Factors associated with at-risk and problem gambling among Italian adults

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Author(s): Mosconi, Giansanto ; Bertuccio, Paola ; Lugo, Alessandra ; Mastrobatista, Luisa ; Mortali, Claudia ; Pichini, Simona ; Vecchio, Riccardo ; Cecconami, Lorella ; Molinaro, Sabrina ; Gallus, Silvano ; Odone, Anna

Journal: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: August 28, 2025

This study examined the factors associated with at-risk or problem (ARoP) gambling in Italy. The researchers used data from 1,060 Italian adults (aged 18 and older) who reported gambling in the past year. In total, 17% of respondents reported experiencing ARoP gambling. There was no difference in the likelihood of ARoP gambling between women and men. Playing video games was not associated with ARoP gambling.

ARoP gambling was more common among people who were single, smoked, or belonged to a high or low socioeconomic status. People who gambled online or both online and offline were more likely to have ARoP gambling than those who gambled offline only. ARoP gambling was more likely among those who engaged in electronic gambling machines, virtual betting, poker, lotteries, and sports betting. Gambling in three or more formats, or gambling weekly, was also linked with a greater likelihood of ARoP gambling.

Citation: Molinaro, S., Bertuccio, P., Lugo, A., Mastrobatista, L., Mortali, C., Pichini, S., Vecchio, R., Cecconami, L., Molinaro, S., Gallus, S., & Odone, A. (2025). When do the stakes get higher? Examining factors associated with at-risk or problem gambling in a large sample of Italian adult recent gamblers. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01472-8

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-025-01472-8

Keywords: gambling ; problem gambling ; Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) ; risk factors

Topics: Cultural Factors ; Gambling Assessment

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Resources - Risk Assessment ; Social - Social Demographics ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Italy

Study Population: Italian adults (18+ years) who gambled in the past year (n=1060)

Sampling Procedure: Data were drawn from two surveys conducted in 2022 and 2023 by DOXA, the Italian branch of the Worldwide Independent Network/Gallup International Association (WIN/GIA). Probabilistic sampling was used in both surveys.

Study Funding:

Open access funding provided by Università degli Studi di Pavia within the CRUI-CARE Agreement. This work was supported by the Italian National Institute of Health.