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Internet, App-Based, and Casino Gambling: Associations Between Modality, Problem Gambling, and Substance Use.

Authors :
Noel JK
Rosenthal SR
Jacob S
Source :
Journal of gambling studies [J Gambl Stud] 2024 Sep; Vol. 40 (3), pp. 1-14. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 05.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Technology-based gambling prevalence is not well understood since relevant questions are not included in health and disease surveillance studies. The current study sought to estimate the prevalence of internet-based and smartphone app-based gambling, along with casino gambling, in a sample of U.S. young adults and determine if gambling modality was associated with problem gambling symptoms or substance use. The 2022 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey included N = 1,022 students between the ages of 18 to 25 years old who had lived in Rhode Island, with n = 414 lifetime gamblers (40.5%) included in this study. Odds of gambling via a smartphone app and on the internet, respectively, were greater in heterosexual cis-males compared to heterosexual cis-females (OR[95%CI] = 3.14 [1.25,7.91]; OR[95%CI] = 6.30 [2.05,19.3]). Internet gambling amongst employed students was less common than among those who were not a student and not employed (OR[95%CI] = 0.25 [0.06,1.00]). Odds of problem gambling symptoms were higher among those who gambled via a smartphone app (OR[95%CI] = 3.23 [1.21,8.60]). All forms of gambling were associated with alcohol consumption, although the strength of the association was stronger in app and internet gamblers. Casino gamblers were more likely to be high risk marijuana and illicit drug users. The rising availability of app gambling coupled with its social, psychological, and cultural context may presents an alternative pathway to problem gambling. Bans on internet gambling and/or strict guidelines on the frequency of wagers and cash placed per wager, should be considered as viable methods to mitigate associated consequences.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1573-3602
Volume :
40
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of gambling studies
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38311694
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-024-10284-9