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Adolescents Who Play and Spend Money in Simulated Gambling Games Are at Heightened Risk of Gambling Problems

Author

Listed:
  • Nerilee Hing

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

  • Cassandra K. Dittman

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

  • Alex M. T. Russell

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

  • Daniel L. King

    (College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia)

  • Matthew Rockloff

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

  • Matthew Browne

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

  • Philip Newall

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia
    School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TU, UK)

  • Nancy Greer

    (Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg 4670, Australia)

Abstract

Simulated gambling, such as playing a virtual slot machine for points rather than money, is increasingly part of the online gaming experience for youth. This study aimed to examine (1) if youth participation in simulated gambling games is associated with participation in monetary gambling; (2) if youth participation in simulated gambling games is associated with increased risk of problematic gambling when controlling for breadth of monetary gambling (i.e., number of gambling forms); and (3) if monetary expenditure and time spent playing simulated gambling games increase the risk of problematic gambling. Two samples of Australians aged 12–17 years were recruited—826 respondents through an online panel aggregator (mean age 14.1 years) and 843 respondents through advertising (mean age 14.6 years). Aim 1 was addressed using chi-square and correlation analyses. Linear multiple regression analyses were conducted to address Aims 2 and 3. The findings in both samples supported the study’s hypotheses—that (1) youth who play simulated gambling games are more likely to participate in monetary gambling, and that (2) participation and (3) time and money expenditure on simulated gambling are positively and independently associated with risk of problematic gambling when controlling for the number of monetary gambling forms, impulsivity, age and gender. To better protect young people, simulated gambling should, at minimum, emulate the consumer protection measures required for online gambling.

Suggested Citation

  • Nerilee Hing & Cassandra K. Dittman & Alex M. T. Russell & Daniel L. King & Matthew Rockloff & Matthew Browne & Philip Newall & Nancy Greer, 2022. "Adolescents Who Play and Spend Money in Simulated Gambling Games Are at Heightened Risk of Gambling Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10652-:d:898648
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyonghwa Kang & Jong Sun Ok & Hyeongsu Kim & Kun-Sei Lee, 2019. "The Gambling Factors Related with the Level of Adolescent Problem Gambler," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Tim Brosowski & Tobias Turowski & Tobias Hayer, 2020. "Simulated gambling consumption mediation model (SGCMM): disentangling convergence with parallel mediation models," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 466-486, September.
    3. Ben J. Riley & Candice Oster & Mubarak Rahamathulla & Sharon Lawn, 2021. "Attitudes, Risk Factors, and Behaviours of Gambling among Adolescents and Young People: A Literature Review and Gap Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Sally M. Gainsbury & Nerilee Hing & Paul H. Delfabbro & Daniel L. King, 2014. "A taxonomy of gambling and casino games via social media and online technologies," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 196-213, August.
    5. Frédéric Dussault & Natacha Brunelle & Sylvia Kairouz & Michel Rousseau & Danielle Leclerc & Joël Tremblay & Marie-Marthe Cousineau & Magali Dufour, 2017. "Transition from playing with simulated gambling games to gambling with real money: a longitudinal study in adolescence," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 386-400, September.
    6. Alex M. T. Russell & Matthew Browne & Nerilee Hing & Matthew Rockloff & Philip Newall, 2022. "Are any samples representative or unbiased? reply to Pickering and Blaszczynski," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 102-113, January.
    7. Heather Wardle & Elena Petrovskaya & David Zendle, 2020. "Defining the esports bettor: evidence from an online panel survey of emerging adults," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 487-499, September.
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