Impact of Internet gambling on problem gambling among adolescents in Italy: Findings from a large-scale nationally representative survey

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Canale, N., Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524, Vieno, A., Siciliano, V. and Molinaro, S., 2016. Impact of Internet gambling on problem gambling among adolescents in Italy: Findings from a large-scale nationally representative survey. Computers in Human Behavior, 57, pp. 99-106. ISSN 0747-5632

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.12.020

Abstract

Aims: The primary aim of the present study was to understand the impact of online gambling on gambling problems in a large-scale nationally representative sample of Italian youth, and to identify and then further examine a subgroup of online gamblers who reported higher rates of gambling problems. Design: Data from the ESPAD®Italia2013 (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) Study were used for analyses of adolescent Internet gambling. Setting: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by a representative sample of high school students, aged 15–19 years. Participants: A total of 14,778 adolescent students. Measurements: Respondents’ problem gambling severity; gambling behavior (participation in eight different gambling activities, the number of gambling occasions and the number of online gambling occasions, monthly gambling expenditure); Socio-demographics (e.g., family structure and financial status); and control variables were measured individually (i.e., use of the Internet for leisure activities and playing video games). Findings: Rates of problem gambling were five times higher among online gamblers than non-online gamblers. In addition, factors that increased the risk of becoming a problem online gambler included living with non-birth parents, having a higher perception of financial family status, being more involved with gambling, and the medium preferences of remote gamblers (e.g., Internet cafes, digital television, and video game console). Conclusions: The online gambling environment may pose significantly greater risk to vulnerable players. Family characteristics and contextual elements concerning youth Internet gambling (e.g., remote mediums) may play a key role in explaining problem online gambling among adolescents.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Computers in Human Behavior

Creators:

Canale, N., Griffiths, M.D., Vieno, A., Siciliano, V. and Molinaro, S.

Publisher:

Elsevier

Date:

2016

Volume:

ISSN: