In this study, the researchers did two experiments to investigate how gambling affects alcohol intake. They recruited men who were at least 19 years of age, and who were social drinkers and regular gamblers. None of the participants had a gambling problem. In both experiments, participants either played on slot machines or watched a television show (TV) for 30 minutes. In Experiment 1, participants had the choice to drink alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks for 30 minutes after gambling or watching TV. In Experiment 2, participants taste tested beer after gambling or watching TV. Participants who gambled on slot machines in Experiment 1 ordered more alcoholic drinks, drank faster, and had an increase in their intention to drink than participants who watched TV. The results of Experiment 2 did not support the results of Experiment 1. Participants drank about the same amount of alcohol regardless if they had gambled with wins, gambled with losses, or watched TV. The different findings might have been due to different study designs (e.g., drinking in a social setting or in isolation).
