Comparing erroneous beliefs said during online poker among men with different levels of problem gambling severity

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Author(s): Brochu, Priscilla ; Giroux, Isabelle ; Dufour, Julie ; Fortin-Guichard, Daniel ; Gagnon, Étienne ; Paquet, David ; Smith, Isabelle ; Sévigny, Serge

Journal: Journal of Gambling Issues

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: September 15, 2022

Poker involves some skill. This sets it apart from other gambling activities. This study compared erroneous beliefs of three groups of online poker players with different levels of gambling problem severity. The researchers invited 30 participants to play in an online poker tournament. Participants were placed into three groups of non-problem, at-risk, and problem gambling. The researchers examined the verbalizations of these groups while they played. Beliefs related to the illusion of control were found in all three groups. Participants with at-risk or problem gambling felt that they were more in control of the game’s outcomes (i.e., they underestimated the role of chance) and that they could make up for their losses. Both groups also thought that the online game was rigged.

Citation: Brochu, P., Giroux, I., Dufour, J., Fortin-Guichard, D., Gagnon, É., Paquet, D., Smith, I., & Sévigny, S. (2022). Erroneous beliefs verbalized while playing online poker. Journal of Gambling Issues, 49, 129-157. http://dx.doi.org/10.4309/jgi.2022.49.6

Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4309/jgi.2022.49.6

Keywords: emotions ; erroneous beliefs ; illusion of control ; online gambling ; online poker ; poker

Topics: Gambling Cognitions ; Online Gambling

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors ; Psychological - Judgement and Decision Making

Study Design: Qualitative: Content Analysis

Study Population: Men over the age of 18 who had played online poker for money at least once a month in the past six months (n = 30). None of the participants had ever received treatment for gambling problems. Most participants were from Quebec City (90%) and spoke French as a first language (97%). On average, participants were 26 years of age. Most were single (73%) and without children (77%). Over 70% of participants held a college or university degree. Over half of the participants (56%) had a personal annual income of $20,000 or less. Participants had played online poker for an average of 3.6 years.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers invited participants to play in an online poker tournament. Participants had to be (1) 18 years of age or older; (2) a man; (3) someone who had played online poker for money at least once a month for the last six months; and (4) someone who had never been treated for a gambling problem. The researchers recruited participants using: (1) a list of volunteers available at the Centre québecois d’excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu research center; (2) publication of advertisements in local newspapers, on the radio, and on a poker forum; (3) solicitations on the local sport network website; (4) emails to the community of students and employees at Univeristé Laval; (5) word of mouth.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by Fonds de la prévention et du traitement du jeu de l’Université Laval, the Fonds de recherche québécois-Société et culture (FRQ-SC) and the Ministére de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) du Québec.