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01-09-2009 | Original Paper

Is Video-Game Playing a Risk Factor for Pathological Gambling in Australian Adolescents?

Authors: Paul Delfabbro, Daniel King, Chrisi Lambos, Stan Puglies

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Very little research has been conducted to examine the relationship between video-game playing and gambling in adolescence. In this study, 2,669 adolescents aged 13–17 years were surveyed to obtained details of their involvement in gambling and video-game playing as well as a measure of pathological gambling (the DSM-IV-J). The results showed that, the frequency of video game playing was significantly related to pathological gambling, but that the effect size was very small and largely accounted for by the greater popularity of both activities amongst boys. There was some evidence for stronger associations between technologically similar activities, namely arcade video games and an interest in gaming machines, but other factors discussed in the paper may also account for this association. In summary, the findings suggested that playing video-games is unlikely to be a significant risk factor for pathological gambling during adolescence.

In Australia, students attend secondary school from Year 8 (age 13) to Year 12 (age 16–17 years). Students can undertake Year 12 over 2 years if they choose. The second year is called Year 13. Students in Year 13 are usually 17–18 years old.

Full Mean (SD)s for the 19 significant differences are available from the author, but not reported in the text in the interests of parsimony.

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Title: Is Video-Game Playing a Risk Factor for Pathological Gambling in Australian Adolescents?
Authors: Paul Delfabbro
Daniel King
Chrisi Lambos
Stan Puglies
Publication date: 01-09-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 3/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-009-9138-8

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Is Video-Game Playing a Risk Factor for Pathological Gambling in Australian Adolescents?

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