A mixed methods analysis of gambling harm for women in New Zealand [Ministry of Health report]

Gendered roles and unrealistic expectations contribute to gambling related harm for women.

A new Ministry of Health funded report reveals that gambling venues often provide convenient and safe spaces, and relief from family responsibilities, for women with a lack of social support.

The report on gambling related harm for women in New Zealand, released today, highlights a gap in social services and safe recreational alternatives to gambling for women in their local communities.
Dr Katie Palmer du Preez, Senior Research Fellow at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), says gender issues and ideology influence gambling behaviour and harm.
“Women’s socio-cultural positioning as primary caregivers contributes to gambling harm by placing unrealistic expectations on them, while simultaneously constraining their ability to prioritise their own wellbeing. Gambling venues in local communities offer some women respite, distraction, comfort and connection or time-out, but also place them at heightened risk of gambling problems and harm,” she says.
Of particular concern was the finding that women’s gambling in community settings may be normalised or seen as a less harmful way of coping with family stress and distress than alcohol or smoking.
The report recommends that gambling services should position themselves to identify and advocate specifically for the needs of women.. Link to the report
Citation: Palmer du Preez, K., Mauchline, L., Paavonen, A., Thurlow, R., Garrett, N., Bellringer, M.E., Landon, J., & Abbott, M. (2019). A mixed methods analysis of gambling harm for women in New Zealand. Auckland: Auckland University of Technology, Gambling and Addictions Research Centre.

Financial literacy and gambling behavior: Evidence from Japan [open access article]

Abstract
According to a survey by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in 2017, 3.6% of Japanese adults—equivalent to about 3.2 million people—have suffered from problem gambling at some point in their lifetime. This study examines the relationship between financial literacy, financial education, and gambling behavior (measured as gambling frequency) among the Japanese population. We hypothesize that financially literate and financially educated people who use their knowledge to make sound financial decisions are less likely to gamble. The data used in this study are from a nationwide survey in Japan from the Preference Parameters Study of Osaka University in 2010 (n=3687). To control for endogeneity bias between financial literacy and gambling behavior, we use the education of respondents’ fathers as an instrumental variable. The results from the probit-instrumental variable model show that financial literacy has a significantly negative relationship with gambling frequency, while financial education has no  significant relationship with gambling frequency. Our findings suggest that problem gambling may be mitigated by promoting financial literacy, but no such conclusion can be drawn for financial education. Link to the article

Citation: Watanapongvanich, S., Binnagan, P., Putthinun, P., Khan, M.S.R., & Kadoya, Y. (2020). Financial literacy and gambling behavior: Evidence from Japan. Hiroshima: Hiroshima University, Department of Economics.

Frequency of engagement with legal UK youth gambling products is associated with adult disordered gambling [open access article]

Abstract:
The potential effects of exposing children aged under 18 to gambling is an area of concern for researchers and policy-makers around the world. The UK is rare in that it allows for a number of gambling products to be legally used by people under the age of 18. The present research is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 1,052 adult UK gamblers, aged 18 – 40. Five legal youth gambling products were considered: Category D fruit machines, the National Lottery, National Lottery scratchcards, coin push machines, and crane grab machines. Recalled rates of legal youth engagement were high, ranging from 53.7% for Category D fruit machines to 93.4% for coin push machines. Across each product, merely having used a legal youth gambling product in the past was not associated with adult disordered gambling, except for scratchcards. However, higher levels of recollected legal youth engagement with each of the five products was robustly associated with adult disordered gambling. These results are relevant to recent government proposals to increase the legal age on National Lottery scratchcards to 18, and are consistent with previous results on early exposure to gambling and subsequent gambling-related harm. Link to the article

Citation: Newall, P.W.S., Russell, A.M.T., Sharman, S., Walasek, L. (2020). Frequency of engagement with legal UK youth gambling products is associated with adult disordered gambling. Melbourne: Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity

A literature review and gap analysis of emerging technologies and new trends in gambling (open-access article)

Abstract: There have been significant changes in the gambling landscape particularly relating to gambling in the digital age. As the gambling landscape changes, regulation of gambling also needs to change. In 2018, the Office of Responsible Gambling in New South Wales, Australia, commissioned a gap analysis to inform their research objectives and priority focus areas. This included an identification of gaps in our understanding of emerging technologies and new trends in gambling. A gap analysis of the peer-reviewed literature published since 2015 was undertaken, identifying 116 articles. The main area of focus was Internet gambling, followed by articles exploring the relationship between video gaming and gambling, the expansion of the sports betting market, Electronic Gambling Machines characteristics and articles exploring new technologies and trends in advertising and inducements. Key gaps related to the need for more research in general, as well as research focusing on subpopulations such as those using different gambling formats, those with varying levels of problem gambling, and vulnerable populations. From a methods perspective, researchers saw the need for longitudinal studies, more qualitative research and improved outcome measures. The development and testing of a public health approach to addressing the harms associated with gambling in these areas is needed. Link to the article

Citation: Lawn, S., Oster, C., Riley, B., Smith, D., Baigent, M., & Rahamathulla, M. (2020). A literature review and gap analysis of emerging technologies and new trends in gambling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(744).

Targeting problem gambling relapse risk factors: Lack of social connectedness and leisure substitution [open-access thesis]

Abstract
This research added an innovative, critical component to the current problem gambling treatment approaches available in Australia. It targeted a susceptible and significant group of people who experience gambling-related harm but find it difficult to stop gambling and not to start again. Relapse in problem gambling and treatment dropout is common, with a rate of up to 70% being generally accepted.
To date, gambling interventions specifically targeting risk factors for relapse have not been the focus of many studies. The author of this thesis, who has lived experience with problem gambling, designed a structured group program targeting two identified risk factors for gambling relapse: 1) lack of social connectedness, and 2) lack of leisure substitution. Between 2009 and 2016, four versions of this program were trialled. All program participants were supported by a group of volunteers, most of whom had lived experience with problem gambling and were participants in previous program versions. Four versions of the program were evaluated using a multi-method approach. Quantitative data were collected using validated psychosocial measures. Journaled observation by the author, anecdotal evidence and journaled participants quotes were documented by the author in various project reports and are used in this thesis to support the qualitative findings.
The results of the quantitative data revealed significant improvement for participants in the areas of social connectedness, self-efficacy, and mental health. Importantly, the results also indicated that the program supported the goals of either abstinence from, or control over, gambling behaviour for program completers. It is concluded that this innovative program helped to reconnect people to activities other than gambling and to a supportive community and, in so doing, effectively achieved the research objectives.
An extra qualitative study ‘Volunteer study’ was conducted to explore if the aspect of ‘volunteering’ made a positive contribution to sustain behavioural changes that were achieved by previous program participation. This exploratory study utilised 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews with current volunteers of the trialled relapse-focused programs from studies 1-4. This part of the research indicated that volunteering for any of the peer support relapse focused programs provided significant benefits to an individual’s recovery from problem gambling. The sample was a small convenience sample, so it is not possible to generalise the findings but offers an opportunity to further explore the importance of volunteering in recovery. Link to the article

Citation: Byrne, G.H. (2019). Targeting Problem Gambling Relapse Risk Factors: Lack of Social Connectedness and Leisure Substitution (PhD Thesis, Victoria University). Retrieved from http://vuir.vu.edu.au/40035/

Reaching out to big losers leads to sustained reductions in gambling over one year: A randomized controlled trial of brief motivational contact [open-access article]

Abstract

Background and aims: A previous randomized controlled trial demonstrated that phone and letter-based motivational interventions with high expenditure gamblers had significant short-term positive effects on gambling and use of responsible gambling tools. This post-trial follow-up examined outcomes in gambling expenditure over 12 months.

Design: Observational study following a three-arm randomized controlled trial. Setting: Customers of Norsk Tipping (NT) gambling platforms, Norway. Participants: 1,003 statistical triplets from the top 0.5% of customers based upon annual expenditure, matched on sex, age, and net losses. Mean age 53.4 years, 19% were women, mean yearly loss for 2016 was 88,197 NoK. Interventions and comparator: Feedback intervention by telephone, letter, or a nocontact control condition.

Measurements: Primary outcome measure was gambling theoretical loss, derived from the Norsk Tipping customer database. Secondary outcomes were responsible gambling customer actions and whether the participant was retained as a NT customer.

Findings: Per protocol analyses of triplets who received the phone call or letter as randomly assigned (n=596) showed a positive and sustained effect over 12 months: the telephone group showed a 30% reduction in theoretic loss (d=.44) and the letter group 13% (d=.18), both outperforming the control group with a 7% reduction (d=.11). The phone condition was superior to both the letter and control conditions in per protocol (p<.001) and to control condition in intention to treat analyses (ITT) (p<.001). Individuals in the phone condition took more responsible gambling actions. The letter condition had better outcomes than the control in the ITT only (p<.001). Over 93% were still customers a year after the intervention.

Conclusions: Personal contact with high expenditure gambling customers in Norway that provided individualized feedback on expenditures was associated with reduced theoretical losses and greater use of responsible gambling tools over a 12-month period, compared with no contact. Telephone intervention with customers had a larger impact than a mailed letter. Link to the article

Citation: Jakob Jonsson, J., Hodgins, D.C., Munck, I., & Carlbring, P. (2020). Reaching out to big losers leads to sustained reductions in gambling over one year: A randomized controlled trial of brief motivational contact. Addiction. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14982

Phenotypes in gambling disorder using sociodemographic and clinical clustering analysis: An unidentified new subtype?

Background: Gambling disorder (GD) is a heterogeneous disorder which has clinical manifestations that vary according to variables in each individual. Considering the importance of the application of specific therapeutic interventions, it is essential to obtain clinical classifications based on differentiated phenotypes for patients diagnosed with GD

Objectives: To identify gambling profiles in a large clinical sample of n = 2,570 patients seeking treatment for GD.

Methods: An agglomerative hierarchical clustering method defining a combination of the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion and log-likelihood was used, considering a large set of variables including sociodemographic, gambling, psychopathological, and personality measures as indicators.

Results: Three-mutually-exclusive groups were obtained. Cluster 1 (n = 908 participants, 35.5%), labeled as “high emotional distress,” included the oldest patients with the longest illness duration, the highest GD severity, and the most severe levels of psychopathology. Cluster 2 (n = 1,555, 60.5%), labeled as “mild emotional distress,” included patients with the lowest levels of GD severity and the lowest levels of psychopathology. Cluster 3 (n = 107, 4.2%), labeled as “moderate emotional distress,” included the youngest patients with the shortest illness duration, the highest level of education and moderate levels of psychopathology.

Conclusion: In this study, the general psychopathological state obtained the highest importance for clustering. Link to the article

Citation: Jiménez-Murcia, S., Granero, R., Fernández-Aranda, F., Stinchfield, R., Tremblay, J., Steward, T., Mestre-Bach, G., Lozano-Madrid, M., Mena-Moreno, T., Mallorquí-Bagué, N., Perales, J.C., Navas, J.F., Soriano-Mas, C., Aymamí, N., Gómez-Peña, M., Agüera, Z., del Pino-Gutiérrez, A., Martín-Romera, V., & Menchón, J.M. (2019). Phenotypes in Gambling Disorder Using Sociodemographic and Clinical Clustering Analysis: An Unidentified New Subtype? Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10(173). doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00173

Esports betting and skin gambling: a brief history [article]

Abstract
The rising popularity of competitive video gaming (‘‘esports’’) has attracted the involvement of the gambling industry, with esports cash betting available from the majority of wagering operators. In addition, an unregulated gambling subculture around esports has arisen, with virtual game items known as ‘‘skins’’ being used as currency to place bets on esports and third-party sites that host games of chance. Little is presently known about these novel forms of gambling, although there are growing concerns that these products may place some vulnerable consumers (e.g., youth) at risk of gambling-related harm. The current paper provides a historical overview of esports betting and skin gambling globally, drawing on the limited research literature available, including academic journals, government publications, conference presentations, and media reports. Topics briefly covered in the review include esports, skins, history of the gambling products, gambling exposure and accessibility, research findings (e.g., prevalence, awareness, demographic characteristics, gambling behaviour, problem gambling), illegal activities, changes to skins and the skin gambling market, and industry and government responses to concerns arising from these new gambling products (e.g., underage gambling). The intention of this paper is to provide the general public, academics, governments, and other key stakeholders with an understanding of the evolving landscape around esports betting and skin gambling, the type of bettors that these forms of gambling attract, and the potential adverse consequences of these activities. Link to the article

Citation: Greer, N., Rockloff, M., Browne, M., Hing, N., & King, D.L. (2019). Esports betting and skin gambling: a brief history. Journal of Gambling Issues, 43.

Problem gambling among homeless clinic attenders [article]

Abstract
Objective: To examine the relationship between problem gambling and homelessness.
Method: A consecutive sample of attenders at psychiatric clinics at three inner-city homeless hostels over 8.5 years. The demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, pathway and pattern of homelessness of those identified to have problem gambling were compared with those who did not report problem gambling.
Results: A total of 2388 individuals were seen at the clinics in the 8 years of the study, of whom 289 (12.1%) reported problem gambling, mainly on poker machines. Those with problem gambling were more likely to be male, to have been married, employed for more than a year and to have a diagnosis of mood disorder. They were less likely to have a diagnosis of psychosis. However, the combination of psychosis and problem gambling was associated with the likelihood of having their financial affairs placed under the control of the Public Trustee.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that earlier attention to problem gambling might reduce the likelihood of becoming homeless, as well as the need for routine enquiry about gambling behaviour, measures to reduce gambling, including expert counselling, restrictions on the availability of addictive forms of gambling and assisting vulnerable individuals with money management. Link to the article

Citation: Machart, T., Cooper, L., Jones, N., Nielssen, A., Doughty, E., Staples, L., & Nielssen, O. (2019). Problem gambling among homeless clinic attenders. Australasian Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856219889312

Secondary data analysis report an examination of the effects of problem gambling on retirement transitions [article]

Abstract
Population aging represents a major demographic shift and older adults gamble at higher rates than ever before. However, little is known about the impact of gambling on retirement transitions. Therefore, we examined the consequences of recreational levels and problem levels of gambling for retirement timing and the stability of retirement. To better understand how the positive and negative consequences of gambling have an impact on retirement timing and the potential return to work for those in retirement, data were analyzed from the Quinte Longitudinal Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling (QLS; Williams et al., 2014). Logistic regression was used to predict retirement outcomes. Among people who were employed and aged 50 and over at baseline, problem gambling and gambling to socialize encouraged people to retire two years later; however, gambling to socialize at baseline was not associated with retirement four years later. For people who were retired and aged 55 and over at baseline, problem gambling did not pull them out of retirement two years or four years later. This study addressed the call for prospective research on the consequences of gambling (Desai, Desai, & Potenza, 2007). Findings are of value to problem gambling treatment and service providers, adults planning for or in retirement, and retirement planning professionals. Link to the article

Citation: Dawczyk, A., & Mock, S.E. (2019). Secondary data analysis report an examination of the effects of problem gambling on retirement transitions. Ontario: Gambling Research Exchange Ontario.