The link between recalled engagement with legal gambling products for youth and adult gambling problems

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Author(s): Newall, Philip W. S. ; Russell, Alex M. T. ; Sharman, Steve ; Walasek, Lukasz

Journal: Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: October 28, 2020

This research examined whether there was a link between recalled engagement with legal gambling products for youth and gambling problems as an adult. The researchers recruited 1057 UK adult gamblers to complete an online survey. Results revealed that the two most recalled gambling activities included coin push and crane grab machines. The least recalled activity was category D fruit machines, although 50% of participants recalled playing on those machines as a child. Overall, the more often participants recalled using these products, the higher was their risk of having gambling problems as an adult.

Citation: Newall, P. W. S., Russell, A. M. T., Sharman, S., & Walasek, L. (2020). Associations between recalled use of legal UK youth gambling products and adult disordered gambling. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00048

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2020.00048

Keywords: gambling legislation ; gambling policy ; legal age ; problem gambling ; underage gambling

Topics: Children and Youth ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Accessibility ; Gambling Exposure

Study Design: Observational: Cross-sectional

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: 1,057 UK adult gamblers who were born in the UK and ranged in age from 18 to 40 years old (60.4% female, average age = 29). All indicated that they had engaged in online gambling.

Related Resources:

Legal youth gambling April 2020

Study Funding:

This study was funded by a Research Development Fund awarded to Lukasz Walasek from the University of Warwick.