Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Addiction Reports 3/2016

01-09-2016 | Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)

Adolescent Gambling and Problem Gambling: Prevalence, Current Issues, and Concerns

Authors: Paul Delfabbro, Daniel L. King, Jeffrey L. Derevensky

Published in: Current Addiction Reports | Issue 3/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The prevalence of adolescent gambling and problem gambling and a number of emerging issues impacting adolescent problem gambling are explored.

Recent Findings

International studies of youth suggest that in spite of prohibitions, underage individuals are engaged in a wide array of gambling activities, with between 4 and 8 % experiencing significant gambling-related problems. Youth gambling preferences are often dependent upon their availability, accessibility, and social acceptability. Emerging trends and concerns are focused upon online gambling, simulated forms of gambling, and the promotion of gambling through social media.

Summary

While adolescent problem gamblers are not a homogeneous group, there is clear evidence that multiple factors play an important role in the prevalence, age of onset, and types of gambling in which youth participate. Technological advances through the increased accessibility of online and digital technologies present new gambling opportunities for youth.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Shaffer HJ, Hall MN, Vander BJ. Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: a research synthesis. Am J Public Health. 1999;89(9):1369–76.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Shaffer HJ, Hall MN, Vander BJ. Estimating the prevalence of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada: a research synthesis. Am J Public Health. 1999;89(9):1369–76.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.•
go back to reference Volberg RA, Gupta R, Griffiths MD, Ólason DT, Delfabbro P. An international perspective on youth gambling prevalence studies. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2010;22(1):3–38. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the adolescent gambling literature up until 2010. It includes separate summaries of findings from different parts of the world as well as conclusions, methodological commentary and suggestions for future research.PubMed Volberg RA, Gupta R, Griffiths MD, Ólason DT, Delfabbro P. An international perspective on youth gambling prevalence studies. Int J Adolesc Med Health. 2010;22(1):3–38. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the adolescent gambling literature up until 2010. It includes separate summaries of findings from different parts of the world as well as conclusions, methodological commentary and suggestions for future research.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Lambos C, Delfabbro PH, Pulgies S. Adolescent gambling in South Australia. Report prepared on behalf of the Department for Education and Children’s Services for the Independent Gambling Authority of South Australia. 2007. Lambos C, Delfabbro PH, Pulgies S. Adolescent gambling in South Australia. Report prepared on behalf of the Department for Education and Children’s Services for the Independent Gambling Authority of South Australia. 2007.
4.•
go back to reference Räsänen T, Lintonen T, Konu A. Gambling and problem behavior among 14- to 16-year-old boys and girls in Finland. J Gamb Issues. 2015;31:1–22. doi:10.4309/jgi.2015.31.1. This study represents one of the largest ever adolescent gambling surveys to include gambling measures. In this study, 101,167 children in Grade 8 and 9 were sampled from a large School Health Promotion Study in Finland.CrossRef Räsänen T, Lintonen T, Konu A. Gambling and problem behavior among 14- to 16-year-old boys and girls in Finland. J Gamb Issues. 2015;31:1–22. doi:10.​4309/​jgi.​2015.​31.​1. This study represents one of the largest ever adolescent gambling surveys to include gambling measures. In this study, 101,167 children in Grade 8 and 9 were sampled from a large School Health Promotion Study in Finland.CrossRef
5.•
go back to reference Cook S, Turner NE, Ballon B, Paglia-Boak A, Murray R, Adlaf EM, et al. Problem gambling among Ontario students: associations with substance abuse, mental health problems, suicide attempts, and delinquent behaviours. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(4):1121–34. doi:10.1007/s10899-014-9483-0. This study is one of the largest Canadian studies published in recent years and provided opportunities to examine the relationship between adolescent gambling and other at-risk behaviours and well-being measures.CrossRefPubMed Cook S, Turner NE, Ballon B, Paglia-Boak A, Murray R, Adlaf EM, et al. Problem gambling among Ontario students: associations with substance abuse, mental health problems, suicide attempts, and delinquent behaviours. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(4):1121–34. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-014-9483-0. This study is one of the largest Canadian studies published in recent years and provided opportunities to examine the relationship between adolescent gambling and other at-risk behaviours and well-being measures.CrossRefPubMed
6.•
go back to reference Forrest D, McHale IG. Gambling and problem gambling among young adolescents in Great Britain. J Gambl Stud. 2012;28(4):607–22. doi:10.1007/s10899-011-9277-6. This paper describes one of the largest British surveys of adolescent gambling. It involves 8,958 students aged 11–15 years of age drawn from 201 randomly selected schools and uses validated measures such as the DSM-IV-MR-J and specifically examines whether young people had spent money on gambling in the previous 7 days.CrossRefPubMed Forrest D, McHale IG. Gambling and problem gambling among young adolescents in Great Britain. J Gambl Stud. 2012;28(4):607–22. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-011-9277-6. This paper describes one of the largest British surveys of adolescent gambling. It involves 8,958 students aged 11–15 years of age drawn from 201 randomly selected schools and uses validated measures such as the DSM-IV-MR-J and specifically examines whether young people had spent money on gambling in the previous 7 days.CrossRefPubMed
7.•
go back to reference Hanss D, Mentzoni RA, Blaszczynski A, Molde H, Torsheim T, Pallesen S. Prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in a representative sample of Norwegian 17-Year-Olds. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(3):659–78. doi:10.1007/s10899-014-9455-4. This study involved 2059 17-year olds identified randomly via a national registry search. This study highlights the diversity of methodologies in adolescent research in that this study uses the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and asks about gambling in the previous month.CrossRefPubMed Hanss D, Mentzoni RA, Blaszczynski A, Molde H, Torsheim T, Pallesen S. Prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in a representative sample of Norwegian 17-Year-Olds. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(3):659–78. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-014-9455-4. This study involved 2059 17-year olds identified randomly via a national registry search. This study highlights the diversity of methodologies in adolescent research in that this study uses the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and asks about gambling in the previous month.CrossRefPubMed
8.•
go back to reference Fröberg F, Hallqvist J, Tengström A. Psychosocial health and gambling problems among men and women aged 16–24 years in the Swedish National Public Health Survey. Eur J Pub Health. 2013;23(3):427–33. doi:10.1093/eurpub/cks129. This study involved 2,223 school students surveyed in class from grade 6 to 10 and assessed problem gambling using the SOGS-RA and participation rates among Swedish youth.CrossRef Fröberg F, Hallqvist J, Tengström A. Psychosocial health and gambling problems among men and women aged 16–24 years in the Swedish National Public Health Survey. Eur J Pub Health. 2013;23(3):427–33. doi:10.​1093/​eurpub/​cks129. This study involved 2,223 school students surveyed in class from grade 6 to 10 and assessed problem gambling using the SOGS-RA and participation rates among Swedish youth.CrossRef
9.•
go back to reference Raisamo S, Halme J, Murto A, Lintonen T. Gambling-related harms among adolescents: a population-based study. J Gambl Stud. 2013;29(1):151–9. doi:10.1007/s10899-012-9298-9. This paper describes the findings of a national Finnish study (n = 4566) of 12–18 year olds from the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey. The study examines gambling in the last 6 months and examines gambling-related harm.CrossRefPubMed Raisamo S, Halme J, Murto A, Lintonen T. Gambling-related harms among adolescents: a population-based study. J Gambl Stud. 2013;29(1):151–9. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-012-9298-9. This paper describes the findings of a national Finnish study (n = 4566) of 12–18 year olds from the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey. The study examines gambling in the last 6 months and examines gambling-related harm.CrossRefPubMed
11.•
go back to reference Stinchfield R. Gambling among Minnesota public school students from 1992 to 2007: declines in youth gambling. Psychol Addict Behav. 2011;25(1):108–17. doi:10.1037/a0021266. The Minnesota student survey has been conducted from 1992 to 2007 and has included a number of gambling-related questions and represents one of the few published studies showing trends in adolescent participation over two decades.CrossRefPubMed Stinchfield R. Gambling among Minnesota public school students from 1992 to 2007: declines in youth gambling. Psychol Addict Behav. 2011;25(1):108–17. doi:10.​1037/​a0021266. The Minnesota student survey has been conducted from 1992 to 2007 and has included a number of gambling-related questions and represents one of the few published studies showing trends in adolescent participation over two decades.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Abbott M. Links between gambling availability, participation and harm: a 28-year New Zealand case-study and relevant findings from Sweden and Victoria. Paper presented at the National Association for Gambling Studies Conference, Adelaide; 2015. Abbott M. Links between gambling availability, participation and harm: a 28-year New Zealand case-study and relevant findings from Sweden and Victoria. Paper presented at the National Association for Gambling Studies Conference, Adelaide; 2015.
13.
15.•
go back to reference Spritzer DT, Rohde LA, Benzano DB, Laranjeira RR, Pinsky I, Zaleski M, et al. Prevalence and correlates of gambling problems among a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adolescents. J Gambl Stud. 2011;27(4):649–61. doi:10.1007/s10899-010-9236-7. The paper describes the results of national Brazilian health survey that included 485 adolescents aged 14–17 years who described their involvement in gambling. The study used the DSM-IV-MR-J as its principal measure of pathological gambling.CrossRefPubMed Spritzer DT, Rohde LA, Benzano DB, Laranjeira RR, Pinsky I, Zaleski M, et al. Prevalence and correlates of gambling problems among a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adolescents. J Gambl Stud. 2011;27(4):649–61. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-010-9236-7. The paper describes the results of national Brazilian health survey that included 485 adolescents aged 14–17 years who described their involvement in gambling. The study used the DSM-IV-MR-J as its principal measure of pathological gambling.CrossRefPubMed
16.••
17.••
go back to reference Carbonneau R, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Tremblay RE. Variety of gambling activities from adolescence to age 30 and association with gambling problems: a 15‐year longitudinal study of a general population sample. Addiction. 2015;110(12):1985–93. doi:10.1111/add.13083. This longitudinal analysis identified different gambling trajectories, including a high trajectory of young people (8%) who gambled on more activities at age 15 and who were found to be more likely to gamble more widely at age 30 and to experience problems.CrossRefPubMed Carbonneau R, Vitaro F, Brendgen M, Tremblay RE. Variety of gambling activities from adolescence to age 30 and association with gambling problems: a 15‐year longitudinal study of a general population sample. Addiction. 2015;110(12):1985–93. doi:10.​1111/​add.​13083. This longitudinal analysis identified different gambling trajectories, including a high trajectory of young people (8%) who gambled on more activities at age 15 and who were found to be more likely to gamble more widely at age 30 and to experience problems.CrossRefPubMed
18.••
go back to reference Delfabbro P, King D, Griffiths MD. From adolescent to adult gambling: an analysis of longitudinal gambling patterns in South Australia. J Gambl Stud. 2014;30(3):547–63. doi:10.1007/s10899-013-9384-7. This study is one of the few Australian studies to track adolescent gambling patterns from adolescence into adulthood. The paper examines the stability of gambling behaviours and the extent to which age 15 behaviour predicts subsequent behaviour.CrossRefPubMed Delfabbro P, King D, Griffiths MD. From adolescent to adult gambling: an analysis of longitudinal gambling patterns in South Australia. J Gambl Stud. 2014;30(3):547–63. doi:10.​1007/​s10899-013-9384-7. This study is one of the few Australian studies to track adolescent gambling patterns from adolescence into adulthood. The paper examines the stability of gambling behaviours and the extent to which age 15 behaviour predicts subsequent behaviour.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Jessor R. New perspectives on adolescent risk behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1998.CrossRef Jessor R. New perspectives on adolescent risk behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1998.CrossRef
20.•
go back to reference Derevensky JL, Gilbeau L. Adolescent gambling: twenty-five years of research. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):4–12. Derevensky JL, Gilbeau L. Adolescent gambling: twenty-five years of research. Can J Addict. 2015;6(2):4–12.
21.
go back to reference Gupta R, Derevensky J. Defining and assessing binge gambling. JL Derevensky, DT Shek & J Merrick (Eds.), Youth Gambling: The Hidden Addiction. Berlin: De Gruyter; 2011:79–97. Gupta R, Derevensky J. Defining and assessing binge gambling. JL Derevensky, DT Shek & J Merrick (Eds.), Youth Gambling: The Hidden Addiction. Berlin: De Gruyter; 2011:79–97.
22.
go back to reference Gupta R, Nower L, Derevensky JL, Blaszczynski A, Faregh N, Temcheff C. Problem gambling in adolescents: an examination of the Pathways Model. J Gambl Stud. 2013;29(3):575–88.CrossRefPubMed Gupta R, Nower L, Derevensky JL, Blaszczynski A, Faregh N, Temcheff C. Problem gambling in adolescents: an examination of the Pathways Model. J Gambl Stud. 2013;29(3):575–88.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Hardoon K, Derevensky J, Gupta R. Empirical vs. perceived measures of gambling severity: why adolescents don’t present themselves for treatment. Addict Behav. 2003;28:933–46.CrossRefPubMed Hardoon K, Derevensky J, Gupta R. Empirical vs. perceived measures of gambling severity: why adolescents don’t present themselves for treatment. Addict Behav. 2003;28:933–46.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Internet gambling amongst adolescents: a growing concern. IJMA. 2007;5(2):93–101. Derevensky JL, Gupta R. Internet gambling amongst adolescents: a growing concern. IJMA. 2007;5(2):93–101.
26.••
go back to reference Wood RT, Williams RJ. Internet gambling: prevalence, patterns, problems, and policy options. Final report prepared for the Ontario problem gambling research centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 2009. Findings from a large Canadian and international survey, including a total of more than 20,000 respondents, are presented. The survey involved measurement of Internet and land-based gambling activities. Wood RT, Williams RJ. Internet gambling: prevalence, patterns, problems, and policy options. Final report prepared for the Ontario problem gambling research centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 2009. Findings from a large Canadian and international survey, including a total of more than 20,000 respondents, are presented. The survey involved measurement of Internet and land-based gambling activities.
27.••
go back to reference Gainsbury S, King D, Delfabbro P, Hing N, Russell A, Blaszczynski A, Derevensky J. The use of social media in gambling. Gambling Research Australia. 2015. This report summarizes a major Australian government-funded project on the various intersections of gambling and social media. One of its objectives was to identify the exposure and use of social media and gambling products. It features a large survey of adolescent gambling activities in social media and land-based activities. Gainsbury S, King D, Delfabbro P, Hing N, Russell A, Blaszczynski A, Derevensky J. The use of social media in gambling. Gambling Research Australia. 2015. This report summarizes a major Australian government-funded project on the various intersections of gambling and social media. One of its objectives was to identify the exposure and use of social media and gambling products. It features a large survey of adolescent gambling activities in social media and land-based activities.
28.
go back to reference King, D. L. & Delfabbro, P. H. [unpublished]). Parental supervision of adolescents’ commercial and simulated gambling activities. Manuscript under review. King, D. L. & Delfabbro, P. H. [unpublished]). Parental supervision of adolescents’ commercial and simulated gambling activities. Manuscript under review.
29.••
go back to reference King DL, Delfabbro PH, Kaptsis D, Zwaans T. Adolescent simulated gambling via digital and social media: an emerging problem. Comput Hum Behav. 2014;31:305–13. This paper summarises the findings from a survey of secondary school students in South Australia that examined both involvement in gambling for money as well as simulated gambling activities.CrossRef King DL, Delfabbro PH, Kaptsis D, Zwaans T. Adolescent simulated gambling via digital and social media: an emerging problem. Comput Hum Behav. 2014;31:305–13. This paper summarises the findings from a survey of secondary school students in South Australia that examined both involvement in gambling for money as well as simulated gambling activities.CrossRef
31.•
go back to reference King DL, Delfabbro PH. Early exposure to digital simulated gambling: a review and conceptual model. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;55:198–206. This paper presents a conceptual model for the risks and protective factors associated with exposure simulated gambling activities. Clear guidelines for future research agendas are described, including discussion of mechanisms that might influence gambling behavior.CrossRef King DL, Delfabbro PH. Early exposure to digital simulated gambling: a review and conceptual model. Comput Hum Behav. 2016;55:198–206. This paper presents a conceptual model for the risks and protective factors associated with exposure simulated gambling activities. Clear guidelines for future research agendas are described, including discussion of mechanisms that might influence gambling behavior.CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Ipsos MORI. British survey of children, the national lottery and gambling 2008–09: report of a quantitative survey. London: National Lottery Commission; 2009. Ipsos MORI. British survey of children, the national lottery and gambling 2008–09: report of a quantitative survey. London: National Lottery Commission; 2009.
34.
go back to reference Griffiths MD, Wood RT. Adolescent Internet gambling: preliminary results of a national survey. Educ Health. 2007;25(2):23–7. Griffiths MD, Wood RT. Adolescent Internet gambling: preliminary results of a national survey. Educ Health. 2007;25(2):23–7.
35.
go back to reference Griffiths MD. Gaming convergence: further legal issues and psychosocial impact. Gaming Law Rev Econ. 2011;15(7–8):461–4.CrossRef Griffiths MD. Gaming convergence: further legal issues and psychosocial impact. Gaming Law Rev Econ. 2011;15(7–8):461–4.CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Owens MD. If it isn’t gambling, how far should gaming regulation Go? Quasi-gambling, “Freemium”, and State Control. Gaming Law Rev Econ. 2013;17(7):506–10.CrossRef Owens MD. If it isn’t gambling, how far should gaming regulation Go? Quasi-gambling, “Freemium”, and State Control. Gaming Law Rev Econ. 2013;17(7):506–10.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Gainsbury S, Russell A, Hing N. An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: a comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities. Comput Hum Behav. 2014;33:126–35.CrossRef Gainsbury S, Russell A, Hing N. An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: a comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities. Comput Hum Behav. 2014;33:126–35.CrossRef
39.
go back to reference Gupta R, Derevensky JL, Wohl M. A qualitative examination of online gambling culture among college students: factors influencing participation, maintenance and cessation. Las Vegas: International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking; 2013. Gupta R, Derevensky JL, Wohl M. A qualitative examination of online gambling culture among college students: factors influencing participation, maintenance and cessation. Las Vegas: International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking; 2013.
40.
go back to reference Kim HS, Wohl MJ, Salmon MM, Gupta R, Derevensky J. Do social casino gamers migrate to online gambling? An assessment of migration rate and potential predictors. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(4):1819–31.CrossRefPubMed Kim HS, Wohl MJ, Salmon MM, Gupta R, Derevensky J. Do social casino gamers migrate to online gambling? An assessment of migration rate and potential predictors. J Gambl Stud. 2015;31(4):1819–31.CrossRefPubMed
41.
go back to reference Parke A, Harris A, Parke J, Rigbye J, Blaszczynski A. Responsible marketing and advertising in gambling: a critical review. J Gambl Bus Econ. 2015;8(3):21–35. Parke A, Harris A, Parke J, Rigbye J, Blaszczynski A. Responsible marketing and advertising in gambling: a critical review. J Gambl Bus Econ. 2015;8(3):21–35.
42.••
go back to reference Gainsbury S, Hing N, Delfabbro PH, King DL. A taxonomy of gambling and casino games via social media and online technologies. Int Gambl Stud. 2014;14(2):196–213. This paper presents a useful summary of the taxonomic features of online gambling and gambling-like activities. There is a practice emphasis on features and boundaries between types of activities.CrossRef Gainsbury S, Hing N, Delfabbro PH, King DL. A taxonomy of gambling and casino games via social media and online technologies. Int Gambl Stud. 2014;14(2):196–213. This paper presents a useful summary of the taxonomic features of online gambling and gambling-like activities. There is a practice emphasis on features and boundaries between types of activities.CrossRef
43.
go back to reference King DL, Gainsbury SM, Delfabbro PH, Hing N, Abarbanel B. Distinguishing between gaming and gambling activities in addiction research. J Behav Addict. 2015;4(4):215–20.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral King DL, Gainsbury SM, Delfabbro PH, Hing N, Abarbanel B. Distinguishing between gaming and gambling activities in addiction research. J Behav Addict. 2015;4(4):215–20.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
44.
go back to reference Humphreys A, Latour KA. Framing the game: assessing the impact of cultural representations on consumer perceptions of legitimacy. J Consum Res. 2013;40(4):773–95.CrossRef Humphreys A, Latour KA. Framing the game: assessing the impact of cultural representations on consumer perceptions of legitimacy. J Consum Res. 2013;40(4):773–95.CrossRef
45.
go back to reference Derevensky JL, Gainsbury SM. Social casino gaming and adolescents: should we be concerned and is regulation in sight? Int J Law Psychiat. 2015. Derevensky JL, Gainsbury SM. Social casino gaming and adolescents: should we be concerned and is regulation in sight? Int J Law Psychiat. 2015.
Metadata
Title
Adolescent Gambling and Problem Gambling: Prevalence, Current Issues, and Concerns
Authors
Paul Delfabbro
Daniel L. King
Jeffrey L. Derevensky
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Current Addiction Reports / Issue 3/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2196-2952
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0105-z

Other articles of this Issue 3/2016

Current Addiction Reports 3/2016 Go to the issue

Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)

Populations at Risk for a Gambling Disorder: Older Adults