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The context of gambling is of great importance to gambling exposure and to social factors (discussed in 3.2 Social Factors). Apart from jurisdictions, communities, and localities, there are additional, more local contexts within which gambling exposures can vary. These contexts include families and workplaces, as well as reference, cultural, and religious groups. Typically, most people report being introduced to gambling within their family of origin. Commencing gambling at an early age is a risk factor for harmful gambling. People who commence gambling in late adolescence or adulthood more often report being introduced to gambling by external socialising agents including friends, advertising, work colleagues, and partners/spouses (Abbott, 2001a).
In the past, increases in gambling have most often been explained by availability of money, availability of gambling options (especially in the case of problem gamblers), and advertising (Abbott, 2001b). One study found that while adults who reported gambling before the age of 13 years were more likely to be current problem gamblers the same was true of people who reported starting gambling at the age of 25 years or older (Abbott & Volberg, 2000). Those introduced to gambling in their late teens and early adult years had a very low prevalence of harmful gambling, raising the possibility that initial participation might be lead to lower long term risk of harmful gambling. In a 2006 study, Turner et al found a non-linear (quadratic) relationship between age of gambling onset and problems (Turner, Zangeneh & Littman-Sharp. 2006). Most non-problem gamblers began to gamble between the ages of 18 and 23, while pathological gamblers began to gamble either before 18 or after 23. In both studies, it is possible that the elevated risk for later onset gamblers might have been a consequence of the relatively recent introduction of EGMs and casinos.
Spouses or partners and other family members are also most often mentioned as gambling companions, although this varies across venues, gambling forms, and population sectors (Abbott, 2000b). Adolescents and adults, who gamble frequently, particularly problem gamblers, report much higher levels of gambling participation in both current families or households and in their family of origin.
Substantial variation in gambling participation has been found across occupational and religious groups. Walker (1992) among others has cited sociological studies dating back to the 1950s that suggest ways in which work and other reference groups can encourage and discourage gambling. People working in the gambling industries may have an elevated risk for harmful gambling. Shaffer and Hall (2002) found high rates of harmful gambling among casino employees, especially younger and more recent employees. Longer-term employees had lower rates. They interpreted this as indicating elevated risk during early exposure, followed by adaptation.