The role of online gambling venues as actors in facilitating gambling addiction

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Author(s): Torronen, Jukka ; Samuelsson, Eva ; Gunnarsson, Malin

Journal: International Journal of Drug Policy

Year Published: 2020

Date Added: December 25, 2020

Technology has changed the way people gamble, with online gambling becoming more frequent. Applying the actor-network theory, the researchers looked at the role of online gambling venues in the development of gambling disorder. They did so by analyzing 34 life stories of people who gamble online. Online gambling venues were found to facilitate gambling by increasing opportunities to gamble. Online gambling can be done anytime and anywhere. For example, people could gamble when they are sick or when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Given the way online gambling extends the scope of gambling through space and time, online gambling can easily intrude on people's everyday routines. By extending the location and time when people can gamble, online gambling can facilitate the development of gambling addiction.

Citation: Törrönen, J., Samuelsson, E., & Gunnarsson, M. (2020). Online gambling venues as relational actors in addiction: Applying the actor-network approach to life stories of online gamblers. International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102928

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102928

Keywords: addiction ; alcohol ; drugs ; lived experience ; online environments ; online gambling

Topics: Comorbidities ; Crime and Deviance ; Online Gambling ; Substance Use

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

Study Design: Other Qualitative

Geographic Coverage: Sweden

Study Population: N = 34 adults who gambled online

Sampling Procedure: Convenience sampling – Participants were recruited through self-help groups, treatment centres and Internet ads from various rural and urban parts of Sweden.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR; grant no 2018-01297).