Are erroneous gambling beliefs the main determinants of problem gambling?

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Author(s): Leonard, Carrie A. ; Williams, Robert J. ; McGrath, Daniel S.

Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: May 14, 2021

Gambling fallacies are erroneous gambling beliefs. Correcting gambling fallacies has been the focus of many treatments for problem gambling. However, reducing gambling fallacies does not necessarily lead to a change in gambling behaviour. This study sought to understand the role of gambling fallacies as compared to other factors known to contribute to problem gambling. The researchers used data from a large cohort of Canadian adults. The results showed that gambling fallacies were common in all participants, not just those with problem gambling. Gambling fallacies predicted problem gambling both currently and in the future, but there were other stronger predictors. Thus, the researchers suggested that treatments should not focus exclusively on correcting gambling fallacies.

Citation: Leonard, C. A., Williams, R. J., & McGrath, D. S. (2021). Gambling fallacies: Predicting problem gambling in a national sample. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000673

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000673

Keywords: erroneous beliefs ; gambling ; gambling fallacies ; problem gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological Factors ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making

Response Rate: Baseline response rate unknown; follow-up rate = 55.9% (of the 8,414 participants who agreed to be recontacted)

Study Design: Longitudinal

Study Population: Canadian adults aged 18 and older (n = 10,199 at baseline, n = 4,707 at follow-up)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from LEO, Leger Opinion’s registered pool of online panelists. The panel pool is structured to be geographically and demographically representative of the adult (18+) population in Canada.

Study Funding:

This study was as part of the AGRI National Project (ANP), a national study that received funding from the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research, the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse and Addiction, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute.