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Open Access 01-06-2017 | Review Paper

Prevalence of Adolescent Problem Gambling: A Systematic Review of Recent Research

Authors: Filipa Calado, Joana Alexandre, Mark D. Griffiths

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Previous research has shown that gambling is a popular activity among adolescents. Following a rapid expansion of legalized gambling opportunities and the emergence of new forms of gambling, many researchers have carried out studies on adolescent gambling and problem gambling. The present paper reviews studies that have been conducted worldwide since 2000, and then presents a more detailed picture of adolescent gambling research in Europe, by providing a country-by country analysis. After an extensive search on academic databases and following an exclusion process, 44 studies were identified. The findings showed that 0.2–12.3 % of youth meet criteria for problem gambling, notwithstanding differences among assessment instruments, cut-offs, and timeframes. However, despite this variability, several demographic characteristics were associated with adolescent gambling involvement and problem gambling. It is concluded that a small but significant minority of adolescents have gambling-related problems. Such findings will hopefully encourage more research into youth gambling to further understand the determinants of this phenomenon.

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Title: Prevalence of Adolescent Problem Gambling: A Systematic Review of Recent Research
Authors: Filipa Calado
Joana Alexandre
Mark D. Griffiths
Publication date: 01-06-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 2/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9627-5

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Prevalence of Adolescent Problem Gambling: A Systematic Review of Recent Research

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