Impact of Internet gambling on problem gambling among adolescents in Italy: Findings from a large-scale nationally representative survey. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Canale, Natale; Griffiths, Mark D.; Vieno, Alessio; Siciliano, Valeria; Molinaro, Sabrina
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Online gambling -- Internet gambling -- Problem gambling -- Adolescent gambling -- ESPAD data; ESPAD European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs -- SOGS-RA South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents -- SD Standard deviation -- M mean -- ORs odds ratios -- CI confidence interval -- BGPS British Gambling Prevalence Survey; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2015.12.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: The primary aim of the present study was to understand the impact of online gambling on gambling problems in a large-scale nationally representative sample of Italian youth, and to identify and then further examine a subgroup of online gamblers who reported higher rates of gambling problems. Design: Data from the ESPAD ® Italia2013 (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) Study were used for analyses of adolescent Internet gambling. Setting: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by a representative sample of high school students, aged 15–19 years. Participants: A total of 14, 778 adolescent students. Measurements: Respondents' problem gambling severity; gambling behavior (participation in eight different gambling activities, the number of gambling occasions and the number of online gambling occasions, monthly gambling expenditure); Socio-demographics (e.g., family structure and financial status); and control variables were measured individually (i.e., use of the Internet for leisure activities and playing video games). Findings: Rates of problem gambling were five times higher among online gamblers than non-online gamblers. In addition, factors that increased the risk of becoming a problem online gambler included living with non-birth parents, having a higher perception of financial family status, being more involved with gambling, and the medium preferences of remote gamblers (e.g., Internet cafes, digital television, and video game console). Conclusions: The online gambling environment may pose significantly greater risk to vulnerable players. Family characteristics and contextual elements concerning youth Internet gambling (e.g., remote mediums) may play a key role in explaining problem online gambling among adolescents. Highlights: Most studies into online gambling (OG) have used non-representative samples. This study examines OG in a large-scale nationally representative youth sample. Rates of problem gambling in youth are five times higher among online gamblers. Remote mediums increase the risk of youth becoming a problem online gambler. Family characteristics play a key role in explaining youth problem online gambling.