The popularity and expansion of sports wagering has highlighted the betting behavior of athletes, particularly at college and professional levels. Far less attention, however, has been paid to the gambling behavior of coaches, despite their immersion in sports environments saturated with gambling opportunities and their potential influence on athletes' attitudes and behaviors. The present study utilized a subsample of individuals with athletic backgrounds from an epidemiological study (N = 1,778), including current coaches (n = 161), former coaches (n = 595), and individuals who never coached (n = 1,022). Bivariate comparisons by coaching status found that current coaches gambled at the highest frequency, in more venues, across more activities, including sports and fantasy sports betting, and reported the highest rates of problem gambling. In a multivariate linear regression, current coach status was associated with a 2.33-point higher Problem Gambling Severity Index score (p < .001) compared to non-coaches; former coaches did not significantly differ from non-coaches. Among current coaches, problem gambling was associated with being an NCAA athlete, current sports participation, perceiving family and friend participation in sports betting, depression, drug and alcohol problems, risky sex, and excessive video/internet gaming. These findings suggest coaches require their own education and intervention, and should be included in prevention programs targeting athletes.
Given the influence of gambling advertising on individuals' perceptions and behaviors, policymakers in various jurisdictions have introduced restrictions to mitigate harm. In Belgium, most forms of gambling advertising have been banned since 2023, although exemptions, transitional measures for sports sponsoring, and potential loopholes remain. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 young adults, this study explored how people who gamble experience and perceive the gambling advertising landscape under the new regulatory framework in Belgium. While participants reported seeing less gambling advertising overall, remaining communication was perceived as more targeted across multiple dimensions, including advertising formats, personalization of advertising content based on gambling preferences, and temporal patterns tied to special events. Next to passive exposure, participants actively engaged with gambling operators' owned media for financial, informational, and entertainment purposes, with financial inducements being perceived as highly persuasive. Sports sponsorship was generally viewed positively, justified on economic grounds. Participants broadly rejected the differential regulatory treatment of the public gambling operator, despite perceiving its communication as less aggressive. Although gambling advertisements from illegal gambling operators were frequently encountered, participants considered them as unpersuasive due to limited brand familiarity. This study offers practical implications for other jurisdictions aiming to restrict gambling advertising.
Gambling advertising contributes to increased gambling consumption and harm. Several European countries have taken steps to restrict gambling advertising. This policy review maps regulations on gambling advertising in 30 European countries using the comparative framework analysis method. The aim is to identify different regulatory provisions for gambling advertising in Europe, to support cross-jurisdictional learning on possible best practices. The results highlight regulatory diversity and learning potential. Two countries had near blanket bans on gambling advertising. Six other countries had near bans. Elsewhere, restrictions varied. Restrictions include limitations on harmful content. There was an almost universal ban on targeting youth with gambling advertising. Most countries had restrictions on advertising channels, media and objects. Restrictions on the timing of advertising, on direct and online forms and on sponsorship were less prevalent. Some form of preventive messages were required by most countries. These findings have implications for harm prevention and public health. Prohibiting or restricting advertising can help to reduce the burden of harm caused by gambling. However, restrictions need to be comprehensive and targeted at different forms and types of advertising. Cross-comparative evidence highlights good practices and possibilities for improved regulation of gambling advertising.
This paper presents a large-scale investigation into how socioeconomic background predicts participation and level of engagement in the Finnish online horse betting market. Prior studies have mostly relied on self-report surveys or area-based proxies to examine correlations between demographic variables and gambling, which makes their results noisy. We add to this literature by using actual market data on gambling behavior and administrative registry data on individuals' sociodemographic background. These data include all online horse wagering transactions over one year in a state-sanctioned monopoly market and registry data on the Finnish population aged 18-70 (N = 3,793,245). Beyond standard sociodemographic variables such as age, education, and marital status, we incorporate rarely examined factors, such as personal debt, income by source (earned, investment, social benefits), and partner gambling. The findings using objective data both confirm and refine earlier research. Male gender, single status, primarily earned income, and having a partner who gambles predict greater betting engagement, while student status and having children are negative predictors. Several factors, including age, education, occupation, debt, and social allowances, show divergent associations across participation, frequency, and volume. These results demonstrate the value of combining account and administrative data, distinguishing gambling types, and exploring underused socioeconomic indicators.
Marketing is one of the most extensively studied contextual factors influencing gambling behavior. However, its association with adolescent gambling behavior remains underexplored. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach to: 1) analyze gambling behavior among Spanish adolescents, and 2) examine their exposure to gambling advertising based on gambling risk. A total of 1,189 students (M = 15.64, SD = 1.08; 52.5% girls) participated in the study. Gambling severity was assessed using the adolescent-adapted version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Additionally, exposure and perceptions to gambling marketing were evaluated through an ad hoc questionnaire. Problematic gambling was found in 3.03% of the sample, with higher rates among males. Exposure to gambling marketing was reported by 64.3%, and 60.7% specifically via social media. Individuals with at-risk and problematic gambling were more likely to report exposure to gambling marketing. Finally, 53% of participants considered that gambling marketing influences gambling behavior, and 72% indicated that advertising should be regulated. These findings suggest that gambling marketing may play a significant role in adolescent gambling behavior. The high levels of exposure, combined with the increased vulnerability observed among those adolescents with at-risk and problematic gambling, highlight the need for regulating advertising targets or accessibility to adolescents.
Gambling can result in benefits and harm, yet their relationship and underlying predictors remain inadequately understood. Using data from the Finnish Gambling 2023 population survey (N = 5,977), this study examines to what extent Finnish gamblers self-report gambling as beneficial or harmful. We examined associations between sociodemographic and gambling behavior-related variables and harms and benefits across three domains: relationships, health, and finance. Binary logistic regression models were used. The majority of respondents evaluated their gambling as having neither benefits nor harms for health (93.1%), finances (85.2%), and relationships (90.8%), respectively. While examining the extremes of the rating scale, 10.2% rated their gambling financially harmful while 4.6% perceived it as beneficial. Conversely, from the perspective of health and, particularly, relationships, gambling was rated more beneficial than harmful. Deviations from neutrality, positive and negative, were most common among those with frequent and at-risk gambling based on Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores. Findings suggest that experiencing benefits from gambling is associated with experiencing harms and having higher PGSI scores. Although these findings describe co-occurring self-reported evaluations rather than directional or causal relationships, our results support the view that gambling is an atypical consumer product, inherently risky even when perceived as beneficial to the individual.
The present study investigated how affect regulation motives for gambling relate to gambling frequency over a two-year period, with particular attention to differences between individuals who gamble on sports and those who gamble but not on sports. Participants were recruited from a nonprobability internet panel from two sources: a large cross-section of adults matched and weighted to US Census norms and a specific oversample of sports-gambling adults (Baseline N = 1,760). Analyzing five waves of data collected over 2 years, we found robust between-person associations: Higher gambling frequency corresponded with stronger affect regulation motives. Contrary to expectations, both coping and enhancement motives were strongly related to gambling frequency in sports gamblers, suggesting that this group may be more broadly motivated to gamble for affect regulation. At the within-person level, three consistent findings emerged across groups: (1) coping and enhancement motives were strongly correlated within timepoints, (2) gambling frequency was stable over time, and (3) elevated enhancement motives at a given time point predicted increases in gambling frequency 6 months later.
Gambling-related harms are a growing public health concern, particularly amid the rapid expansion of online sports betting. Young men, who comprise a large portion of online sports bettors, are especially vulnerable due to increased exposure, cultural normalization of gambling in sports, and reduced barriers to participation. While research has explored mutual help within online forums, limited work has examined how social support functions in real-time messaging platforms popular among young adults. This study addressed this gap by analyzing messages exchanged within a Discord channel dedicated to problem gambling, embedded in a larger sports betting community. Publicly available chat messages spanning four National Football League seasons were coded using Social Support Behavior Code and analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Informational support (e.g., advice, teaching) was most common and often grounded in personal experiences with gambling harm and recovery. Emotional support (e.g., empathy, encouragement) frequently occurred in messages expressing shared struggle, while esteem, network, and tangible support appeared less often but contributed to cohesion and sustained participation. Findings highlight how peer-driven support can organically emerge on instant messaging platforms, offering culturally relevant, low-barrier spaces for young adults at risk of gambling harm and emphasizing the need for research on their behavioral impact.
Online sports betting has become a profitable segment of the global gambling industry, with young men identified as the demographic most likely to engage in online sports betting and at risk of gambling problems. Despite its prominence, limited qualitative research has explored young men's experiences with online sports betting, and even less has examined parents' perspectives, who may influence their child's betting. We interviewed 16 young men (aged 18-24) and 11 parents to investigate attitudes toward sports betting, factors influencing engagement, parental strategies for addressing betting, and suggestions for support and reform. Thematic analysis revealed mixed attitudes. Parents largely emphasized the risks, while young men acknowledged the appeal and potential harms. Key influences on engagement included peer dynamics, marketing, and the accessibility of betting apps. The role of family gambling history was complex, having protective and risk-enhancing effects. Open communication with children and highlighting the risks of betting were common parental strategies. Participants recommended reforms to advertising, spending limits, and targeted educational content. Integrating perspectives from young men and parents of young men, this study highlights the multiple factors shaping young men's sports betting behaviors and underscores the need for targeted, evidence-based support for young men and their families.
Gambling-related harm (GRH) extends beyond addiction, affecting multiple life domains, yet validated tools for its assessment are currently lacking for the Spanish population. This study adapted and validated a Spanish version of the Gambling Related Harm (GRH) Checklist and developed a short form (S-SGHS) to quantify GRH and facilitate population-level metrics. A Spanish survey of 800 individuals, with gambling experience in the past year, assessed their gambling behaviors, GRH (via the 72-item GRH-CL), the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and quality of life (SF-6D, TECVASP). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional structure for the 72-item. Using a genetic algorithm and manual Item Response Theory (IRT) selection, a 12-item short form (S-SGHS-12) was derived, showing strong internal consistency and gender invariance. The S-SGHS demonstrated good predictive validity over the PGSI for quality of life (SF-6D, TECVASP), highlighting its sensitivity to subtle harms. Results underscore the need for culturally tailored instruments. The S-SGHS enables nuanced public health evaluations, informing preventive strategies beyond clinical addiction frameworks. This study provides the first validated Spanish tool for GRH assessment, advancing insights into gambling’s multifaceted impacts.
Many countries are strengthening their regulation of the gambling industry. Measures to protect children from exposure to gambling are often an important component of regulation, as childhood exposure to gambling is thought to lead to problem gambling (PG) in adulthood. We report a pre-registered analysis of survey data from a nationally representative sample of adults in Ireland (N = 1,663). Almost two-in-three adults (64%) report having gambled before turning 18 and doing so is associated with an 83-87% increase in the risk of later-life PG (p < 0.01). Having a parent who gambled and having parents with more positive attitudes toward gambling are also associated with increased risk of PG of 33% (p < 0.05) and 31-40% (p < 0.05), respectively. Those who had a parent that gambled a lot are 80% more likely to have PG (p < 0.01). However, the relationship between parental behavior and PG is weaker among younger age groups. Having multiple childhood risk factors is associated with between a doubling and a quadrupling of the probability of PG. Our findings support child-focused regulatory measures to restrict access and exposure to gambling for children.
This ethnographic study examines the socio-economic and cultural impacts of social casino gaming, focusing the mobile application Higgs Domino Island (HDI) in Indonesia. Although Marketed as a casual game, HDI functions as a social casino platform whose monetization through third-party chip exchanges effectively serves as a proxy for gambling. Based on in-depth interviews and participant observation with nine male informants, the study reveals how gambling becomes a coping strategy amid post-pandemic economic uncertainty. Early wins are framed as acts of empowerment but often lead to escalate into financial losses and emotional distress due to addictive platform designs. Informal economic roles - such as chip sellers - emerge, sustaining a shadow digital economy within community networks. Socially, HDI platform fosters bonding through communal play yet invites stigma from visible consumption. Culturally, players perform identity shifts through symbolic displays like custom clothing and vehicle modification, navigating tensions with religious and legal norms. Health risks, including sleep disruption and emotional dysregulation, accompany repetitive gambling practices. The findings suggest that social casino gaming, when mediated through informal monetization, is best understood as a socialized response to structural vulnerability rather than a purely individual behavior, requiring policy interventions that address economic precarity, digital inequalities, and community-level moral frameworks.
The lines between video games and gambling have been blurring, raising concerns for vulnerable players. The inclusion of gambling-like elements in games is considered a potential gateway to gambling with real money. Research has shown correlations between interacting with gambling-like elements and (problematic) gambling behavior. To date, no longitudinal research has examined this gateway hypothesis in adolescents. A two-wave survey (with a 1-year interval) was conducted among 561 Flemish (i.e. the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) adolescents (ages 10-17 in the first wave, 43.3% boys). The prevalence of interacting with gambling-like elements in and around video games and gambling was 75.5% and 60.3%, with boys taking part significantly more often. Bivariate correlations showed significant, positive associations between interacting with gambling-like elements and gambling attitudes, norms, intentions, and behaviors. Cross-lagged panel analysis and structural equation modeling showed a longitudinal model from gambling-like elements to gambling. Interacting with gambling-like elements in the first wave was significantly predictive of gambling behavior at wave two, indirectly via gambling attitude and intention. The findings underscore the value of a reasoned action approach in predicting the effects of a variety of gambling-like elements -beyond loot boxes - on gambling.
Gambling for long periods of time with fewer breaks (i.e. playing continuously) is understood to be an indicator of harmful gambling. Yet, empirical research using account-based tracking data to establish this relationship remains scarce. In the current study, we addressed this gap by exploring the associations between session length, break length, and risk of gambling-related harm using carded electronic gaming machine (EGM) session data from a land-based casino operator. In line with prior literature, we hypothesized problem gambling severity to be associated with longer gaming sessions, shorter break time, and therefore more continuous play. The dataset for the secondary analyses consisted of 1,332 regular players who gambled on EGMs using their loyalty card from March 2021 to February 2022 and completed the Problem Gambling Severity Index in March 2022. Contrary to our hypotheses, results demonstrated no meaningful associations between problem gambling severity and session length, break length, or the extent to which sessions were continuous. We replicated the analyses with an additional operator dataset of 898 regular EGM customers and corroborated our initial findings. Furthermore, exploratory decision tree classification models revealed no optimal threshold in which machine session length could accurately predict high-risk and problem gambling. These findings contradict the prevailing assumption that problem gambling severity is associated with long, continuous play sessions, bringing into question the utility of solely relying on session length as an indicator of harmful gambling. Rather, harm reduction practices may look to other risky behaviors that occur within these long sessions to more effectively identify and interrupt risky play.
