The links between adolescents’ engagement with simulated gambling games, monetary gambling, and problem gambling

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Author(s): Hing, Nerilee ; Dittman, Cassandra K. ; Russell, Alex M. T. ; King, Daniel L. ; Rockloff, Matthew J. ; Browne, Matthew ; Newall, Philip W. S. ; Greer, Nancy

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: December 16, 2022

Many adolescents play simulated gambling games. This study examined the links between youth participation in simulated gambling games, monetary gambling, and problem gambling. The researchers surveyed two samples of adolescents (12 to 17 years) in Australia. One sample was recruited through an online panel aggregator (Qualtrics), and the other was recruited through advertising. The findings in both samples showed that youth who play simulated gambling games are more likely to participate in monetary gambling. Participating in simulated gambling games is linked to a higher risk of problem gambling. Spending more time and money on simulated gambling games is linked to a higher risk of problem gambling. This held true even after taking into account the number of gambling activities played, age, gender, and impulsivity.

Citation: Hing, N., Dittman, C. K., Russell, A. M. T., King, D. L., Rockloff, M., Browne, M., Newall, P., & Greer, N. (2022). Adolescents who play and spend money in simulated gambling games are at heightened risk of gambling problems. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 10652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710652

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710652

Keywords: gambling disorder ; microtransactions ; social casino games ; video games ; young people ; youth

Topics: Children and Youth ; Priority Populations

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Social Demographics ; Exposure - Convergence of Gaming and Gambling ; Gambling Exposure ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Australia, New South Wales

Study Population: Adolescents between 12 and 17 years old who lived in New South Wales, Australia (N = 1667)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers recruited two nonprobability samples of adolescents living in New South Wales, Australia. This helped to make sure that there were enough participants with symptoms of problematic gambling to conduct the planned analyses. The first sample was recruited through Qualtrics. The second sample was recruited by emailing and asking past gambling research participants to invite adolescents in their household, and through online advertising (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). Participants had to be between 12-17 years. This means that they were under the legal gambling age of 18 years. Participants also had to have permission from a parent/guardian to participate and provide their own informed consent.

Study Funding:

Funding was provided by the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund, with support from the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling.