Social casino games are free-to-play simulated gambling games available on social networking sites, such as Facebook. They have become popular among young people. In these games, users play with virtual credits instead of real money. However, there are concerns that playing social casino games may act as a gateway to real gambling. Some studies have reported that people transition to online gambling after they have experience playing social casino games.
Online gambling is considered a risky form of gambling due to its ease of access. Gamblers can go on the Internet to gamble at anytime and anywhere they want. Moreover, social casino games portray gambling as a positive and glamorous activity, which may attract young adults to try real gambling. It is important to understand the factors that motivate young adults to gamble online, including the role of social casino games. Through three focus groups with young adults between the ages of 18 to 24, the present study explored the potential link between social casino gaming and online gambling.
