Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Serious Games
Date Submitted: Mar 25, 2021
Date Accepted: Sep 24, 2021
Use of Gambling Services within the World of Gaming – Correlates with Individual Characteristics and Problem Gambling
ABSTRACT
Background:
Gambling within the world of gaming is an emerging phenomenon encountered in the overlap between the fields of gambling and gaming. While sharing common conceptual characteristics with traditional forms of gambling, and seemingly targeting younger segments of the population, gambling in gaming is presently not falling under worldwide legal restrictions. The current research base on the subject points to higher degrees of problematic behaviors in terms of gambling and gaming, as well as poorer mental health, but conducted studies in the area are few, prompting for further research regarding individual characteristics and potential comorbid conditions associated with involvement in this activity.
Objective:
Hence, the aim of the present study is to investigate correlations between the use of gambling services within the world of gaming and individual characteristics as well as problem gambling.
Methods:
A cross-sectional web-survey was distributed to an existing panel of online respondents residing in Sweden, reflecting the general population. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests, followed by a logistic regression analysis model, were used in order to determine independent variables associated with gambling in the context of gaming.
Results:
Among 1984 respondents, 2.9% reported engagement in gambling within gaming the past year. Significant associations were found between gambling in gaming and male sex, younger age, history of treatment seeking for alcohol problems and higher Gaming Addiction Scale scores.
Conclusions:
The demonstrated findings of the present study have strengthened previously found associations between gambling in gaming and younger age, male sex and problematic gaming behaviors. Additionally, an association was found between engagement in gambling services within computer games and a history of treatment seeking due to alcohol problems, which should be considered as an insight that expands the current scientific knowledge about how individuals involved with this activity differ from their counterparts in the general population, in terms of individual characteristics and co-morbidities.
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