How prevalence and types of criminal convictions vary with gambling behaviour

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Author(s): Lind, Kalle ; Hagfors, Heli ; Salonen, Anne H.

Journal: Addiction Research & Theory

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: September 24, 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the connections between gambling behaviour and prevalence and types of criminal convictions. Data from a total of 3993 respondents were used. This dataset combined responses from the Finnish Gambling 2019 population survey and register-based data. The findings show that about 14% of respondents had one or more criminal convictions. Convictions were more common among men (22%) than women (6%). Age, gender, and social disadvantage were strongly linked to having convictions. Engaging in at-risk gambling and risky alcohol use were also linked to having convictions. Respondents who gambled to escape and those played electronic gaming machines were more likely to have multiple convictions in general and to have financial or property crime convictions.

Citation: Lind, K., Hagfors, H., & Salonen, A. H. (2023). Gambling behavior and criminal convictions: A register-based investigation. Addiction Research & Theory. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2023.2230877

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2023.2230877

Keywords: conviction ; crime ; gambling ; gambling motivations ; gambling preferences

Topics: Comorbidities ; Crime and Deviance

Conceptual Framework Factors: Types - Motivational Characteristics ; Social - Deviance ; Social Factors

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Finland

Study Population: This study used data from 3,993 participants who completed the Finnish Gambling 2019 population survey. Participants were 15- to 74- year-olds living in mainland Finland. People living in institutions (e.g., prisoners, the infirm) were excluded. Participants whose native language was not Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi were excluded.

Sampling Procedure: Data from the Finnish Gambling 2019 population survey (n=3994) were used in this study. Using the Population Register Center database, the data collection process involved systematic random sampling to invite 7800 potential participants to complete a computer-assisted telephone interview. People living in institutions (e.g., prisoners, the infirm) were excluded. Participants whose native language was not Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi were excluded. The researchers combined the survey data with register-based data on criminal convictions drawn from Statistics Finland.

Study Funding:

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland, funded the Finnish Gambling 2019 population study as well as the daily work of Kalle Lind and Anne Salonen. Heli Hagfors received funding granted by the Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies.