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The scope and variety of video games and monetary gambling opportunities are expanding rapidly. In many ways, these forms of entertainment are converging on digital and online video games and gambling sites. However, little is known about the relationship between video gaming and gambling. The present study explored the possibility of a directional relationship between measures of problem gaming and problem gambling, while also controlling for the influence of sex and age. In contrast to most previous investigations which are based on cross-sectional designs and non-representative samples, the present study utilized a longitudinal design conducted over 2 years (2013, 2015) and comprising 4601 participants (males 47.2%, age range 16-74) drawn from a random sample from the general population. Video gaming and gambling were assessed using the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents and the Canadian Problem Gambling Index, respectively. Using an autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation model, we found a positive relationship between scores on problematic gaming and later scores on problematic gambling, whereas we found no evidence of the reverse relationship. Hence, video gaming problems appear to be a gateway behavior to problematic gambling behavior. In future research, one should continue to monitor the possible reciprocal behavioral influences between gambling and video gaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Although alcohol intake and gambling often co-occur in related venues, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of alcohol expectancy and intake on gambling behavior. We therefore conducted an experimental investigation of the effects of alcohol expectancy and intake on slot machine gambling behavior. Methods: Participants were 184 (females = 94) individuals [age range: 18-40 (mean = 21.9) years] randomized to four independent conditions differing in information/expectancy about beverage (told they received either alcohol or placebo) and beverage intake [actually ingesting low (target blood alcohol concentration [BAC] < 0.40 mg/L) vs. moderate (target BAC > 0.40 mg/L; ≈0.80 mg/L) amounts of alcohol]. All participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing demographic variables, subjective intoxication, alcohol effects (stimulant and sedative), and gambling factors (behavior and problems, evaluation, and beliefs). Participants also gambled on a simulated slot machine. Results: A significant main effect of beverage intake on subjective intoxication and alcohol effects was detected as expected. No significant main or interaction effects were detected for number of gambling sessions, bet size and variation, remaining credits at termination, reaction time, and game evaluation. Conclusion: Alcohol expectancy and intake do not affect gambling persistence, dissipation of funds, reaction time, or gambling enjoyment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Knowledge of the personality characteristics of individuals who develop gambling problems is important for designing targeted prevention efforts. Previous studies of the relationship between the five-factor model of personality and gambling problems were based on small samples not representative of the general population. We estimated differences in neuroticism, extroversion, intellect, agreeableness and conscientiousness between non-problem gamblers and individuals with low, moderate and severe gambling problems. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Norway. Participants A total of 10 081 (51.5% female) individuals aged 16-74 years (mean age 46.5 years). Measures The Problem Gambling Severity Index, The Mini-International Personality Item Pool and demographic variables. Differences between groups of gamblers were analysed by ordinary least-squares regression models separately for each personality trait adjusting for gender, age, cohabitation, level of education and work status. Findings Gamblers with low, moderate and severe levels of gambling problems differed significantly from non-problem gamblers in neuroticism ( b = 0.16, 0.34 and 0.66, respectively, all P < 0.001) and conscientiousness ( b = −0.13, −0.28 and −0.44, respectively, all P < 0.001). Moderate and severe problem gamblers differed from non-problem gamblers in agreeableness ( b = −0.21, P < 0.001 and b = −0.20, P = 0.028, respectively). In addition, gambling problems were much more prevalent among men than women, and more prevalent among those who live alone, individuals without tertiary education and among those who are unemployed or on disability pension. Conclusions A higher level of problem gambling severity appears to be associated with higher scores on neuroticism, and with lower scores on conscientiousness and agreeableness in the Mini-International Personality Item Pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report data collected in a representative sample of 17-year-old Norwegians to investigate prevalence rates of non-problem, risk, and problem gambling, as measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). In addition, we explored the importance of demographic, personality, motivational, social, and health variables explaining variance in adolescent gambling. Prevalence rates of risk and problem gambling were low but similar to those found in previous studies outside of Norway using the PGSI in adolescent samples. With regard to the relative importance of the various covariates, we found that motivational variables (future gambling intentions, attitudes toward gambling, and gambling-related knowledge) distinguished best between those who did not gamble, non-problem gamblers, and risk and problem gamblers. Furthermore, social variables were important covariates of adolescent gambling; significant associations were found for family and friends' approval of gambling, parental monitoring, father's level of education, and having relatives or friends with a history of a gambling disorder. We discuss possible reasons for differences between the covariates with regard to their importance for explaining adolescent gambling and address implications for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rasch modelling was conducted by applying the lifetime NODS criteria using data from a national representative sample aged from 15 to 74 years in Norway (N = 5235). To a large extent, the results replicated previous findings, supporting the view that the DSM-IV gambling symptoms have a unidimensional structure. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis indicated that younger gamblers (aged 15-25 years) were more likely to endorse the symptom of 'chasing' than older gamblers. Likewise, DIF analysis indicated that female gamblers were more likely to report 'escape' at lower levels of problem gambling than males. Moreover, the results showed that younger gamblers were less likely to endorse symptoms of 'withdrawal' and 'loss of control' than older gamblers. As the results may be explained by age and gender-specific correlates (or behaviour), future studies should include extended age groups (e.g. 12-75 years) or conduct Rasch modelling and DIF analysis on specific adolescent gambling instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of the literature published on "cognitive biases" and gambling from 1960 till the present day. Typical cognitive biases are an individual's irrational beliefs, cognitive distortions and erroneous perceptions about his or her ability to influence, control or predict the outcome of a chance event; these appear to be important for the maintenance of gambling related behaviour. Overall, the research suggests that cognitive factors are important in developing gambling addiction, but may be less important when gambling becomes habitual or regulated by automatic processes. Regardless of whether the behaviour is explained by reinforcement, needs or cognitive theories, it is still unclear why some individuals gamble more than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the short- and long-term effect of psychological treatments of pathological gambling and factors relating to treatment outcome. Design and setting This study provides a quantitative meta-analytical review of psychotherapeutic treatments of pathological gambling. Studies were identified by computer search in the PsycINFO and Medline databases covering the period from 1966 to 2004, as well as from relevant reference lists. Inclusion criteria The target problem was pathological gambling, the treatment was psychological, the study was published in English and outcomes directly pertaining to gambling were employed. Single case studies, studies where elimination of gambling not was the priority and studies with insufficient statistical information were excluded from the present meta-analysis. Participants A total of 37 outcome studies, published or reported between 1968 and 2004, were identified. Of these 15 were excluded, thus 22 studies were included, involving 1434 subjects. The grand mean age was 40.1 years. The overall proportion of men was 71.5%. Measurements The included studies were coded for outcome measures of pathological gambling. For each condition, means and standard deviations for gambling-related outcome measures, all based upon self-reports or therapist ratings, were compiled at three points in time: baseline, post-treatment and the last follow-up reported. Findings Effect sizes represent the difference between the mean score in a treatment condition and a control condition or the difference between mean scores at separated points in time for one group, expressed in terms of standard deviation units. At post-treatment the analysis indicated that psychological treatments were more effective than no treatment, yielding an overall effect size of 2.01 ( P < 0.01). At follow-up (averaging 17.0 months) the corresponding effect size was 1.59 ( P < 0.01). A multiple regression analysis showed that the magnitude of effect sizes at post-treatment were lower in studies including patients with a formal diagnosis of pathological gambling only, compared to studies not employing such inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were also higher in randomized controlled trials compared to not randomized controlled trials, higher in within subjects designs compared to between subjects designs and also positively related to number of therapy sessions. No mediator variables were significantly related to the magnitude of the effect sizes at follow-up. Conclusion Psychological interventions for pathological gamble seem to be yield very favourable short- and long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between different personality variables and pathological gambling (PG). The NEO-FFI and measures of impulsivity and sensation-seeking were administered to a sample of pathological gamblers (n =90) and to a contrast group of non-pathological gamblers (n =66) matched on sex and age. Gender, age, education level and the personality variables were entered into crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses with PG-status as the dependent variable. The results showed that educational level and all personality variables were significant predictors of PG in the crude analyses, however only four of the 12 significant predictor variables (Neuroticism, Openness, Impulsivity, and need for Stimulus Intensity) remained significant in the adjusted analysis. All predictor variables accounted for 71% of the variance in PG-status. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]