The relationship between different types of gambling and problem gambling in Japan

View Open Access Article View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Yoshioka, Takashi ; So, Ryuhei ; Noda, Tatsuya ; Kido, Moritoshi ; Ito, Chieko ; Nakaya, Tomoki ; Funada, Satoshi ; Tsutsumi, Shiori ; Tabuchi, Takahiro

Journal: Addictive Behaviors Reports

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: May 29, 2025

In this study, the researchers looked at the types of gambling activities that are related to a greater likelihood of problem gambling in Japan, and how this might differ by age and gender. The researchers analyzed data from 12,955 participants between 15 and 82 years of age who had gambled in the past year in Japan. Participants completed an online survey about their demographic characteristics and gambling habits in February 2023. Online sports betting, offline and online casino gambling, and cryptocurrency trading were associated with a greater likelihood of problem gambling. Females who engaged in these activities were more likely than males to experience problem gambling. Younger people who engaged in offline casino gambling were more likely than older people to experience problem gambling. The findings can inform public health policies in Japan that regulate and restrict gambling activities.

Citation: Yoshioka, T., So, R., Noda, T., Kido, M., Ito, C., Nakaya, T., Funada, S., Tsutsumi, S., & Tabuchi, T. (2025). Association of gambling activities and modalities with problem gambling in Japan: A nationwide cross-sectional online survey-based study. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 21, 100595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100595

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100595

Keywords: addictive behaviour ; casinos ; cryptocurrency ; gambling ; online gambling ; problem gambling

Topics: Online Gambling ; Venue/Casino

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Japan

Study Population: People between 15 and 82 years of age who were living in Japan and had gambled in the past year (n = 12,955).

Sampling Procedure: The data were obtained from the latest survey of a longitudinal study in 2023. Participants were recruited using a survey panel of a Japanese internet research agency.

Study Funding:

Funding for this study was provided by the Health Labor Sciences Research Grants and the JST Grant.