: 1) at stadiums during four live matches; and 2) during eight televised broadcasts of matches. Methods: Census of sports betting marketing during Round 12 of the 2011 AFL premiership season. Results: Per match, there was an average of 58.5 episodes (median 49.5, s.d 27.8) and 341.1 minutes (median 324.1 minutes and s.d 44.5) of sports betting marketing at stadiums, and 50.5 episodes (median 53.5, s.d 45.2) and 4.8 minutes (median 5.0 minutes, s.d 4.0) during televised broadcasts. A diverse range of marketing techniques were used to: a) embed sports betting within the game; b) align sports betting with fans' overall experience of the game; and c) encourage individuals to bet live during the game. There were very few visible or audible messages (such as responsible gambling or Gambler's Help messages) to counter-frame the overwhelmingly positive messages that individuals received about sports betting during the match. Conclusions and Implications: This study raises important questions about the impacts of saturation, integrated and impulse gambling marketing strategies in sporting matches. Future research should explore: 1) how wagering industry marketing strategies may affect the attitudes and behaviours of community sub-groups (e. g. young male sports fans, and children); and 2) which public health and policy strategies, including regulation and harm minimisation messaging, will be effective in responding to wagering industry marketing strategies during sporting matches.

Valentine G; Hughes K. Shared space, distant lives? Understanding family and intimacy at home through the lens of internet gambling. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 37(2): 242-255, 2012. (42 refs.)

This paper explores how space helps us to understand the ways that people relate to each other and manage the boundary between the personal and the social/familial by using original empirical material from a study of problem internet gamblers and their families. Here, we conceptualise intimacy in terms of the interiority of family life, and as experienced particularly, though not exclusively, through the affective space of the home. The disclosure of an individuals previously hidden problem gambling provides an important lens through which to understand the concepts of personal relationships, family and intimacy because it provides a rupture in normal taken-for-granted domestic life in which individual family members are forced to reflect on: their relationships with the problem gambler and he/she with the family from whom they have concealed their gambling; the extent of their intimacy and togetherness (in terms of both space and time) in the light of the exposure of the gamblers secrecy and lies; the degree of their responsibilities for, and emotional commitments to, each other; and how they might develop new ways of relating to each other in, and beyond, the home.

Versini A; LeGauffre C; Romo L; Ades J; Gorwood P. Frequency of gambling problems among parents of pathological, versus nonpathological, casino gamblers using slot machines. American Journal on Addictions 21(1): 86-95, 2012. (41 refs.)

Familial and twin studies suggest the implication of a genetic factor in pathological gambling, but mainly assess probands through treatment settings or advertisements. The question raised here is: are parents of casino pathological gamblers using slot machines more affected with pathological gambling than nonpathological gamblers, all interviewed on site at the same casino? Three hundred and fifty-five casino gamblers on slot machines, which included 96 pathological gamblers, 116 problem gamblers, and 143 nonproblem gamblers, were recruited in situ at the largest casino in the Paris suburbs. We evaluated pathological gambling and two addictive disorders (alcohol dependence and tobacco consumption) in the gamblers and their 690 parents (through the proband). Familial aggregation of pathological gambling was confirmed, with a risk of 3.3 for being a pathological gambler when at least one of the parents has problematic gambling. No familial co-aggregation of pathological gambling with alcohol or tobacco dependence was observed. Pathological gambling is found in excess in the parents of pathological casino gamblers, in accordance with previous aggregation studies devoted to other types of gambling, and with studies recruiting gamblers in different settings.

Walker SE; Abbott MW; Gray RJ. Knowledge, views and experiences of gambling and gambling-related harms in different ethnic and socio-economic groups in New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 36(2): 153-159, 2012. (17 refs.)

Objective: To describe survey findings which measure broader gambling harms and provide benchmark data to evaluate an awareness and education program to minimise harm; part of NZ's public health approach to problem gambling. To assess whether previously reported ethnic and socio-economic disparities are evident when researching broader gambling harms. Methods: An in-home, nationwide survey captured data from a multi-stage, random probability sample of 1,774 adults and 199 15-17-year-olds. Oversampling Maori (NZ's indigenous people), Pacific and Asian peoples, and people in areas of deprivation, allowed analysis by ethnicity and socio-economic status. Results: Data show high participation levels; around 8 out of 10 people took part in at least one gambling activity in the previous 12 months. Type and frequency of activities was used to define four groups: infrequent gamblers (60.9%); frequent, non-continuous gamblers (17.6%); frequent, continuous gamblers (4%); and non-gamblers (17.5%). Self-reported knowledge of the signs of gambling harm was high. Arguments about gambling and people going without/unpaid bills provided two indicators of broader gambling harm. Around one-sixth of New Zealanders experienced each of these harms. Impacts were greatest for low-income groups, Maori, and Pacific peoples. Conclusions: The proportion of New Zealander's experiencing broader gambling harms is much higher than the prevalence for problem gambling. Consistent with other research, results show the flow-on impacts of problem gambling - on family, friends and communities. Implications: Measures can be developed to benchmark the wider harms of gambling and evaluate public health programs addressing harm at population and sub-population levels.

Wong IA; Rosenbaum MS. Beyond hardcore gambling: Understanding why mainland Chinese visit casinos in Macau. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research 36(1): 32-51, 2012. (64 refs.)

Casinos are important travel attractions, but they are often overshadowed by hardcore gambling behaviors. Although gambling has been found as a key tourism driver, it is unclear how casinos, as hospitality service providers, are able to fulfill other travel needs. This article highlights an emerging but under studied phenomenon in tourism and hospitality research: casino tourism. Based on empirical data collected in the world gaming capital, Macau, the results reveal that tourists' casino excursions are primarily motivated by five factors: entertainment and novelty seeking, leisure activity, escape from pressure, casino sightseeing, and socialization. The findings suggest that although gambling is part of the casino experience tourists seek, mainland Chinese tourists are looking for assorted travel and leisure experiences. These experiences can further be classified into two segments: entertainment-for-socialization seekers and sightseeing-for-relaxation seekers. Demographic differences in addition to two- and three-way interactions of the motivational factors are also discussed.

York NL; Pritsos CA; Gutierrez AP. Legislators' beliefs on tobacco control policies in Nevada. Journal of Community Health 37(1): 89-95, 2012. (39 refs.)

The purpose of this study was to identify Nevada legislators' views on comprehensive smoke-free (SF) policy development. The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) is a weak law that prohibits smoking in most indoor public places, excluding stand-alone bars and casino gaming areas. Nevada's state senators and assembly members were contacted to participate in the study. A literature review guided modifications of an instrument previously used to measure county-level officials' policy views in Kentucky. Descriptive statistics were conducted for selected variables, while independent t tests and one-way analysis of variance were used to examine differences between various groups. 23 of 63 legislators participated. Even though the majority of officials recognized smoking as a health hazard and nicotine as addictive, there was not overwhelming support for strengthening the NCIAA, raising cigarette excise taxes or providing cessation benefits to citizens. Officials believed that the NCIAA was having a negative economic impact on smaller gaming businesses, but not on the casino industry. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to agree that raising the excise tax by $1 is important for needed state revenues. 63% of legislators believed that they would be persuaded to strengthen the NCIAA regardless of its financial impact on small businesses, if their constituents supported such a move. No other state relies on gaming revenues as much as Nevada. Given that legislators are strongly influenced by their constituents' views, policy advocates need to establish grassroots support for strengthening the current NCIAA and also tobacco control laws in general.