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126 Gambling Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Gambling is a popular pastime that has been around for centuries. Whether it's placing bets on sports games, playing poker at a casino, or buying lottery tickets, the thrill of risking money in the hopes of winning big is something that many people enjoy.

If you're looking for essay topics related to gambling, you're in luck. We've compiled a list of 126 gambling essay topic ideas and examples to help inspire your next paper. From the ethics of gambling to the impact of online gambling on society, there are plenty of angles to explore in this fascinating topic.

• The history of gambling
• The psychology of gambling addiction
• The ethics of gambling
• The impact of gambling on society
• The economics of gambling
• The role of luck in gambling
• The legality of online gambling
• The relationship between gambling and crime
• The effects of gambling on mental health
• The role of gambling in popular culture
• The impact of gambling on families
• The regulation of gambling
• The social stigma of gambling
• The role of gambling in politics
• The impact of gambling on the economy
• The link between gambling and substance abuse
• The role of gambling in sports
• The impact of gambling on indigenous communities
• The relationship between gambling and religion
• The effects of gambling advertising
• The impact of gambling on tourism
• The relationship between gambling and technology
• The role of gambling in education
• The impact of gambling on the environment
• The link between gambling and mental illness
• The role of gambling in history
• The impact of gambling on the brain
• The relationship between gambling and poverty
• The effects of gambling on relationships
• The role of gambling in the criminal justice system
• The impact of gambling on youth
• The link between gambling and suicide
• The role of gambling in healthcare
• The impact of gambling on the elderly
• The relationship between gambling and gender
• The effects of gambling on personal finances
• The role of gambling in international relations
• The impact of gambling on education
• The link between gambling and public health
• The role of gambling in social welfare
• The impact of gambling on mental health services
• The relationship between gambling and social services
• The effects of gambling on community development
• The role of gambling in urban planning
• The impact of gambling on rural communities
• The link between gambling and economic development
• The role of gambling in environmental conservation
• The impact of gambling on cultural heritage
• The relationship between gambling and human rights
• The effects of gambling on social justice
• The role of gambling in international development
• The impact of gambling on global health
• The link between gambling and international trade
• The role of gambling in sustainable development
• The impact of gambling on climate change
• The relationship between gambling and poverty reduction
• The effects of gambling on gender equality
• The role of gambling in conflict resolution
• The impact of gambling on peacebuilding
• The link between gambling and human security
• The role of gambling in disaster response
• The impact of gambling on humanitarian aid
• The relationship between gambling and international law
• The effects of gambling on global governance
• The role of gambling in international organizations
• The impact of gambling on regional cooperation
• The link between gambling and international relations
• The role of gambling in diplomacy
• The impact of gambling on conflict prevention
• The relationship between gambling and peacekeeping
• The effects of gambling on peacebuilding
• The role of gambling in post-conflict reconstruction
• The impact of gambling on transitional justice
• The link between gambling and human rights
• The role of gambling in international criminal justice
• The impact of gambling on international humanitarian law
• The relationship between gambling and international human rights law
• The effects of gambling on international refugee law
• The role of gambling in international environmental law
• The impact of gambling on international trade law
• The link between gambling and international investment law
• The role of gambling in international economic law
• The impact of gambling on international financial law
• The relationship between gambling and international banking law
• The effects of gambling on international tax law
• The role of gambling in international competition law
• The impact of gambling on international antitrust law
• The link between gambling and international intellectual property law
• The role of gambling in international labor law
• The impact of gambling on international human rights law

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Gambling Essay Topics & Ideas

• Informative Essay Topics About Gambling
• Gambling Essay Topics for College Students

Gambling Essay Topics for High School Students

✒️ informative essay topics about gambling.

• A Problem of Teen Gambling
• Argument for Legalization of Gambling in Texas Research
• Bad habit – gambling
• Casino Gambling Legalization in Texas Research
• Casino Gambling Should Be Available in Viet Nam
• Cause and effect: gambling
• Cognitive Explanation of Gambling Addiction (10 Mark)
• Earmark Gambling Revenue Legislation in Illinois
• Economic Issues: Casino Gambling
• Economics: Gambling Industry
• Effects of Gambling Habit
• Effects of Gambling on Happiness
• Ethical Problems of Gambling Addiction
• Excessive Gambling Oral Presentation
• Fantasy Football: Gambling Regulation and Outlawing
• Gambling Addiction Research
• Gambling addiction’s effect on family
• Gambling and Addiction’s Effects on Neuroplasticity Research
• Gambling and Gaming Industry
• Gambling and Its Effect on Families
• Gambling and Public Policies
• Gambling as an Acceptable Form of Leisure

✨ Best gambling Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

• Gambling is it Right or Wrong? Gambling has been around forever, and I am sure it has always been a controversial issue. History and ethnography show us that, across societies of the past and present, gambling varies considerably with respect to its organization, social meanings, ….
• Complusive Gambling Compulsive gambling is a very addictive disease that can cost you more than its worth. So why do people become compulsive gamblers? In America 2-3% of adults are afflicted by this addiction. Four out of Five compulsive gamblers are men. Over 90% of ….
• Gambling and Abortion in the Context of Modern Society The term gambling has had many different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context in which it is used. Currently, in the first world countries, it has an economic definition meaning wagering money or something of material value. on ….
• Market failure on gambling In 1971, the state of Massachusetts approved the state-sanctioned lottery. It was argued back then that this was not the ideal way to increase revenue for the government but would instead lead to more financial problems and social disorder. Recent ….
• The Pros and Cons of Gambling Legalizing Whether or not to legalize gambling is a tough decision. The pros and cons of the question are almost equal, and while some say it will boost economy others say it can destroy it. No one argues that gambling is a big, profitable business, they only ….
• Night of Gambling Roulette: Illusions Versa Statistics Many years ago French mathematicians Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat helped some gamblers to understand chances in their gambling. Later Blaise Pascal proposed gambling machine which was a by-product of his perpetual motion devices. This machine ….
• Bad Habit – Gambling Bad Gambling Habits Gambling is a perfectly healthy hobby as long as gamblers are still in control of when to stop. To win at gambling, one must know when to quit, because quitting while you’re ahead is the best chance of winning at a casino. If ….
• Legalizing Casino Gambling in Texas Legalizing Casino Gambling in Texas Specific Purpose Statement: To persuade my class about why legalizing casino gambling in Texas is for the better. Thesis Statement: Legalizing casino gambling in the state of Texas would enhance society and will ….
• Harmful Gambling Gambling is prominent in todays society. This can be seen especially through politics. Everywhere voters are electing people to office who are pro gambling. William Thompson of the University of Nevada (1994) describes politicians by stating, Its ….
• Gambling in Guyana Is a Benefit to the Society I support the argument that gambling in Guyana is a benefit to the society. When I say gambling, I refer to legal gambling. I acknowledge that gambling can become an addictive activity on a personal basis and can lead one to bankruptcy. At the same ….
• Through the years, gambling has become America’s p Over 60 millionAmericans make some sort of wager every day. When compared to otherrecreations (in billions of dollars) in 1990, gambling institutions made2.2 more than magazine sales, 8.3 more than book sales, 20.9 more thantheaters, and a whopping 2….
• Legalize Gambling In Texas We have heard of stories where one pilot won lottery twice in a row. We have also heard of stories of greenhorn gamblers winning a thousand U.S. dollars worth in a one night casino stand. There are many advantages and disadvantages of setting up ….

✍ Gambling Essay Topics for College Students

• Gambling Benefits and Disadvantages
• Gambling Effect on a Person’s Life
• Gambling Effect on Nevadas Economy
• Gambling in Four Perspectives Report (Assessment)
• Gambling in Kentucky: Moral Obligations vs. the Economical Reasons
• Gambling in Ohio
• Gambling Industry: The TallTree2 Hotel Casino
• Gambling Legalization and Poverty
• Gambling on College Sports
• Gambling Projects: Impact on the Cultural Transformations in America
• Gambling Pros and Cons and Stages
• Gambling Should Be Illegal
• Gambling should be legalized
• Gambling: Debate against the Legislation of Gambling Editing
• History of Gambling in the US
• Impact of Gambling on the Bahamian Economy Quantitative Research
• Impact of Internet Use, Online Gaming, and Gambling Among College Students
• Internet Gambling and Its Impact on the Youth Research
• Internet Gambling Issue Description Research
• Is Gambling a Good Idea
• Is Gambling a Social Problem
• Is gambling immoral?
• Jay Cohen’s Gambling Company and American Laws Case Study
• Legalization of Casino Gambling in Hong Kong
• Legalizing gambling in Hawaii
• Modernization of Gambling Games in Philippines
• Negative Effects of Problem Gambling
• Online Gambling Addiction
• Online Gambling and Money
• Online Gambling Concept
• Overview of Gambling Games Evolution from Early Centuries to Modern Times
• Positive Aspects of Gambling Essay (Critical Writing)
• Problem gambling and argument
• Report on Security Incident in Gambling Industry
• Research of Who is Responsible for Angie Bachmann Gambling Addiction
• Restrictions on Gambling
• Revision of Problem Gambling Case Study
• Should Gambling be Legalized Or Not?
• Symbolism of Gambling and Luck in ‘Flowers of Evil’ and ‘Gambler’
• The Advantages of an Online Gambling Club Versus a Land-based Clubhouse
• The Connection of Chemical Addiction with Pathological Gambling
• The Effects Of Gambling on a Worldwilde Scale
• The effects of gambling on society
• The Era of Legalized Gambling
• The Gambling and Its Influence on The Individual and Society
• The gambling industry
• The Negative Aspects of Gambling in Esports
• The Positive Impact of Controlled Casino Gambling in Singapore
• The Problem of Gambling in the Modern Society as the Type of Addiction
• The Psychology of Fruit Machine Gambling
• The Psychology of Lottery Gambling Research
• The Thrill of it All: Sports Gambling in the U.S.
• Video Reaction Paper on Gambling
• What the Bible Says About Gambling
• Year 12 English oral gambling ban

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Writing Prompts about Gambling

• 🗃️ Essay topics
• ❓ Research questions
• 📝 Topic sentences
• 🪝 Essay hooks
• 📑 Thesis statements
• 🔀 Hypothesis examples
• 🧐 Personal statements

🔗 References

🗃️ gambling essay topics.

• The impact of gambling on individuals and society.
• The ethical considerations of gambling.
• The correlation between gambling and mental health issues.
• The role of government in regulating the gambling industry.
• The economic implications of gambling on local communities.
• The cultural and social aspects of gambling.
• The history and evolution of gambling throughout the centuries.
• The influence of technology on the gambling industry.
• The legality and morality of online gambling.
• The relationship between gambling and crime rates.
• The effects of gambling advertising on vulnerable populations.
• The benefits and drawbacks of casino tourism and gambling.
• The relationship between gambling and sports.
• The impact of gambling on professional athletes.
• The role of gambling in Native American communities.
• The effectiveness of responsible gambling measures.
• The psychology of gambling addiction.
• The link between gambling and financial instability.
• The societal stigmatization of problem gamblers.
• The potential for gambling to be a form of entertainment or a harmful addiction.

❓ Gambling Essay Questions

• What factors contribute to the development of gambling addiction?
• How does the accessibility of online gambling affect rates of gambling addiction?
• What are the long-term consequences of gambling addiction on individuals and their families?
• How does the legalization of gambling impact local economies?
• What strategies are effective in preventing and treating gambling addiction?
• How does the cultural context influence attitudes and behaviors towards gambling?
• How does the prevalence of gambling differ across different demographic groups?
• What are the potential economic and social benefits of responsible gambling initiatives?
• How do gambling advertisements influence gambling behaviors and attitudes?
• What are the social and psychological factors that contribute to problem gambling relapse?
• What are the financial implications of problem gambling on individuals and society?
• What are the social and economic consequences of gambling-related bankruptcies?
• How do different gambling venues influence gambling behaviors?
• What are the effects of gambling on academic performance and educational outcomes?
• How does the regulation of gambling vary across different countries?

📝 Topic Sentences about Gambling

• Gambling addiction is a pressing issue that affects individuals and their families, leading to devastating consequences both financially and emotionally.
• The rapid expansion of online gambling platforms has raised concerns about its accessibility and potential for exacerbating gambling addiction rates.
• The economic impact of the gambling industry on local communities is a complex issue, with both benefits and drawbacks to consider in terms of job creation, tourism, and social costs.

🪝 Top Hooks for Gambling Paper

📍 anecdotal hooks about gambling for essay.

• Picture this: a bustling casino floor filled with flashing lights, the sound of slot machines chiming, and the exhilarating cheers of a crowd as the roulette ball lands on their lucky number. It was in this electrifying atmosphere that I had my first taste of gambling, an experience that left me both captivated and intrigued by the allure of chance.
• Imagine sitting around a poker table with a group of friends, each of us with a stack of chips in front of us. The tension in the room was palpable as we strategized, bluffed, and outwitted each other. Little did I know that this friendly game of cards would ignite a lifelong fascination with gambling, and a journey that would take me from friendly competitions to the glittering casinos of Las Vegas.

📍 Statistical Hooks on Gambling

• According to a recent study, it is estimated that over 2% of the global population struggles with gambling addiction, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
• Statistics reveal that the annual revenue generated by the global gambling industry exceeds $400 billion, underscoring its significant economic influence and raising questions about its social implications.

📍 Quotation Hooks on Gambling for Essay

• “Gambling: the sure way of getting nothing for something.” – Wilson Mizner
• “In gambling, the many must lose in order that the few may win.” – George Bernard Shaw

📑 Good Gambling Thesis Statements

✔️ argumentative thesis samples on gambling.

• Despite claims of personal freedom and economic benefits, the detrimental effects of gambling addiction on individuals and society outweigh any potential advantages, necessitating stricter regulations and comprehensive support systems.
• While proponents argue that gambling can be a harmless form of entertainment and a potential source of revenue, the inherent risks of addiction, financial instability, and social consequences necessitate a critical evaluation of the industry and the implementation of responsible gambling measures.

✔️ Analytical Thesis Examples about Gambling

• Through a comprehensive analysis of the psychological, social, and economic factors associated with gambling addiction, this thesis argues that a multi-faceted approach combining awareness campaigns, responsible gambling measures, and therapeutic interventions is necessary to effectively address this pressing issue.
• By examining the cultural, regulatory, and ethical dimensions of the gambling industry, this thesis contends that a balanced approach is needed to strike a harmonious balance between promoting economic growth, protecting vulnerable individuals, and mitigating the potential social costs associated with gambling.

✔️ Informative Thesis Samples about Gambling

• The phenomenon of gambling encompasses a wide range of activities, from traditional casino games to online platforms, and understanding its intricacies requires an exploration of its historical, psychological, and societal dimensions.
• Examining the prevalence, causes, and consequences of gambling addiction is crucial in order to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies, as well as to mitigate the social and economic impact it has on individuals and communities.

🔀 Gambling Hypothesis Examples

• Individuals who are exposed to frequent gambling advertisements will exhibit higher rates of gambling participation and an increased risk of developing gambling-related problems compared to those with limited exposure.
• The implementation of responsible gambling measures, such as self-exclusion programs and mandatory spending limits, will lead to a decrease in problem gambling rates and a reduction in the financial and social consequences associated with gambling addiction.

🔂 Null & Alternative Hypothesis about Gambling

• Null Hypothesis: There is no significant relationship between the accessibility of online gambling and the prevalence of gambling addiction among individuals.
• Alternative Hypothesis: There is a significant relationship between the accessibility of online gambling and the prevalence of gambling addiction among individuals.

🧐 Examples of Personal Statement about Gambling

• Exploring the psychological and societal implications of gambling allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to addiction and its far-reaching consequences. I aim to shed light on the various aspects of gambling, raise awareness about its potential risks, and advocate for responsible gambling practices to ensure the well-being of individuals and communities.
• Being a student with a keen interest in economics and social issues, I find the study of gambling to be a captivating and relevant topic. I intend to analyze the multifaceted nature of gambling, its effects on local economies, and the importance of striking a balance between economic benefits and social responsibilities. By delving into this subject, I hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of gambling in our society and explore potential solutions for its challenges.
• A longitudinal study of gambling motives, problem gambling and need frustration
• Peer and Parental Social Norms as Determinants of Gambling Initiation: A Prospective Study
• Internet gambling: issues, concerns, and recommendations.
• Is Gambling Harmful To Our Society?
• The History of Gambling

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Online Gambling: A Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors in the Adult Population

• Review Paper
• Open access
• Published: 14 November 2023

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• Michela Ghelfi   ORCID: orcid.org/0009-0006-3479-0946 1 ,
• Paola Scattola 2 ,
• Gilberto Giudici 2 &
• Veronica Velasco   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1890-5564 1  

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In recent decades, internet gambling has seen strong growth and diffusion due to intrinsic characteristics that make it particularly attractive to players (accessibility, anonymity, variety of games). This paper aims to present the current state of knowledge of the risk and protective factors of online gambling. A literature search conducted in the PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus databases found 42 articles, which were included in the review. Methodological aspects and risk and protective factors were analysed cross-sectionally. The results concerning risk and protective factors were distinguished by the level of analysis: individual, relational, and contextual. Two types of comparisons were considered: online vs. offline gamblers and online nonproblematic vs. problematic gamblers. The results of the two comparisons were juxtaposed to analyse their consistency and the different associations with factors. In general, the review showed that risk factors and variables at the individual level are investigated to a greater extent, while protective factors at the relational and contextual level need more in-depth study in future research. More specifically, this review found that even if online and offline gamblers shared most risk and protective factors, there are variables that they would not have in common. These factors could be important to consider in preventive interventions aimed at online gamblers and online problematic gamblers.

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Introduction

Gambling is defined as a form of entertainment centred on the wagering of any kind of valuable object or possession on a game or event, whose outcome is predominantly random (Boyd & Bolen, 1968 ). Since the beginning of time across all cultures and societies, gambling has been one of the most widespread leisure activities, and that has not changed. For many people, gambling is an enjoyable activity that has no repercussions on their lives; in contrast, for others, gambling may lead to addiction (Serpelloni, 2013 ). Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of adult problem gamblers is between 0.12 and 5.8% worldwide (Calado & Griffiths, 2016 ). Moreover, gambling has grown exponentially in recent decades, and accessibility, participation and expenditures are markedly increasing, as never before (Abbott, 2020 ). For these reasons, problem gambling is considered a socially relevant issue. It compromises public health by negatively impacting the wellbeing of individuals, their network of relationships and society as a whole. Interventions and policies, both from the point of view of care and treatment and by preventing its spread, are necessary.

Over the past 20 years, so-called internet or online gambling has grown exponentially mainly due to technological innovation (Gainsbury et al., 2012 ; Kim & King, 2020 ). Online gambling includes all forms of gambling conducted on the internet via different devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets and digital TVs (Gainsbury et al., 2013 ). Online gambling represents an even more challenging phenomenon than offline gambling, as it is extremely widespread and characterized by more risk that make control, prevention and intervention complicated (Gainsbury, 2012 ). Moreover, online gambling has specific features that make it notably advantageous compared to land-based gambling: easier accessibility, convenience (less time and no travel are required), time flexibility (available 24 h a day), higher interactivity and continuity and ensured privacy (Gainsbury, 2012 ; Gainsbury et al., 2013 ). Additional reasons that make internet gambling more attractive to gamblers are the opportunity to create profiles that can hide one’s real identity and to play alone or interact with others through instant chats and forums (Hing et al., 2014 ).

This phenomenon has been impacted by COVID-19. Land-based gamblers have experienced massive changes during lockdowns due to the closure of gambling venues and the suspension of sports events. The pandemic has reduced overall gambling entries but has prompted land-based players to shift to internet gambling (Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). Meanwhile, the most recent literature regarding the effects of coronavirus on online gambling report no change in online gamblers’ play but no significant increase in this mode of gambling (Brodeur et al., 2021 ; Hodgins & Stevens, 2021 ). Nonetheless, higher levels of problem gambling are reported among those who have increased their gambling, and there is a strong association with mental health problems and substance use. Given these concerns, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the diffusion of online gambling should be carefully monitored.

To design effective interventions and policies, it is essential to know the risk and protective factors associated with a phenomenon (Coie et al., 1993 ). However, the literature regarding the risk and protective factors of online problem gambling is not comprehensive. Most articles have focused on identifying risk and protective factors of problem gambling, especially among offline gamblers, or without even distinguishing them from online gamblers. Furthermore, most of the work concerning risk and protective factors has addressed the adolescent population (Dickson et al., 2008 ; Dowling et al., 2017 ), while little has targeted the adult population.

The most recent review regarding the risk and protective factors of internet gambling in the adult population was published by Gainsbury ( 2015 ), and it focuses on the association between online and problem gambling by comparing internet gambling with land-based gambling. However, this is not a systematic review, and no information is given about the methodology used. Given that most gamblers are not problematic, it is be important to better understand if there are differences between gamblers who choose to gamble online, without necessarily focusing on problematic gamblers. Moreover, considering the rapidly growing rate of this phenomenon, it seems necessary to update the knowledge about it to keep up with the changes.

This paper aims to review the knowledge and evidence about the factors that influence the likelihood of being an online gambler and developing a problematic mode of gambling among the adult population. To synthesize and systematize the results regarding risk and protective factors, two types of comparisons were made: comparison of factors that distinguish offline from online gamblers and comparison of online nonproblematic gamblers with online problematic gamblers. In addition, a further comparison was carried out to highlight whether similarities or differences emerged with respect to the factors studied between the first and second comparisons.

Search Strategy

To investigate knowledge about the risk and protective factors of online gambling, a systematic literature search was conducted in three different academic databases: PubMed, PsychInfo, and Scopus. Analogous syntaxes were launched limited to peer-reviewed articles only. The main keyword was “ gambling ” combined with “ online, internet, interactive ” and “ risk factors, protective factors, predictors, correlates ”. For clarification, the syntax entered in PsychInfo was (ab(online) OR ab(internet) OR ab(interactive)) AND ab(gambl*) AND (ab(risk factor*) OR ab(protect factor*) OR ab(promotive factor*) OR ab(predictor*) OR ab(correlate*)). Additional relevant publications were added based on the reference lists of selected papers and consultations with some experts in the gambling field. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2015 Checklist (Moher et al., 2016 ).

Inclusion Criteria

The literature search was limited to peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2010 and 2020. The decision to investigate only this decade is to focus on the current state of knowledge of a phenomenon that, especially in recent years, is spreading significantly. The eligible articles met the following inclusion criteria in terms of Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO): the reference population (P) was composed of adult online gamblers (age > 18), and risk factors and/or protective factors (I) at any level (individual and environmental) were investigated, excluding those related to biological determinants. Regarding the research outcome (O), outcomes related to all degrees of addiction, severity (nonproblematic, problematic, pathological), and risk of online gaming (low, medium, high) were included. Regarding the type of comparison (C) analysed, only articles comparing online gamblers with offline gamblers (C1) and/or online nonproblematic gamblers with online problematic gamblers (C2) were included.

Study Selection, Data Extraction and Analysis

Two independent evaluators screened the studies and extracted the data. The selection of articles was divided into two stages. First, studies were selected by reading the title and abstract, and those that were not relevant were excluded. Once the two researchers compared their choices, only those studies considered potentially eligible by both researchers were retained. The second phase consisted of full-text reading and application of the eligibility criteria. In cases of disagreement, the article was discussed, and a consensus was reached. After selecting the papers, the following data were extracted: aim of the study, method and type of article, sample characteristics (size, representativeness, response rate, recruitment method), tools and analysis used, control or comparison group, country, population and subpopulation, variables investigated, risk and protective factors. The extraction of population type and subpopulation concerned only sociodemographic characteristics. Data were extracted, and the narrative was synthetized by 2 authors and discussed and revised by another author. Once data extraction was performed, an initial stage of analysis was carried out. According to the main aim, each paper was categorized by the type of comparison (online vs. offline, nonproblem online versus problem online, both), the level of analysis studied (individual, relational, contextual), and the type of factors investigated (protective or risk factors). Papers were not categorized by the subpopulation of gamblers in terms of type of gambler (poker players, sport bettors, etc.) to investigate the differences between online and offline gamblers net of the influence each game type could exert. The group discussed the data, and the results were based on the consensus reached.

The review results are presented below. First, the search results and the screening process are shown. Second, there is a brief presentation of the characteristics of the included papers in terms of methodology. Third, the analysis of risk and protective factors reported in the included articles is presented. In this section, the factors associated with online gambling are analysed and subdivided according to the level of analysis (individual, relational and environmental). To synthesize and systematize the results regarding risk and protective factors, two types of comparisons were made: comparison of factors that distinguish offline gamblers from online gamblers (C1) and comparison of nonproblematic online gamblers from problematic online gamblers (C2). In addition, a further comparison was carried out to highlight whether similarities or differences emerged with respect to the factors studied between the first and second comparisons (C3). The results are systematized and presented in tables at the end of the paper, see Appendix A.

Search Results and Flowchart

Figure  1 represents the flowchart of the screening process. In total, 785 papers were retrieved through the database search, and deleting duplicates resulted in 420 unique citations. The first step, which consisted of screening studies by title and abstract, resulted in 52 eligible articles. Furthermore, 12 studies were retrieved from reference lists and gambling experts.

PRISMA Flow diagram

The second step involved selecting studies via full-text screening in relation to PICO criteria. Of the 64 eligible articles, 42 were included in the review. Appendix B includes a table with the title, the authors, and the year of publication of the articles included in the review in chronological order from the most recent.

Features of Selected Studies

Almost all of the selected studies were conducted in Western countries (Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, United States of America), whereas only one was conducted in Asia (Macau) (Wu et al., 2015 ).

The young adult population (approximately 18–25 years) is the sample population in 8 papers) (1), most of which addressed the university population (Griffiths et al., 2010 ; Harris et al., 2013 ; Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Shead et al., 2012 ; Wu et al., 2015 ).

Quantitative methodology is used in all of the articles, mostly self-administered online questionnaires. Two studies used a mixed-method approach integrating quantitative data with semistructured interviews (Granero et al., 2020 ; Schiavella et al., 2018 ). Nearly all of the studies are cross- sectional. As these studies relate to a single measurement, the direction of the relationship between the variable and the outcome is not always clearly recognizable. Only 3 papers are longitudinal and consider different time periods: 30 days (Goldstein et al., 2016 ), and 2 years (Braverman & Shaffer, 2012 ; Dufour et al., 2020 ).

Some articles use random and representative samples of the population. These studies are usually part of a wider national survey. However, the sample is self-selected in most of the papers.

In most of the articles, recruitment took place on the internet, given the characteristics of the sample. The participants were recruited mostly through online advertisements on specialized websites and forums and on social networks. Another remote method commonly used concerned online wagering operators, who sent an email invitation to a randomly selected user sample. In many studies, participants were recruited using both online and offline methods, the latter including advertising in newspapers, on television, on the radio or by telephone or posters at gambling venues.

Different types of analysis were carried out for different purposes. Among the main ones are the identification of gamblers’ groups through cluster analysis (Braverman & Shaffer, 2012 ; Dufour et al., 2013 , 2020 ; Granero et al., 2020 ; Khazaal et al., 2017 ; Lloyd et al., 2010a ; Perrot et al., 2018 ) comparison between groups using bivariate or multivariate analysis, and the exploration of population characteristics through descriptive analysis.

Risk and Protective Individual Factors

Sociodemographic information.

When compared to offline gamblers, online gamblers were more likely to be male male (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Edgren et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2012 ; Goldstein et al., 2016 ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Harris et al., 2013 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; Lelonek-Kuleta et al., 2020 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Redondo, 2015 ; Shead et al., 2012 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ), younger (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Edgren et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2013 ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; Lelonek-Kuleta et al., 2020 ; Redondo, 2015 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ), with a higher level of education (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Gainsbury et al., 2015b ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Redondo, 2015 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ) and a higher income (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Edgren et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2012 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ). Among the articles included in the review, there is a strong homogeneity of results for these four factors. The only exception is in the article by Lelonek-Kuleta et al. ( 2020 ), in which a lower income was most likely associated with internet gamblers.

In addition to these widely studied factors, further sociodemographic factors are investigated to a lesser extent. For example, regarding gamblers’ occupation, it is shown that having paid employment (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ) and a full-time job (Edgren et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2012 , 2013 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ) is more likely reported by internet gamblers than land-based gamblers, although Hubert and Griffiths ( 2018 ) (26) report contradictory results. Contrasting results are also reported regarding gamblers’ marital status or relationships. According to 3 articles, online gamblers are more likely to live with a stable partner (Dowling et al., 2015 ) or to be married (Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ), whereas other studies report that they are less likely to be married Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ) and more likely to be single (Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ) or cohabiting (Kairouz et al., 2012 ). The place of residence was investigated by two different authors, who came to opposite conclusions. According to Lelonek-Kuleta et al. ( 2020 ), living in rural areas (rather than a city or town) increases the likelihood of being an online gambler. In contrast, according to Gainsbury et al., ( 2015a , 2015c ), internet gamblers are more likely to live in a metropolis. Another variables have been investigated: having dependent children, which is associated with both online and offline gambling (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ).

The comparison between online problematic and nonproblematic gamblers shows partially different results. It was found that online problem gamblers are more likely to be male (Gainsbury et al., 2014b ; Hing et al., 2017 ; McCormack et al., 2013b ; Wu et al., 2015 ), younger (Gainsbury et al., 2013 , 2014c , 2015c ; Granero et al., 2020 ; Hing et al., 2017 ), less educated educated (Gainsbury et al., 2015c ; Schiavella et al., 2018 ), have a lower income (Granero et al., 2020 ; Hing et al., 2017 ), be unemployed or rarely professionally active (Barrault et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2014c , 2015c ; Granero et al., 2020 ), unmarried (Gainsbury et al., 2015c ; Granero et al., 2020 ; Khazaal et al., 2017 ) and have dependent children (Lelonek-Kuleta et al., 2020 ), than online nonproblematic gamblers.

A few articles have reported opposite results. Regarding gambler’s sex, Gainsbury et al. ( 2014c ) reported that chasing losses, a behaviour associated with pathological gambling, is more frequent among women than men. An interesting result emerges from the comparative study by Edgren et al. ( 2017 ) in which female online gamblers were found to be at higher risk than men, both of higher expenditures on gambling and of being more problematic gamblers. Furthermore, in Khazaal et al. ( 2017 ), the higher percentage of women was within the most problematic cluster. The latter study is also in contrast with the majority of articles about the age variable, reporting that the most problematic cluster is characterized by a higher age average compared to the less problematic clusters.

Gambling Patterns and Behaviours

Regarding gambling behaviour, differences were found between online and offline gamblers, and two variables were particularly salient: intensity and variability of gambling. Compared to land-based gamblers, internet gamblers were more likely to gamble more frequently (high intensity) (Barrault & Varescon, 2016 ; Dowling et al., 2015 ; Dufour et al., 2013 ; Gainsbury et al., 2012 , 2013 ; Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Shead et al., 2012 ). Consistent results from different studies state that high variability in gambling activities is associated more with online gambling than offline gambling (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Edgren et al., 2017 ; Gainsbury et al., 2012 , 2013 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Shead et al., 2012 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ). Furthermore, online gamblers are more likely to gamble for longer periods of time and to report higher expenditures than offline gamblers (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Dufour et al., 2013 ; Goldstein et al., 2016 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ), as well as higher indebtedness (Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ). In contrast with these results, Barrault and Varescon ( 2016 ) state that longer sessions, higher bets and winnings are more likely reported by offline gamblers than online gamblers.

In addition to higher intensity, variability, and expenditures, online gamblers are more likely to be at risk of problem gambling gambling (Dufour et al., 2013 , 2020 ; Goldstein et al., 2016 ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Harris et al., 2013 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ). In fact, internet gamblers have higher levels on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) than land-based gamblers (Gainsbury et al., 2014b ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ). In the study by Wu et al. ( 2015 ) conducted in Macao, more symptoms of pathological gambling were reported by online gamblers in both selected samples: one representative of the adult population and the other representative of university students. Furthermore, two articles show that the first gambling experience for online players was at a younger age than for land-based players (Wu et al., 2015 ): approximately 19 years for online players and 24 years for offline players (Dowling et al., 2015 ), highlighting that an earlier onset of gambling behaviour is more likely to be associated with the online mode (Granero et al., 2020 ).

Most of the variables reported above are in common with the risk factors for online problem gambling. In fact, problematic gamblers’ behaviour is more likely characterized by greater involvement: high frequency (intensity) (Barrault & Varescon, 2016 ; Braverman & Shaffer, 2012 ; Dufour et al., 2013 ; Gainsbury et al., 2014c ; Griffiths et al., 2010 ; Hing et al., 2017 ; Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ; LaPlante et al., 2014 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; McCormack et al., 2013a ; McCormack et al., 2013b ), participation in several different gambling forms (high variability) (Braverman & Shaffer, 2012 ; Gainsbury et al., 2014b , 2015a , 2015c ; Hing et al., 2017 ; LaPlante et al., 2014 ; Lloyd et al., 2010a , 2010b ; McCormack et al., 2013b ; Perrot et al., 2018 ), high expenditure (Barrault & Varescon, 2013b ; Barrault & Varescon, 2016 ; Dufour et al., 2013 ; Gainsbury et al., 2014b , 2014c , 2015c ; Griffiths et al., 2010 ) and indebtedness (Gainsbury et al., 2012 , 2016 ). In terms of the effects on expenditures, as was assumed in Gainsbury et al. ( 2015c ), compared to nonproblematic or at-risk gamblers, problem gamblers reported a greater amount of money lost through gambling and a greater amount of household debt. An additional gambling behaviour more likely associated with online at-risk gamblers is the longer session duration duration (Barrault & Varescon, 2013a , 2013b , 2016 ; Griffiths et al., 2010 ; McCormack et al., 2013b ). Although investigated by a few articles, problem gambling risk factors also include early onset of gambling (Granero et al., 2020 ; Wu et al., 2015 ), the use of mobile devices compared to computers (Gainsbury et al., 2016 ), gambling for more than 9 years, not entertaining virtual interactions (Khazaal et al., 2017 ) and gambling in solitude (McCormack et al., 2013b ). Finally, four studies identify being a “mixed-mode” gambler who gambles both online and offline as a risk factor for problem gambling gambling (Dufour et al., 2013 ; Gainsbury et al., 2015b ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Wardle et al., 2011 ). Mixed-mode gamblers had more symptoms and higher levels of severity than internet-only gamblers. However, this evidence needs further investigation and discussion, since only a minor number of the studies uses the mixed mode method in addition to the dichotomy of online versus offline.

Risky Behaviours

As reported in previous paragraphs, gambling is often associated with other types of risk behaviour, such as substance misuse. Even though this correlation is valid for all kinds of gamblers, what emerges from review studies is that online gamblers are more likely to use or misuse substances than offline gamblers both while gambling and at other times (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Gainsbury et al., 2014b ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ; Harris et al., 2013 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ; Shead et al., 2012 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ). According to Gainsbury et al. ( 2014b ), a significantly higher proportion of internet gamblers report drinking and smoking while engaging in land-based gambling compared to offline gamblers. In contrast, in Goldstein et al. ( 2016 ), consuming more substances while gambling was associated with being less likely to be online gamblers. In the internet gamblers group, more people reported hazardous drinking (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Griffiths et al., 2011 ), alcohol consumption and addiction (Kairouz et al., 2012 ; Mihaylova et al., 2013 ). In relation to the use of other substances, online gamblers are more likely to consume and misuse regular drugs (Dowling et al., 2015 ), illicit drugs (Mihaylova et al., 2013 ) and cannabinoids (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Kairouz et al., 2012 ). According to Gainsbury et al. ( 2014b ), offline gamblers are more likely to be nonsmokers than online gamblers; concordantly, a significantly higher proportion of online gamblers smoked daily than land-based gamblers.

The relevant use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs represents a risk factor for the development of a problematic online gambling patterns (Gainsbury et al., 2014b ; Granero et al., 2020 ; Lloyd et al., 2010a ), even if in some studies, only the number of cigarettes smoked is higher in the riskiest gamblers (Harris et al., 2013 ; McCormack et al., 2013b ). As reported above, it seems that consumption of alcohol or other substances during gambling is more likely associated with online problem gamblers than nonproblem gamblers (Gainsbury et al., 2015c ; Harris et al., 2013 ; Hing et al., 2017 ; McCormack et al., 2013b ).

Risky behaviours related to gambling do not end with excessive substance use; there are other behaviours associated with online and problem gambling, for example, the excessive use of the media. Among the factors that are more likely associated with online gambling are the early use of computers (Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ) and being experienced in computer gaming (Edgren et al., 2017 ). Concordantly, Lelonek-Kuleta et al. ( 2020 ) found that people with lower daily internet use are less involved in online gambling. The relevant involvement in gaming was also found to be a risk factor for the development of a problematic gambling pattern (Khazaal et al., 2017 ).

Deliberate self-harm is another risky behaviour that, according to Lloyd et al. ( 2010a ), is more prevalent among the most problematic cluster of online gamblers (multiactivity players) compared to others.

Health and Wellbeing

Physical health.

Health and well-being are scarcely investigated in the papers included in this review, and their results are almost contradictory. For example, in Wardle et al. ( 2011 ), online gamblers were more likely to report that their general health was better than that of land-based gamblers. Regarding physical wellbeing, Shead and colleagues ( 2012 ) showed that land-based university student gamblers were more likely to be normal weight, while internet gamblers were more likely to be underweight, overweight, or obese. Furthermore, a physical disability or a significant mental health problem is a predictor of internet gamblers more than offline gamblers (Wood & Williams, 2011 ). According to Redondo ( 2015 ), online gamblers are less interested in their future personal health; in fact, they are more likely to engage in unhealthy activities.

In line with the above, the only risk factor for the development of a pathological mode of gambling emerged from the study by McCormack et al. ( 2013b ) with a sample of online gamblers. Problem gamblers were found to be more likely to report a disability than nonproblem gamblers.

Psychological distress and emotions

Regarding psychological well-being, only a few studies have reported significant differences between online and offline gamblers. Gainsbury et al.’s ( 2014b ) paper contends that online gamblers are more likely to experience psychological distress than land-based gamblers. A further relevant result was shown by Goldstein et al. ( 2016 ), who monitored the mood of a sample of young adults for 30 consecutive days. The data collected show that those who used the internet to gamble experienced greater negative affect, with higher frequency and intensity, during the observation compared to nononline gamblers.

The high occurrence of cross-sectional studies does not allow us to clearly define the relationship’s direction between psychological distress and problem gambling. It is difficult to establish whether the former is a risk factor or an outcome of the latter. For example, it is unclear whether a high level of psychological distress is a consequence of frequent gambling or conversely whether people with psychological distress are particularly attracted to gambling. Predictably, a higher level of psychological distress was found in online gamblers more at risk of problem gambling than in low-risk gamblers (Gainsbury et al., 2014b ; Granero et al., 2020 ; Hing et al., 2017 ; Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ). Anxiety and depression were the main experiences studied and reported by pathological gamblers at higher rates (Barrault & Varescon, 2013a ; Barrault et al., 2017 ; Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ; Khazaal et al., 2017 ). In addition, mood disturbances such as hypomanic experiences and mood elevation are reported to a greater extent in the most problematic cluster (Lloyd et al., 2010a ). Additional emotional states that are more likely associated with a riskier mode of gambling are dissatisfaction with life (Wu et al., 2015 ) and feelings of loneliness (Khazaal et al., 2017 ). Furthermore, problem gamblers and at-risk gamblers were significantly more likely to feel euphoria, excitement, anger, and happiness while gambling (McCormack et al., 2013b ). According to the authors, problem gamblers are more likely to experience extreme emotional highs and lows than nonproblem gamblers. In addition, having good emotional intelligence serves as a protective factor against the development of a problematic mode of gambling (Schiavella et al., 2018 ). A high level of emotional awareness, assertiveness, self-care (understanding and acceptance of self), independence (no emotional dependency), and self-actualization are all aspects that decrease the risk of experiencing a gambling disorder.

Personality Characteristics and Cognitive Components

Personality characteristics.

Regarding personality characteristics, little has been reported for online vs. offline gamblers. According to Redondo ( 2015 ), online gamblers are more likely to be characterized by a low degree of sociability and a higher level of frugality.

Variables associated with personality were more relevant in the comparison between those who were at risk of developing problematic gambling. Impulsivity, or the tendency to implement behaviours without considering the possible consequences (Zuckerman & Kuhlman, 2000 ), is the most widely investigated personality trait and appears to be particularly associated with pathological gambling patterns (Barrault & Varescon, 2013b , 2016 ; Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ; Khazaal et al., 2017 ; Moreau et al., 2020 ). Other personality traits that increase the likelihood of incurring a problematic mode of gambling are the predisposition to boredom (Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ) and the lack of premeditation (Khazaal et al., 2017 ).

In Granero et al. ( 2020 ), it was generally found that those who have a dysfunctional personality profile (characterized, for example, by high scores in the novelty-seeking dimension) have a higher likelihood that their gambling will result in a disorder. Conversely, people with functional personality characteristics have a lower likelihood of experiencing problematic gambling. In addition, high scores on the trait of self-direction, which is the ability to adjust behaviour to the demands of the situation to achieve their goals, and in the trait of cooperativeness are considered protective factors associated with adaptive emotional and cognitive responses (Granero et al., 2020 ).

Cognitive Components

Some dysfunctional thinking mechanisms are found to have an influence on the likelihood of being an online gambler. Compared to offline gamblers, internet gamblers are more likely to have cognitive distortions of two main types: the illusion of control and perseverance (Dufour et al., 2020 ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ). In Wood and Williams ( 2011 ), the illusion of being able to manipulate the outcome of the game has been identified as a risk factor.

The presence of cognitive distortions about gambling increases the likelihood of developing problematic gambling (Barrault & Varescon, 2013a ; Gainsbury et al., 2014c , 2015c ; MacKay & Hodgins, 2012 ; Moreau et al., 2020 ; Schiavella et al., 2018 ). Comparing low-risk gamblers and those who are pathological, the latter report significantly greater levels in all five types of cognitions analysed in the Gambling Related Cognition Scale (GRCS): gambling-related expectancies, the illusion of control, predictive control, the perceived inability to stop gambling, and interpretative bias. Additional risk factors found in the analysis of poker players and associated with problem gambling include episodes of dissociation while playing (Hopley & Nicki, 2010 ) and frequent tilt episodes (Moreau et al., 2020 ).

Representations, Attitudes and Motivation to Gamble

Representations and attitudes.

A gambler's attitude towards gambling has been found to be relevant in influencing the choice of gambling mode. Articles suggest that having a positive attitude towards online gambling increases the likelihood of gambling on the internet (Gainsbury et al., 2012 ; Harris et al., 2013 ; Wood & Williams, 2011 ; Wu et al., 2015 ). In Gainsbury et al. ( 2012 ), internet gamblers experienced higher scores in items investigating the morality, legality, and cost‒benefit of online gambling. In addition to attitudes, a higher level of trust in the internet was more likely to be associated with online gamblers than with offline gamblers (Redondo, 2015 ). In the article by Harris et al. ( 2013 ), a significant difference emerged between the group of online gamblers and the group of land-based gamblers: internet gamblers reported higher scores for the items related to confidence in the security of both online payments and websites than land-based gamblers. Moreover, Redondo ( 2015 ) showed that online gamblers have a lower religious orientation than offline gamblers and are less interested in the future of the environment, so they participate less in environmentally responsible activities.

Attitudes towards gambling also appear to influence the likelihood of developing problematic gambling. High-risk internet gamblers are found to have a more negative attitude towards gambling (Harris et al., 2013 ; Hing et al., 2017 ). In the article by Gainsbury et al. ( 2015c ), problem gamblers were more likely to believe that the harm of gambling outweighed the benefits, that it was an immoral activity and that all forms of gambling should be illegal. The same result was presented by Hing et al. ( 2017 ), who found that problem gamblers reported negative attitudes. This result seems to contrast with findings regarding internet trust, which is associated with a higher likelihood of being problem gamblers (Harris et al., 2013 ).

Motivations to Gamble

Among the motivations that drive a person to gamble, four main reasons are investigated: enhancement, coping, social, and financial. Motivations of enhancement include reasons related to the positive feelings and excitement aroused by gambling; social motivations refer to the willingness to gamble to socialize, spending time with friends or celebrating; coping motivations relate to gambling to relax, to forget problems or because it helps one feel better; and financial motivations refer to the need to get some money, the possibility of winning large sums of money, or wanting to earn money (Lloyd et al., 2010b ; Stewart & Zack, 2008 ). Compared to land-based gamblers, the gambling motivations reported most often by online gamblers are coping reasons (regulating internal state) (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Goldstein et al., 2016 ), financial reasons (Barrault & Varescon, 2016 ) and to satisfy a need for a challenge or to show skills (Dowling et al., 2015 ; Goldstein et al., 2016 ). Those who gamble for social reasons (Barrault & Varescon, 2016 ), because of the positive feelings it elicits (Dowling et al., 2015 ), or because they believe this activity provides enjoyable social encounters (Goldstein et al., 2016 ) are more likely to belong to the group of land-based gamblers. Goldstein et al. ( 2016 ) analysed the specific motivations for which online gambling is initiated compared to offline gambling. Gamblers were more likely to initiate online activities to win money, to be entertained, or to demonstrate their ability and to discontinue online activities due to feeling bored, tired and distressed. Online gambling activities were less likely to be initiated for social reasons, or because they felt lucky (Goldstein et al., 2016 ). According to Hubert and Griffiths ( 2018 ), comparing online to offline problematic gamblers, the results show that the former are more likely to gamble for fun and leisure.

The same main motivations emerged when investigating online gamblers and comparing them across degrees of severity. Problem gamblers are more likely to report reasons related to the feelings that gambling causes, such as excitement (Gainsbury et al., 2014c ), financial aspects (Gainsbury et al., 2014c ; Khazaal et al., 2017 ) or occupational aspects, such as the desire to make money from gambling (Barrault et al., 2017 ), and coping, as the aim to relax (Khazaal et al., 2017 ). In contrast to what was previously stated regarding the possibility that coping motivations act as a risk factor, in the article by Gainsbury et al. ( 2014c ), it appears that gambling to relax is reported more by nonproblem gamblers. In addition, nonproblem gambling appears to be associated most often with leisure and coping purposes, such as for pleasure, experiencing positive emotions, a distraction from everyday life and thus relaxation (Barrault & Varescon, 2013b , 2016 ) and as an occasion of social gathering (Khazaal et al., 2017 ).

The aspects associated with the intrinsic characteristics of online gambling, which were discussed in depth in the introduction, are investigated to a lesser extent in this review’s papers. Compared to offline gamblers, online gamblers report greater motivation due to accessibility, availability, variability in sites and activities, anonymity, and prevention/protection (Hubert & Griffiths, 2018 ). In addition, greater accessibility and anonymity are two of the reasons more likely to be reported by problem gamblers than by nonproblem gamblers (McCormack et al., 2013b ).

Risk and Protective Relational and Contextual Factors

Relational factors.

The choice of gambling modality appears to also be influenced by aspects related to the network of the gambler’s relationships, even if they are poorly investigated in comparison to individual factors. Studies show that low quantity and quality of the relationships of those who gamble play a role in increasing the likelihood of being internet gamblers. An additional factor associated with the online mode is reporting the subjective presence of issues within the household due to gambling (Mihaylova et al., 2013 ). At the relational level, a single factor has been identified that increases the likelihood of developing problematic gambling: the presence of gamblers and problem gamblers among family members. This result has been reported by two different authors who considered the general adult population (Lloyd et al., 2010a ) and university students (Harris et al., 2013 ).

Contextual Factors

The surroundings and life contexts to which a person belongs play an important role in influencing gambling, as do individual and relational factors. Within the selected articles, variables acting at the contextual level were scarcely investigated. The university context, among all, is the only setting that has been investigated and for which there is evidence of a risk factor. The presence of academic issues in the population of university students appears to increase the likelihood that not only they will use the internet to gamble (Mihaylova et al., 2013 ), but also they will become problem gamblers (Harris et al., 2013 ).

This paper provides a synthesis of knowledge regarding the risk and protective factors of online gambling in the adult population. From the analysis carried out, several critical elements emerge, which may offer indications for future studies. Regarding the methodology used in the studies, two critical issues emerge concerning the population and the method. Most of the papers use nonrepresentative samples. For future research, it would be desirable to use representative samples of the population. In addition, most of the papers are cross-sectional studies, whereas it would be desirable to conduct longitudinal studies to achieve a greater understanding of the relationship between variables. It is necessary to highlight that in most papers, the sample was mainly composed of men, no women. Studies that included women reported that these gamblers were at greater risk of developing problematic gambling and were more attracted to internet gambling. This topic was explored in a qualitative study by Corney and David ( 2010 ) that focuses on the motivations of female online gamblers. This article suggests that aspects related to ease of access and anonymity of gambling are particularly relevant for women. In fact, the possibility of gambling from home and remaining anonymous make online gambling more attractive to women, as they perceive it to be safer and less intimidating. For these reasons, it would be relevant in future research to use a representative sample.

Several factors were identified in the review. Socioanagraphic variables are among the most studied in both comparisons. Gender, age, level of education, occupation, income and marital status are largely investigated. Being male and younger seem to be associated more with online gamblers than offline gamblers and with problematic online gamblers than nonproblematic gamblers. Moreover, a high level of education, income, and job status are more likely associated with online gamblers than offline gamblers. At the same time, looking at online gamblers, it seems that these factors are more related to less problematic gamblers than problematic gamblers. Other contradictory results regard marital status or the sentimental relationship. It seems that having a stable partner is more likely associated with online gambling than offline gambling, even though it is more associated with nonproblem gamblers than problem gamblers. Having dependent children is more likely associated with online and problematic gamblers, but it is studied by only a few papers.

Gambling patterns and behaviors is the second most studied factors category. A relevant number of papers show that high intensity, high variability, and high expenditures in gambling are more likely associated with online gamblers and represent risk factors for problematic gambling. The same association is reported concerning long session duration and having an early onset of gambling behaviour. Some factors are studied only for the second comparison. Among these, solitary gambling (not using virtual chats or forums), being a mixed-mode and long-time gambler, using mobile devices to gamble, and having tilt episodes represent risk factors for problem online gamblers, even though only a few studies show these results.

Risky behaviours, such as the consumption of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, are studied in both comparisons. The misuse of substances is more likely associated with online gamblers than offline gamblers and with online problematic gamblers than less problematic gamblers. Moreover, the same association is reported for high use of media, while deliberate self-harm is more likely to be found among problem online gamblers.

Factors related to physical well-being are poorly investigated, and mainly concern the comparison between online and offline gamblers. It seems that offline gamblers are more interested in engaging in healthy activities, are fitter and generally feel healthier than online gamblers.

Psychological dimensions are slightly investigated, and most of these papers study only the second comparison. Online problem gamblers are more likely to report psychological distress and anxious or depressive states than nonproblem gamblers. A smaller number of studies reported that negative moods, extreme emotions while gambling, and mood disturbance are more likely associated with online problem gamblers. However, one paper shows how high emotional intelligence (emotional awareness, assertiveness, self-care, independence, self-actualization) could act as a protective factor, but further investigation is needed.

Personality traits have not been extensively explored. High impulsivity is the most often studied factor, and it is associated most often with online problematic gamblers as much as having a dysfunctional personality. In contrast, online gamblers compared to offline gamblers seem to have a minor degree of sociability and a higher level of frugality, but it is only stated by a single paper. Concerning the cognitive components, the abundant presence of cognitive distortion in gambling (as the illusion of control) is more likely associated with online and online problematic gamblers than with offline and nonproblematic gamblers.

Attitude towards gambling has been found to be relevant in influencing the choice of gambling mode. Articles suggest that having a positive attitude towards online gambling is more likely associated with internet gambling, while a negative attitude is related more often with problem gambling. This result should be further investigated.

Among the different reasons to gamble, social motivations are more often related to offline and nonproblem gamblers, while financial reasons are more often associated with online and problem gambling. Contradictory results emerged regarding coping and pleasure reasons, and it is not clear how these motivations influence gambling behaviour, so further studies will be needed.

Scarce attention is given to relational factors and contextual factors. A few papers suggest that having rare and negative relationships is more likely associated with online gambling. Moreover, having family members who gamble could influence the likelihood of being a problem gambler. In addition, having problems in life contexts such as academia is reported mainly by people who gamble online and are problematic gamblers.

The results of the review regarding risk and protective factors show that risk factors are investigated to a greater extent than protective factors. This criticality highlights the need to strengthen research from a well-being-promotion approach to identify and then intervene on variables related to positive outcomes. In addition, among the levels of analysis studied in the literature, the most in-depth level concerns individual aspects, while both the relational and contextual levels are poorly investigated. Future research would need to embrace a psychosocial perspective that considers, at least equally, all types of levels, valuing the influence that the environment has on the individual. Moreover, some of the factors’ categories are scarcely investigated in the literature; for this reason, they need to be explored in greater depth. Examples include variables associated with physical well-being, emotional and social functioning, and interpersonal skills. One of the recurring themes among the categories concerns bonding with other people. In general, it appears that the presence of other people in different contexts of life acts as a protective factor for problematic gambling, while the absence of these represents a risk factor. Although the relational level is poorly investigated within the review, the positive influence of relationships is studied at the individual level. For example, being married or being in a relationship with a stable partner, and among the factors associated with gambling patterns, playing while in the company of others represents a protective factor. Similarly, sociality is also present in motivational aspects, and those who gamble to meet other people, celebrate, and be with friends are less likely to be problem gamblers. These results refer to the importance that the social sphere has on the individual, which is essential. This theme needs to be studied to a greater extent and to be taken into consideration from the point of view of intervention and prevention.

Most of the factor results are in line with what emerged from Gainsbury’s review ( 2015 ) and previous literature about risk factors for problem gambling. For example, several risk factors for problem gambling were confirmed: being male, being a young adult, having gambling behaviours characterized by high intensity, variability and high expenditures, gambling for long periods of time, having an early onset of gambling behaviour, misusing substances, and reporting psychological distress, impulsivity, and cognitive distortions related to gambling. Moreover, having academic and familiar issues or familiarity with gambling are risk factors for problem gambling. However, many other protective and risk factors emerged from this review, such as social support, healthy lifestyle, emotions, motivations and technology use and interactions with others. This review differs from Gainsbury's in that it attempts to use an additional and more systematized classification to the reading of risk and protective factors of gambling. Specifically, the papers included in the review are classified depending on two different comparisons: according to the degree of severity of online gambling and the differences between online and offline gambling. Including these two comparisons is crucial to account for the complexity of online gambling and the different targets involved. Analogies and differences emerged from these two comparisons, and specific needs of further investigations have been identified. For example, contradictory results emerged about gender differences, level of education influence, emotional skills, attitudes and motivational issues.

In conclusion, aiming to fill the literature gap on preventive factors for online gambling, the results of this literature review can provide the basis for developing efficient preventive strategies that go beyond responsible gambling options offered by gambling platforms (Gainsbury et al.,  2014a ; Velasco et al., 2021 ). These findings contribute to identifying the groups most attracted to online gambling and most vulnerable to the development of problem gambling. These people should be the focus of future research and targeted individualized interventions. From a more general prevention perspective, more coordination between research evidence, agencies, and institutions is needed to support policies and a social culture unfavourable to gambling to protect the health of online gamblers. Specifically, given the commonalities between risk and protective factors for online and offline gambling, it does not seem necessary to create new prevention interventions dedicated directly to online gambling. On the one hand, given the presence of aspects related only to online gamblers and given the differences in terms of socioanagraphic variables, it would seem to make sense to reevaluate some of the interventions to adapt them to these specificities. For example, given that even gamblers from populations considered less at risk (highly educated and employed) seem to be highly attracted to gambling, it would be important to target them with specific interventions or include them in a universal intervention. On the other hand, it appears that gamblers with fewer resources are more likely to become problematic gamblers and thus would need to be involved in indicated interventions to promote or enhance protective factors. More attention should be given to acknowledging and dealing with the taboo of female gamblers; despite being an extremely valuable topic, it was not covered much by the articles included in the review. Finally, the relevance of social relationships and sociality during gambling should be considered when designing online gambling preventive interventions. Online access to gambling facilitates solitary play and isolating habits, and social protective factors could be reduced.

Limitations of the Review

This review presents some limitations. No statistical processing typical of meta-analyses to assess the results has been included. However, the ability of this review to synthesize the evidence across a large body of literature offers a valid overview and some recommendations. Regarding the included studies, not all papers displayed the same level of methodological quality, and the criteria used for the studied population were quite different. Moreover, the literature lacks a clear and determined definition to distinguish online and offline gamblers. In fact, some authors consider that only those who exclusively use this mode are online gamblers, while others define them as such even if they mainly use the online mode but also gamble offline. Given the heterogeneity of the literature and the need to synthesize and systematize the results, the information regarding “exclusively internet gamblers” or “mixed mode gamblers” was included in the same “online gamblers” category regardless of the definition used by the authors. The reason behind this choice is that this distinction of exclusivity was made explicit only in a few papers, so we considered online gamblers who play at least partially online. Moreover, because there is no univocal and agreed definition to classify online gamblers depending on the intensity of gambling, we considered the category online gamblers without distinguishing the different definitions of the authors. For example, some authors consider online gamblers to be those who gamble at least once a year, others if the frequency is once a month, they were both just addressed as “online gamblers”. Furthermore, in the literature, there is no clear and shared definition and categorization of gamblers depending on the degree of severity of problem gambling. Some authors distinguish between low-, medium-, and high-risk gamblers, while others consider only nonproblem or problem gamblers. To synthesize, the results of the papers are read without valuing the intermediate degrees of risk, distinguishing only between problematic or nonproblematic gambling. Finally, given that only some papers considered only specific subpopulations of gamblers (e.g., poker players, sports bettors), the results of the papers were considered net of gambling types.

The aim of this paper was to review the knowledge and evidence about the factors that influence the likelihood of being an online gambler and developing a problematic mode of gambling in the adult population. The review synthesized and systematized the risk and protective factors associated with online gambling. Specifically, to do so, two types of comparisons were made: comparison of factors that distinguish offline from online gamblers and comparison of online nonproblematic gamblers from online problematic gamblers. In addition, a further comparison was carried out to highlight whether similarities or differences emerged in the results with respect to the factors studied between the first and second comparisons. The results of this work could be useful in suggesting directions for the development of prevention programs targeted at offline and online gamblers, which could be aimed at strengthening or increasing protective factors and limiting and reducing risk factors. Moreover, this review provides some suggestions for distinguishing characteristics more associated with online problem gambling and non-problem ones. Finally, this review found that even if most risk and protective factors are in common between online and offline gamblers, there are some variables that are not. These factors could be important to consider in project prevention interventions aimed at targeted online gamblers and online problematic gamblers.

Data availability

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

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Appendix A: Systematization of the Review’s Results

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Ghelfi, M., Scattola, P., Giudici, G. et al. Online Gambling: A Systematic Review of Risk and Protective Factors in the Adult Population. J Gambl Stud (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-023-10258-3

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Gambling Research Topics and Ideas for Student Papers

In an age where the world is a digital village, and the digital divide has reduced significantly, gambling and betting have proliferated to even the remotest locations on earth. There is an annual growth prediction in the sports betting and gambling industry. As with any other means of entertainment in society, gambling and betting have their fair share of positives and negatives, making them an active research area.

Therefore, it is common to find students assigned to write essays , term papers, research papers, theses, and dissertations on various gambling topics. Students are given gambling essays and research papers to increase their understanding of the possible implications of gambling and its potential contributions to society. Although it is considered a global game played by the poor and the rich, it is considered an addiction and prohibited in many countries.

List of 296 Plus Gambling Topics and Ideas

Given the slightest understanding of gambling, it might be hard to pick a good gambling research topic to write a paper on, which is why we have carefully handpicked hundreds of gambling essay topics to make the process easier for you. No matter the stance you choose to take or the type of paper you choose to write, these topics about gambling can come in handy during your ideation process. Let's get rolling!

Cause and Effect Gambling Topics

• How gambling influences countries' economies?
• Impact of gambling on divorce levels.
• The effects of feminism on gambling.
• The effects of casinos on the economy of the states that allow casinos.
• The influence of gambling on violence among the youth.
• The effect of gambling on the development of the video games
• How do Native American gambling rights affect Indian communities?
• How do gambling experts mitigate the spread of addiction?
• Adverse effects of gambling on the economy.
• The effects of Native American gambling rights on the economy.
• How gambling elevates Millennials' motivation.
• The environmental impact on gambling.
• How genetics generates pathological gambling?
• Factors that influence pathological gambling.
• The economic impact of gambling on the popularity of Las Vegas.
• Premises of pathological gambling.
• Gambling restrictions.
• Effects of excessive gambling.
• Impacts of gambling on students.
• Impacts of betting companies in the Economies of developing nations

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• Compare and contrast essay guide.
• List of current social issues affecting society
• General  research  topics and ideas

Argumentative Gambling Essay Topics

• Is gambling advantageous or disadvantageous?
• Should countries legalize gambling?
• To what level is gambling addiction?
• Should America legalize online gambling?
• Should gambling be completely illegal?
• Should gambling in sports be allowed in all countries?
• To what level is gambling affecting the youth?
• Is the gambling industry diminishing?
• Who is responsible for the challenges of gamblers?
• Should gambling be regarded as a sport?
• To what extent has gambling affected professional sports?
• How can gambling be discussed from a Christian perspective?
• Arguments against casino gambling in Singapore.
• Explain gambling from a risk-return perspective.
• Is there progress for online and land-based casinos?
• Arguments against the ban of online gambling in America.
• To what extent does the growth of the cryptocurrency market affect the gambling industry?
• Should gambling be allowed in Texas?
• Does gambling marketing distort or misrepresent the reality of gambling?
• Why is gambling not regarded as a sport?
• Why should gambling be illegal?
• Why is the gambling industry misrepresented in pop culture?
• To what extent has sports gambling affected sports?
• Does feminism affect the gambling industry?
• Does Indian Gaming Regulatory Act increase tribal development?
• Discuss the future of gambling worldwide.
• Does gambling affect popular culture?
• To what extent do cross-culture issues promote gambling?
• Arguments against the effects of gambling on the brain.
• The effects of social background on pathological gambling development.
• Does gambling affect the integrity of sports?
• Does gambling affect the ethics in sports?
• Does online casinos a successful business?
• Arguments why Macau is regarded as the world gambling center.
• To what extent does the reward system of the brain promote gambling addiction?
• Arguments against the possibility of becoming a successful gambler.
• Should gambling be restricted entirely in California?
• How do video games lead to gambling?
• Can gambling be a career?
• Why do specific social groups are assailable to commence gambling?
• Discuss gambling from a cultural perspective.
• To what extent does gambling cause poverty among the youth?
• How does gambling affects the effectiveness of sports?
• Is gambling a national evil?

Related Article: How to write a perfect argumentative essay.

Best Gambling Essay Topic Ideas

• Gambling from different perspectives.
• College students and sports gambling.
• Predictors of gambling behavior among college students.
• The role of the media in promoting betting.
• Family factors contributing to gambling addiction
• Motivation factors for consumer decision-making to participate in soccer lotteries.
• Gambling in California.
• Gambling proclivities of the clergy.
• The stance of the Bible and Quran on gambling.
• The stress coping mechanisms for youths who gamble.
• The link between betting companies and money laundering.
• The link between gambling and prostitution.
• Gambling project: effect of cultural change in America.
• Gambling in America: The economic reasons verse moral obligations.
• Strategies to prevent gambling among adolescents.
• Positive and negative effects of gambling.
• Cognitive distortions of addicted gamblers.
• Gender difference in gambling addiction.
• Gambling proclivities of senior citizens.
• The gambling behaviors of casino employees.
• The link between pathological gambling and deviance.
• Legalization of Gambling in Ohio.
• Gambling issues in society today.
• Online gaming and gambling legalization.
• Prevention of high-risk gambling.
• Gambling Tips.
• Cognitive strengths of pathological gamblers.
• Strategies to recover from gambling addiction without treatment.
• The lived experiences of women who gamble.
• The link between betting and homelessness.
• Depression among chronic gamblers.
• Link between gambling and narcissism.
• Steps for stopping compulsive and impulsive gambling.
• Link between anticipated risk-seeking and regret in gambling behavior.
• Policy implementation in gambling.
• Gambling in the United States.
• Economic significance of the gambling industry.
• Impacts of casinos on the community.
• Gambling and taking risks.
• The negative impacts of casinos
• Pros and cons of gambling.
• Government-operated gambling.
• Legal issues in gambling.
• Public policies and gambling.
• The social construction of gambling addiction treatment.
• The governance of gambling in China.
• The impact of culture on gambling habits.
• Should gambling be legalized?
• The concept of charitable gambling in American culture.
• Positive impacts of Gambling.
• Revised challenges of gambling.
• Benefits of gambling on the country's economy.
• Why should gambling be banned?
• Gambling addiction.
• The effects of gambling on the gaming industry.
• Research approaches to gambling addiction.
• The popularity of the casino gambling industry.
• Economic concerns of casino gambling.
• Legalization of casino gambling in Texas.
• Legalization of online gambling.
• Disadvantages and benefits of gambling.
• Effects of gambling addiction on neuroplasticity.
• The effects of gambling on families.
• The impact of internet gambling on the youth.
• Gambling regulation.
• Benefits of gambling to the banking sector.
• Impact of gambling revenue legislation
• The psychology of gambling.
• Gambling companies and American Laws.
• The challenges of gambling in the current society.
• Issues of internet gambling.
• Hong Kong casino gambling legalization.
• Gambling as a form of leisure.
• The legalized gambling era.
• The impact of gambling on individual happiness.
• The gambling history and its relationship with the modern era.
• Effects of internet application, gambling, and online gaming among high school students.
• The debate against the restriction of gambling.
• Combating casino addiction.
• The costs and benefits of gambling

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Good Gambling Research Topics

• Causes and effects of gambling in society.
• Bearing the risk: luck, gambling, and love in literature.
• Financial fraud and gambling in the modern world.
• Management of information issues in casino gambling.
• Internet gambling victims and regulation.
• Youth gambling effects: challenges and issues to counseling.
• The distinction between gambling and investment speculation.
• Human resources in the gambling industry.
• The influence of gambling on society and an individual.
• Evaluating the differential effects of mixed, offline, and online gambling.
• The effects of gambling taxation in bringing public equity.
• Behavioral treatments and accounts of gambling.
• Protective and risk factors in gambling: An analysis of psychological resilience.
• Cognitive interventions for gambling addiction.
• Gambling: the challenges and the history of tragedy, addiction, and helpfulness.
• The facts and myths of casino gambling: when leisure becomes a problem.
• Relationship between mental health aspects, problem gambling, Socio-Demographics, and the type of gambling.
• The effects of making the risky choice in gambling.
• Gambling addiction: hidden facts of online gambling.
• Effects of functional brain connectivity on victims of gambling disorder.
• Relationship between gambling and the increasing rate of suicide.
• The influence of gambling on mental health disorders.
• Human perception of investing and betting.

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• Informative essay topics and ideas .

Simple and Unique Gambling Essay Topics

• The pleasure theory: gambling and brain association.
• Diagnosis and treatment of compulsive gambling addiction.
• Gambling deprivation, geographical variation.
• Behavioral change techniques for managing gambling addiction.
• How economic recession affects gambling recession.
• The sociological outcomes of gambling in western countries.
• The effects of gambling on culturally diverse adults.
• Gambling: leisure full of losses.
• The challenges and concerns about legal online gambling.
• Gambling beliefs and attitudes that promote addiction.
• Financial and accounting reports in gambling monopoly.
• Relationship between gender gambling behaviors and gambling settings.
• An exploratory study of gambling among Croatian youth.
• Risk aspects of gambling.
• Ethical evaluation of gambling.
• Online gambling: taking society to death bed.
• Gambling history in the United States.
• Casino business and its economic influence
• Gambling in football
• Is gambling fun or a threat?
• Gambling: an expanding addiction.
• Immorality issues in casino gambling.
• The expanding gambling among the youth is a critical concern.
• How to avoid gambling.
• Online gambling.
• Participation of LGBTQ people in gambling.
• Effects of gambling on world economies.
• Gambling should be illegalized forever.
• Gambling: An ever-increasing addiction.
• Stop gambling.
• Evaluation of the aspects that lure people to gambling.
• Compulsive gambling.
• Psychological gambling.
• Causes of gambling.
• Impacts of gambling on the economy.
• An analysis of personal perspective concerning gambling.
• Gambling: An expanding form of leisure in the modern world.
• Is gambling a source of motivation?
• The effect of gambling on family financial management.
• Gambling beyond entertainment.
• Gambling odds.
• Gambling: a victimless fraud.
• Gambling: the addiction.
• Cyberspace gambling.
• Gambling bioethics.
• Gambling and the Asian culture.
• Internet gambling and regulation.
• Social problems of gambling.
• Association between gambling and game theory.
• Legalizing gambling in Ohio.
• The role of ethics in gambling.
• How gambling affects the American culture.
• Assessment of gambling among women.
• How casinos lure customers.
• Online casinos.
• Gambling: the dangerous leisure.
• Gambling analysis.
• Regulation of casinos.
• A history of gambling.
• The effects of taxation on gambling
• Benefits of casinos.
• Off-track gambling.
• Gambling in contemporary society.
• Advantages of gambling.
• Social impact of gambling.
• The casino industry.
• A comprehensive study on unfavorable aspects of gambling in India.
• The benefits and disadvantages of increasing casinos.
• Reservation gambling.
• Situational analysis of gambling.
• Religious perspective of gambling.
• The effects of gambling on individual life.
• Psychological effects of gambling.
• Treatment approaches for gambling addiction.
• How to manage gambling addiction?
• Gambling prevention awareness.
• The contradiction between gambling and ethics.
• Personality type, motivation, and the consideration between luck and skill gambling products

Gambling Research Questions

• What are the challenges associated with gambling?
• Should the government ban gambling?
• How has gambling affected American society?
• Who is affected by gambling?
• What is the link between gambling and money laundering?
• What is the link between gambling and terrorism?
• Why should people transform their regressive perception of gambling?
• What are the effects of gambling on popular culture?
• How does gambling addiction affect individuals and families?
• How has gambling affected Americans?
• To what extent has gambling contributed to mental illness?
• Should the gambling age restriction be decreased?
• Should gambling be regulated?
• How does taxation affect the gambling industry?
• How has gambling affected the youth in the modern world?
• Should gambling in sports be allowed?
• Is gambling and drug use associated?
• Does the bible and Quran support gambling?
• Do gambling institutions promote environmental conservation efforts?
• What are the attractions of gambling?
• How does the stigma of gambling affect treatment, recovery, and health-seeking?
• How does the expected utility theory discuss gambling?
• Does casino gambling increase government revenues?
• How does gambling impact society?
• Does gambling comply with societal values?
• What are the effects of gambling on the economy?
• What promotes gambling behavior?
• Why did the internet gambling ban fail?
• What should the state do to curb the expansion of gambling among the youth?
• Does gambling promote laziness among consumers?
• What is the biblical perspective concerning gambling?
• What are the benefits of gambling?
• Does gambling contribute to the rise of the lazy generation?
• How does gambling affect individual satisfaction?
• What are the social benefits of online gambling?
• What is the relationship between gambling and passion for sports?
• Does gambling increase crimes?
• How do gambling victims cope with addiction?
• What are the possible benefits of banning gambling?
• What are the benefits of regulating gambling?
• Does gambling have an economic impact?
• How does gambling affect students?
• Should the state sponsor gambling?
• Should the government ban gambling in colleges?
• Should the taxation on gambling increase?
• Should the government impose strict rules to curb the expansion of gambling?
• Does charitable gambling affect charitable donations?
• What is the state's policy on gambling?
• What are financial markets structured differently from gambling markets?
• Why should gambling be policed or prohibited?
• How to write a Research Proposal .
• Interesting topics for psychology papers.

Before you Go!

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• Research article
• Open access
• Published: 22 August 2017

Why do young adults gamble online? A qualitative study of motivations to transition from social casino games to online gambling

• Hyoun S. Kim 1 ,
• Michael J. A. Wohl 2 ,
• Rina Gupta 3 &
• Jeffrey L. Derevensky 4  

Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health volume  7 , Article number:  6 ( 2017 ) Cite this article

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The present research examined the mechanisms of initiating online gambling among young adults. Of particular interest was whether social casino gaming was noted as part of young adults’ experience with online gambling. This is because there is growing concern that social casino gaming may be a ‘gateway’ to online gambling. Three focus groups ( N  = 21) were conducted with young adult online gamblers from two large Canadian Universities. Participants noted the role of peer influence as well as incentives (e.g., sign up bonuses) as important factors that motivated them to start engaging in online gambling. Participants also noted a link between social casino games and online gambling. Specifically, several young adults reported migrating to online gambling within a relatively short period after engaging with social casino games. Potential mechanisms that may lead to the migration from social casino games to online gambling included the role of advertisements and the inflated pay out rates on these free to play gambling like games. The results suggest initiatives to prevent the development of disordered gambling should understand the potential of social casino gaming to act as a gateway to online gambling, especially amongst this vulnerable population.

Over the past decade, the use of computers and the Internet has significantly altered the gambling landscape. The gambling industry is no longer bound by brick and mortar gambling venues (e.g., casinos, racetracks). Today, access to gambling activities can be achieved with a few keystrokes on a computer. One point of access that has gained increased attention from researchers in the field of gambling studies is social media sites such as Facebook (Wohl et al. 2017 ). In part, this increased attention is because social media sites have become a popular platform for people to access online gambling venues via hyperlinks embedded in advertisements (Abarbanel et al. 2016 ). Social media sites also allow users to engage in free-to-play simulated gambling games through applications. These free-to-play simulated gambling games have become referred to as social casino games (Gainsbury et al. 2014 ). There is evidence to suggest, however, that social casino game play may act as a ‘gateway’ to gambling for real money (for a review see Wohl et al. 2017 ).

The current research took a qualitative approach to assess young adult online gamblers experiences with online gambling to determine the process and mechanisms that may lead young adults to gamble online, including the role of social casino games. In other words, the present research aimed to examine the motivations for gambling online, including transitioning from social casino games to online gambling. A focus was placed on young adults’ experience with online gambling due to their propensity to gamble online (McBride and Derevensky 2009 ), play social casino games (Derevensky and Gainsbury 2016 ), as well as their elevated rates of disordered gambling (Welte et al. 2011 ). Further, social casino games were the focus as there is a current need to understand the issues regarding the gaming-social media crossover.

Online gambling and social casino gambling among young adults

The Internet has changed the way people engage in many activities, including gambling. Online gambling (compared with land-based gambling) provides players with ease of access, 24/7 accessibility, and confidentiality—all within the comfort of a person’s home. This ease of access has been flagged as a potential concern among researchers, regulators, and policy makers alike (Gainsbury 2015 ; Gainsbury and Wood 2011 ; Räsänen et al. 2013 ). Specifically, online gambling is often framed as a ‘risky’ form of gambling that may heighten the risk of developing a gambling disorder (Gainsbury et al. 2015b ; Griffiths et al. 2009 ; McBride and Derevensky 2009 ; Olason et al. 2011 ; Wood et al. 2007 ). In this light, it may be informative to examine factors that propel young adults to gamble online, including the link between social casino gaming and online gambling. This is because there is increasing evidence of the role played by social casino games in precipitating online gambling (Wohl et al. 2017 ) and young adults are increasingly exposed to social casino games (Kim et al. 2016 ).

Social casino games are an immensely popular form of entertainment, with millions of users playing in any given day (Derevensky and Gainsbury 2016 ; Martin 2014 ). One reason for their popularity may be their ubiquity on social network sites like Facebook , which provide ample opportunities to play social casino games via embedded apps (Gainsbury et al. 2014 ). Moreover, social casino games are among the most heavily advertised products on social network sites and convey the activity (i.e., gambling) as positive and glamorous (Gainsbury et al. 2015a ). These advertisements appear to have a significant influence on engagement with social casino games (SuperData 2016 ). It should be noted that some social casino games are now owned by online gambling operators who advertise their online gambling site within the social casino game, thus easing migration from social casino gaming to online gambling (Schneider 2012 ).

There is now converging evidence that suggests social casino gamers migrate to online gambling (Gainsbury et al. 2016 ; Kim et al. 2015 ). Furthermore, amongst people who engage in both gambling and social casino gaming, social casino games directly increase future gambling behaviors (Gainsbury et al. 2016 , 2017 ; Hollingshead et al. 2016 ). Social casino games are also popular among adolescents and young adults. In a large Canadian survey of over 10,000 students, roughly 9% reported having played social casino games (Elton-Marshall et al. 2016 ). In addition, a recent longitudinal study in a large sample of adolescents found that social casino games significantly predicted the transition to real money gambling (Dussault et al., in press). Providing further support for the popularity of social casino games, in focus groups with university students who were social media users, all participants reported being aware of the ample opportunities to play social casino games on Facebook, thus speaking to the increased exposure of these games on social networking sites (Kim et al. 2016 ).

Motivations for transitioning to online gambling from social casino gaming

Social casino games are popular among adolescents and young adults and may influence the transition to online gambling. Yet, researchers have paid little attention to potential processes or mechanisms that influences the transition to online gambling amongst this cohort, including the role played by social casino games. With that said, Hollingshead et al. ( 2016 ) argued that the motivations for playing social casino games likely mimic those of online gambling, including for excitement, to relieve boredom, and social motivations. In addition, they reported that some social casino gamers are motivated to engage in these games to hone their skills before playing for real money on online gambling sites. In line with Hollingshead et al. ( 2016 ) and King and Delfabbro ( 2016 ) proposed a framework for understanding factors that may increase or decrease the link between social casino gaming and online gambling among adolescents. Specifically, in their two pathways model, they identify both protective (e.g., early losses, awareness of risks, boredom) and risk factors (e.g., peer pressure, early big wins, greater confidence of winning) that may lead adolescents who are exposed to social casino games to either be disinterested in gambling or to increase future gambling behaviors.

The present research sought to add to the growing literature on the potential link between social casino gaming and online gambling. To do so, focus groups with young adult online gamblers were conducted to explore their motivations for gambling online, including the potential role social casino games played in initiating or facilitating online gambling behaviors. Focus groups provide a compromise between obtaining personal experiences without having to interview people individually, while also having a group environment where other people’s experience stimulate the recall and views of others. In this light, focus groups are an effective method of obtaining a variety of detailed information in an exploratory way.

Participants

Twenty-one young adults (18 males, 3 females) were recruited from two large Canadian Universities to participate in one of three focus groups described as being about young adults’ experience with online gambling. Specifically, the study was advertised as a focus group for people who gambling online. It was explained that we were interested in online gamblers’ “opinions and experiences regarding online gambling”.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: college students aged 18–24 years who reported gambling online at least twice per month. The method of recruitment occurred in two ways. First, all incoming first year students at one of the large Canadian universities complete a short survey screening for disordered gambling. Embedded in that questionnaire were items that assessed online gambling. This allowed us to recruit participants who met the inclusion criteria for the focus groups. Only those who consented to be recruited for future studies were contacted. The second method of recruitment consisted of visiting large classrooms and advertising the study at both universities.

While every effort was made to recruit an equal number of male and female online gamblers we were unable to do so despite our best efforts. Moreover, seven individuals who had initially agreed to participate in the study subsequently notified the research team before the group meeting that they could not participate for logistical reasons (i.e., work and school commitments, unexpected appointments). Participants in the first group were compensated $20 for their time and those in the remaining two groups were provided with $40 (the increased compensation was used as an incentive to attract a greater number of participants and was cleared by the authors’ Research Ethics Board). Additionally, participants were provided food and beverages throughout the course of the discussions that ensued.

Procedure and materials

All participants were provided with a description of the study objectives and were asked to read and sign an informed consent prior to participating in the current research. Participants were informed they were free to terminate participation at any time without penalty. Thereafter, participants were asked to complete a short background questionnaire, which included demographic information (gender, age), frequency of gambling, and how knowledgeable they believe themselves to be on the topic of online gambling.

A series of open-ended questions were asked of the group as part of a larger project assessing online gambling among young adults. For the present research, two open-ended questions were of importance. The first examined general factors that lead young adults to gamble online, “I’d like to gain a better understanding of the things that lead to online gambling in the first place. Based on what you know, what are the factors, the events, or the influences that result in a young person deciding to bet money on gambling activities online?” The second assessed the social casino game-online gambling link including the potential mechanisms, “You know that social media sites have gambling-type games such as Texas-Hold’em or Sloto-mania. In your opinion, do you think experience with these games leads a person to seek online gambling sites? In other words, do these types of games serve as a form of initiation to gambling online with real money?”

A licensed clinical psychologist trained in conducting focus groups led the discussions accompanied by two note-takers. Each group was approximately 60–75 min in duration and discussions were conducted at two Canadian universities. Two recording devices recorded the focus group to ensure no loss of data. Upon the completion of the focus groups, the discussions were subsequently transcribed by a professional coder and coded by two independent reviewers. The initial categories generated by the data were highly consistent between the two raters with regards to general themes and number of categories. The data was reviewed two additional times to arrive at a consensus when disagreements between raters were noted. Categorical names were arrived through consensus after discussion between raters. NVivo 10 qualitative research software for qualitative analyses was used to organize and quantify the data.

With respect to frequency of online gambling, 52% of individuals indicated gambling less than once per week, while 48% indicated gambling at least once per week or several times per week. Seventy-six percent of individuals indicated gambling more frequently and/or for longer periods of time than intended (61.9% occasionally; 14.4% often). Participants were asked to indicate on a 7-point Likert scale how knowledgeable they perceived themselves to be on the topic of online gambling. The overall mean score was 4.38. The majority of the sample (85.7%) indicated that they tend to play on one or two online gambling sites, whereas 14.3% stated they like to experiment with different sites. Importantly, more than half (62%) of the participants revealed playing social casino games (e.g., Texas Hold’em ) on Facebook or on other platforms. Of the participants ( n  = 3) who spontaneously reported having transitioned from playing for fun to online gambling, they did so in relatively short period of time. One participant reported transitioning after only two weeks, while another stated having moved to real money gambling after a couple of months.

General factors leading to online gambling

Several themes emerged in regards to the factors that led the emerging adults to online gambling. For example, some of the emerging adults in the focus groups stated that friends played an important role in their initial participation to online gambling. Specifically, several participants reported having first learned to gamble with friends and thereafter transitioning to online gambling as their friends were not always available.

From my personal experience for example, I started gambling online with poker because I started playing poker with friends, and that is how I got to gambling online… with friends they did not always have the time [to play poker]. Gambling online was just easier – with friends they did not always have time.

Another theme that was noted in the precipitation of online gambling was the incentives (e.g., sign up bonuses) offered by online gambling. The young adult online gamblers noted that the first time they gambled online was when they were offered bonuses and free credits. Indeed, the participants agreed that the bonuses were an important incentive in moving to online gambling.

The bonuses actually attract us to them. You don’t get that at the casino.

For me the first incentive was they offered us 10 lb… so I got the 10 lb and then started betting real money

Motivations from transitioning from social casino games to online gambling

Texas Hold’em with free chips, that’s how I started. A general progression starts with these Facebook entertainment games which are purely for fun and some people take it to the next level where it’s for fun and money, that’s where we are now - most of us and then some people will take it eventually to the next level where the fun has disappeared and they are just doing it for the money.

Social casino games were noted as a potential factor that influenced the initiation of online gambling among young adults. In fact, whilst the moderator had intentions to bring up social casino games as a topic, in all three focus groups, the young adult online gamblers spontaneously brought up social casino games. These results indicate that social casino games are a salient aspect of young adult online gamblers’ experiences. Not surprisingly, the young adult online gamblers mentioned the constant advertisements as a potential factor that may lead social casino gamers to online gambling. Specifically, the frequent nature of the advertisements that provided social media users with an opportunity was brought up by several focus group members, with few young adult online gamblers mentioned the role of advertisement in the transition to online gambling.

I’d argue that you are just sort of lured into playing more through back link advertising where you will have all these ads like partypoker.com keep coming back at you even when you are on other sites…

… and obviously the companies [social media] give out the information on things that you are doing like all the games and poker, even though it’s not for money. Your side bar has all advertisements that are personalized to you so for me I see a lot of gambling, sports, apparel stuff and stuff like that is all on my side bar.

When I started, it was Facebook. Randomly the opportunity comes up with ads. I was stressed so I went to the online casino from Facebook. Every day, every day, the online casino sends you notifications…

The young adult online gamblers also noted a link between social casino games and online gambling, with several participants stating they transitioned to online gambling after playing for free on Facebook. One potential implication is the inflated payout rate offered by social casino games. The focus group members noted they win more frequently on social casino games, which provides them a sense of hope that they would be winning money had they been gambling for real. There was a general sense of needing to be “smart” and “savvy” to not fall prey to the tactics of online casinos and social media sites.

Once you play for fun, they sort of get people into the gambling, you think ok, this would be great if it were real money, so you try. That’s the way the websites make you go through that road.

They want you to win… if you are winning on Facebook and then you see [an advertisement] on the side to go online to play at party poker you will think if I can do this for free I can do this for real and then you go to do it for real and the next thing you know you are down $150 when you were getting Blackjack with the other one [social casino site].

There was a consensus that social casino games provided an excellent learning opportunity. Specifically, social casino games allow people to learn rules, procedures, and strategies to gamble.

So regardless of whether it is Facebook or just the practice sites on the online casinos, it’s a natural progression to start from social casino games: train, learn… then you realize you are not learning enough because people are not taking the game seriously, and then you move onto paying.

I don’t know those procedures so I don’t play (in casinos). But online who is going to yell at you online? So like you can just practice online and you can play lower [limit] tables. Basically you can practice online without other people yelling at you.

Participants also noted that after playing for free, they transitioned to online in part as most players who play for free do not play the game the ‘right way’

The difference between a table with real money and a table with fake money, the people with fake money, they don’t do the moves they usually do with their real money. You just mess around, you don’t really care “Oh I’m all in” – it’s like you don’t care. But at the real tables everyone plays the way they want to play. You get to learn a lot when you play.

I started playing online and when I played online without money I realized this was not really like anywhere close to the situation you would be in at a real table cause you don’t have any money on it, so I decided to start gambling with money.

However, not everyone perceived a link between social casino games and online gambling. These individuals explained that the interfaces of the games were so different (social media being much less sophisticated) that people who are attracted to one would likely not be attracted to the other.

I don’t think it’s as dangerous as people make it to be. If I want to switch from gambling on Facebook to a real site I just go to Google and type in poker and have it [online site].

You start playing poker with your friends and like you move from that step onto other things. I don’t think you go from Facebook to gambling. I don’t see that as a gateway at all.

In today’s technological world, young adults are exposed to a plethora of opportunities to engage in gambling activities, including simulated gambling games on social media sites. For some young adults, exposure to gambling and gambling-like activities may result in the over-involvement of gambling. In three focus groups, motivations that influenced young adults to engage in online gambling were explored. The participants noted several factors that motivated them to engage in online gambling: including suggestions from friends, the ease and accessibility of online gambling (compared to land-based venues), and incentives offered by the online gambling operators (e.g., $10 in free play).

The results of our present research may have important implications for the progression and maintenance of online gambling among young adults. First, several participants reported having been drawn to online gambling by bonuses offered by the gambling operators. Whilst incentives may help attract new customers, it should be noted that they may not be creating frequent customers. Indeed, free-play offers (e.g., bonus offers) bring customers into a gambling venue, but fail to generate significant increases in volume of play (Lucas et al. 2005 ). Having said that, given that online gambling is often framed as a risky form of gambling, in part due to the increased accessibility, whether operators should be allowed to offer incentives, especially amongst vulnerable population may be an important question which policy makers should address.

In addition to general factors that may motivate young adults to engage in online gambling, potential mechanisms for the social casino games-online gambling link were explored. One potential mechanism noted by the participants that may lead to the migration of online gambling from social casino games involves the use of advertisements by the online gambling operators. Specifically, it was noted that gambling operators sometimes use social casino games to advertise gambling activities without legal restrictions because it is a game. Indeed, as social casino games are not technically gambling activities, there is no regulation in regards to advertisement, prompting some to suggest that advertisements for social casino games be held to the same standard as gambling (Gainsbury et al. 2014 ). It has been suggested that these advertisements are more likely to appear to young adults and adolescents (Abarbanel et al. 2016 ). Further, advertisements for gambling (including social casino games) are frequent on social media sites and portray the positive aspects of gambling without any of the potential dangers (Gainsbury et al. 2016 ). Some of the participants in the focus groups reported moving from social casino games to real money gambling due to the constant advertisements of online casinos. As young adults may be more likely to be influenced by advertisements (Derevensky et al. 2010 ), some researchers have suggested that advertisements for social casino games be held to the same standard as gambling (Derevensky and Gainsbury 2016 ). Our results seem to provide support for this suggestion.

A second mechanism by which players migrated from social casino games to online gambling was via the inflated payout rates on social casino games. Note this mechanism was also identified in the two pathways model proposed by King and Delfabbro ( 2016 ). Specifically, participants felt an increased confidence in winning should they have engaged in real-money gambling. Further, several participants stated that their frequent wins on social casino games propelled them to try engaging in online gambling. This is in line with previous research, which found that a portion of casino gamers play these games to build up their ‘skill’ before migrating to gambling in land-based or online gambling venues (see Kim et al. 2016 ). However, the inflated payout rates may give players an inflated belief in the skill, and, of course, there is no skill if the game of choice is one of pure-chance, like a slot machine. In fact, social casino game outcomes are not based on random odds and mathematics, but are rather designed to enhance player enjoyment (Wohl et al. 2017 ). Because of this, the social casino gamer wins more than he loses (Sévigny et al. 2005 ), which in turn, may falsely increase their confidence in winning, as proposed by King and Delfabbro ( 2016 ). Providing further support that frequent wins and perception of skills as a process by which social casino games to lead to online gambling, Hollingshead et al. ( 2016 ) showed that playing social casino games for skill purposes have been linked to problematic gambling behaviors. In this light, it would behoove regulators to enforce payout rates that are similar to gambling activities, or at very least mandate social casino gaming operators to inform players of that social casino games are not based on random odds as their gambling counterparts.

According to Blaszczynski and Nower’s ( 2002 ) pathways model of problem and pathological gambling, there are three distinct subgroups of gamblers, each with different pathways that manifest in problem gambling behaviors. In the model, the starting point is ecological factors, which include increased availability and accessibility. In this way, social casino games may influence the development of problem gambling among young adults by providing ease of access and increased availability. Indeed, one of the concerns of social casino games is that although they purport to have age verifications, a UK study found that 300,000 youths aged 11–16 reported having engaged in free online gambling games in the past week (Parke et al. 2013 ). Furthermore, it is plausible that if social casino games lead to the development of problem gambling, it does through Pathway 1, the behaviourally conditioned gambler. This pathway includes cognitive mechanisms such as irrational beliefs and illusion of control, which may manifest due to the inflated payout rates on social casino games. That said, this is an assertion and would be in need of empirical support.

Limitations

Some limitations of the current study should be noted. First, we did not recruit a sufficient number of female online gamblers to ascertain different trends and cognitions that may be gender-specific. That said, studies have consistently found that online gamblers tend to be young males (Griffiths et al. 2009 ; for a review see Gainsbury 2015 ). Thus, we have confidence that the observed results maintain ecological validity. Secondly, the findings of the current project are not intended to be reflective of the college population as a whole. Rather, the findings are qualitative in nature and should be used to guide future research initiatives. Lastly, we recruited online gamblers to participant in the focus groups, rather than social casino gamers. Thus, the current study cannot speak to social casino games being a deterrent to online gambling (e.g., knowing you can’t win).

The Internet has drastically shaped the way in which people engage with the world, including with gambling activities. Furthermore, social networking sites have become a fabric of the modern day world. While the Internet and specifically social networking sites are a great medium to stay connected with loved ones, they have increasingly become an avenue to engage in gambling activities, including simulated forms of gambling (i.e., social casino games). The present research explored the motivations that push young adults to engage in online gambling, including the role of social casino games. Further research and attention is needed in this domain to mitigate the potential migration from gaming to gambling, specifically amongst those most vulnerable.

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Authors' contributions

MW, JD, and RG, conceptualized the research project. RG, conducted the focus groups. HK wrote the first draft of the manuscript and MW, JD, and RG, edited subsequent versions. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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This research was funded by a grant from the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (#3400).

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Kim, H.S., Wohl, M.J.A., Gupta, R. et al. Why do young adults gamble online? A qualitative study of motivations to transition from social casino games to online gambling. Asian J of Gambling Issues and Public Health 7 , 6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40405-017-0025-4

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How structural changes in online gambling are shaping the contemporary experiences and behaviours of online gamblers: an interview study

Nerilee hing.

1 Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity, University Drive, Bundaberg, QLD 4670 Australia

Michele Smith

Matthew rockloff, hannah thorne.

2 Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, South Australia 5000 Australia

Alex M. T. Russell

3 Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity, 400 Kent St, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

Nicki A. Dowling

4 School of Psychology, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Rd, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC 3216 Australia

5 Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, 234 Queensberry Street, Parkville, VIC 3053 Australia

Helen Breen

6 Southern Cross University, Military Rd, East Lismore, NSW 2480 Australia

Associated Data

The data that support the findings of this study are available from Gambling Research Australia, but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of Gambling Research Australia.

Over the last decade, the provision of online gambling has intensified with increased access, enhanced betting markets, a broader product range, and prolific marketing. However, little research has explored how this intensification is influencing contemporary gambling experiences. This study focused on two research questions: 1) What changes in online gambling have online gamblers observed over the past decade? 2) How have these changes influenced the online gambling experiences and behaviours reported by treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking gamblers?

Two samples of Australian adults were interviewed: 1) 19 people who had been gambling online for at least a decade and with no history of treatment-seeking for online gambling, and 2) 10 people who had recently sought professional help for an online gambling problem. Telephone interviews were semi-structured, with questions that encouraged participants to consider how their online gambling, including any harmful gambling, had been influenced by changes in operator practices and online gambling environments. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Both treatment- and non-treatment-seekers noted the increased speed and ease of online gambling, which now enables instant access from anywhere at any time and increased their gambling opportunities. Both groups highlighted the continued proliferation of advertising and inducements for online gambling, particularly during televised sports and racing events, in social media, and through targeted push marketing. Many treatment- and non-treatment-seekers were aware of the vast range of recently introduced bet types, particularly multi-bets. Treatment-seekers disproportionately reported negative effects from these changes, and described how and why they fostered their increased gambling, impulsive gambling, persistence and loss-chasing. They reported limited uptake and effectiveness of current harm minimisation tools.

Conclusions

Counter to stated policy and practice objectives to minimise gambling harm, industry changes that have made online gambling easier, faster, and more heavily incentivised, and increased the array of complex bets with poorer odds, unduly affect addicted and harmed individuals – who are also the most profitable customers. Further consideration is needed to ensure gambling policy, industry practices and public health measures more effectively reduce gambling harm in contemporary settings. Inducements and the poor pricing of complex bets such as multi-bets, and their outsized attraction to players with problems, should be a key focus.

Online gambling first became available in the 1990s and has since rapidly expanded in scope and availability. Globally, millions of adults now gamble using internet-connected devices, including smartphones, computers and tablets. Past-year prevalence of online gambling appears to be particularly high in Nordic countries, reaching 37% in Norway [ 1 ] and 36% in Finland [ 2 ]. By comparison, rates are substantially lower in the United Kingdom (21%) [ 3 ], Australia (17.5%) [ 4 ], and Canada (6.4%) [ 5 ]. These different rates reflect jurisdictional variations in the introduction, legality and practicalities around provision of online gambling products. Nonetheless, online gambling has continued to increase over time in countries where it has been legalised [ 6 ], fundamentally changing the way that many gambling products are provided and consumed.

Studies have identified several features that distinguish online gambling from land-based gambling that may facilitate gambling participation, problems, and harm (e.g., [ 7 – 10 ]). These include instant 24/7 access from any location; its immersive, private, and solitary nature; use of digital money; the speed of betting transactions; and receiving gambling advertising directly on a gambling device. However, features of online gambling have not remained static, with recent developments characterised as “complex, dynamic and fast moving” ([ 11 ], p.1). The provision of online gambling has intensified with increased access, enhanced betting markets, a broader product range, and prolific marketing; all changes that may influence the experience of contemporary online gamblers. At the same time, harm minimisation tools that aim to help people to self-regulate their online gambling have increased.

The intensification of online gambling

Increased access.

Since the inception of online gambling, internet access has increased dramatically, allowing more people to gamble online [ 12 ]. Smartphones now enable immediate and location-independent access to online gambling, allowing gambling to be integrated into everyday activities at home or work, while commuting, in social settings, and when watching betting events [ 13 – 16 ]. Faster internet speeds and streamlined financial transactions on gambling websites and apps have also accelerated the betting process [ 17 , 18 ].

Enhanced betting markets

A major change over the last decade has been the continued “industrialisation” of online gambling, spawning an ecosystem characterised by multinational gambling operators, mass-media supported sports and races, digitalisation of betting products, and increased gambling sponsorship and advertising [ 19 – 22 ]. This corporatisation of the industry has manifested in several changes, as operators jostle to succeed in an industry with strong competition, limited scope for product differentiation, and low switching costs for customers [ 23 , 24 ]. Competitive strategies include the provision of varied online gambling opportunities, product innovations and extensive marketing.

A broader product range

Operators now provide more online betting options than ever before. The volume of “bettable” sports, racing and esports events has expanded globally, with increased broadcast coverage on television, streaming and mobile platforms [ 19 , 25 ]. Combined with 24/7 access, customers can now watch and bet on a near-unlimited array of domestic and international events across time zones [ 20 ]. Online casinos provide an extensive range of products and enable simultaneous gambling on several games [ 26 ]. New gambling forms have emerged, including betting on daily fantasy sports, esports and an increased array of novelty events, although their uptake has been relatively modest [ 4 , 27 , 28 ]. Skins and cryptocurrency provide expanded payment options and enable anonymous expenditure [ 29 , 30 ].

Consumers have widely adopted extensive innovations in bet types. Bets can now be placed before and after match commencement and on numerous in-match contingencies, such as half-time scores, increasing each event’s betting markets [ 31 , 32 ]. In-play betting elevates the risk of gambling harm since it enables bettors to place more bets per event, engage in high-speed continuous betting, and persist and extend online betting sessions [ 18 , 33 ]. Research indicates higher rates of harmful gambling amongst in-play bettors [ 34 – 36 ], including those who bet on micro events, an accelerated form of in-play betting requiring rapid decision-making [ 37 , 38 ]. Novel betting products also enable changes to betting decisions during play. Using cash-out options, betting becomes an increasingly continuous activity with heightened potential for loss of control, irrational decisions, impulsive gambling, increased emotional involvement, and illusions of control [ 39 – 41 ]. Moreover, cashing out is associated with increased likelihood of gambling problems [ 36 , 42 ]. Other innovated bet types, such as accumulators, multi-bets and complex bets, may have similar effects because they typically have less favourable odds, plus other structural characteristics likely to increase susceptibility to gambling harm [ 32 , 41 , 42 ].

Prolific marketing

Increased industry competition has spawned the intensification of advertising for online gambling. This advertising is extensive in social media, online channels, and direct messaging via emails, texts and push notifications [ 43 – 45 ]. Gambling operators have continued to increase their social media presence, use of social influencers (e.g., affiliate marketers), and advertisements on streaming platforms and gaming apps [ 30 , 46 ]. Television advertising remains extensive, particularly during sports and racing events [ 43 , 47 – 49 ]. Online gambling operators also gain extensive brand exposure as sponsors of sports and races [ 24 ]. Overall, gambling advertising is highly targeted, concentrated in sports and social media, and focuses on promoting brand awareness, complex bets with long odds, and financial inducements to bet [ 44 , 50 ]. Financial inducements have become a mainstay. They incentivise betting through offering “something for nothing” such as matching deposits and bonus bets, or “reduced risk” such as refunds and cash-out options [ 19 , 32 , 51 , 52 ]. Embedded in digital media, consumers can click on a link in the promotion to immediately place the bet [ 45 , 53 ].

Harm minimisation tools in online gambling

The intensification of online gambling has been accompanied by the introduction of several consumer protection tools. For example, the Australian Government is implementing the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering. Measures include a voluntary opt-out pre-commitment scheme for setting deposit limits on betting accounts. Additional tools yet to be introduced include player activity statements, consistent safe gambling messaging, and a national self-exclusion register. Most licensed operators already provide options for player activity statements, limit-setting and self-exclusion. Only a minority of customers use these tools [ 4 ]. Lower-risk gamblers are resistant because they already feel in control of their gambling [ 54 – 56 ], while higher-risk gamblers may not want to limit their gambling [ 57 ] or find limits and self-exclusion easy to circumvent by opening additional accounts [ 58 ]. Nonetheless, customers who use harm minimisation tools tend to find them useful [ 55 , 56 , 59 ].

Despite the rapidly changing industry dynamics discussed above, there is limited research on how the greater scope and variety in the provision of online gambling is influencing contemporary gambling experiences specifically for online gamblers as opposed to gamblers in general. A recent review noted the need for qualitative studies to better understand emerging technologies and new trends in gambling [ 25 ]. The current study helps to redress this need, focusing on Australia, where online gambling is now the fastest growing form of gambling, especially on sports, races and lotteries which can be legally provided to residents [ 4 ].

Study aims, design and setting

The study aimed to better understand emerging technologies and new trends in gambling through a qualitative interview study based on the lived experiences of online gamblers in Australia. It focuses on two research questions:

• What key changes in online gambling have online gamblers observed over the past decade?
• How have these changes influenced the online gambling experiences and behaviours reported by treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking gamblers?

Understanding how these recent changes may have influenced gambling and related harm for online gamblers is important to inform contemporary policy and harm minimisation measures. While numerous studies have provided cross-sectional quantitative data on online gambling behaviour (e.g., [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 60 ]), limited research has drawn on gamblers’ lived experiences to understand how recent changes in online gambling influence their gambling choices.

Recruitment and samples

The study recruited two samples of interviewees from a database of participants in the researchers’ prior gambling studies (references blinded for review) who had agreed to be invited into further research. Inclusion criteria were aged 18 years or over; living in Australia; and either: (a) reporting gambling online in our 2012 survey on online gambling, and reporting gambling online at least fortnightly in our 2020 survey on online gambling, and with no history of treatment-seeking for online gambling (non-treatment-seekers); or (b) having sought treatment for problems with online gambling in the last three years (recent treatment-seekers). In this context, treatment-seeking meant they had sought professional help for problems relating to their online gambling, from a face-to-face service, telephone, or online service. Recruiting these two samples enabled the exploration of perceived changes in online gambling over the past decade, as well as how these changes may have differentially impacted on those who had, versus those who had not, sought professional help for their online gambling.

Potential participants across a range of ages, genders, and locations were invited via email to participate in an interview. To avoid oversampling, email invitations were sent in batches of 20 to potential participants in the non-treatment-seeker group. To recruit the target of 20 participants, 102 people were emailed, yielding a response rate of 19.6%. Email invitations were sent in batches of 20 (and then 50) to potential participants in the treatment-seeker group. To recruit a target of 10 participants, 452 individuals were emailed, yielding a response rate of 2.2%. These sample sizes were prearranged with the funding agency and based on pragmatic decisions about what was achievable within the project timelines and budget. This sampling decision also recognised the inherent greater difficulty of recruiting participants who had sought professional help for problems relating to their online gambling, which is reflected in the lower response rate for this cohort. As noted by Braun and Clarke [ 61 ], determining sample size relies on a combination of interpretative, situated, and pragmatic judgment about how many participants are needed to enable a rich analysis of patterns related to the research topic, and the number required for data saturation cannot be known in advance [ 62 ]. Ideally, sample size should be adjusted during data collection to reach saturation. This was not possible as in the current study the funding agency required definitive sample sizes in advance of the research. Therefore, data saturation may not have been achieved with these prearranged sample sizes.

Individuals who expressed interest in participating were emailed a link to an information sheet and consent form, which included contact details for help services. Those who consented were then phoned to confirm eligibility and arrange an interview time. One researcher conducted telephone interviews with non-treatment-seekers, and one provisionally registered psychologist conducted telephone interviews with treatment-seekers. The interviews were semi-structured, with questions and prompts to encourage participants to consider how their online gambling, including any harmful gambling, had been influenced by changes in operator practices such as advertising, inducements, gambling products and financial transactions; and changes in online gambling environments such as online and mobile access. Interviews lasted for between 45 and 60 min and were professionally transcribed. Participants received a $50 shopping voucher.

Participants

Thirty participants from five Australian states were interviewed. This included 20 non-treatment seekers, aged between 32 and 87 years ( M  = 55.9 years), but one interviewee’s data was subsequently excluded from analysis after disclosing prior treatment-seeking for online gambling many years earlier. Of the remaining 19 participants, 18 were male, and they mainly gambled on sports and races using a smartphone. Nine male and one female treatment-seeking gamblers, aged between 21 and 68 years ( M  = 41.8 years) participated. Seven gambled mainly on sports and races, two on online slots, and one on online poker, mostly using a smartphone. Tables ​ Tables1 1 and ​ and2 2 summarise the key demographic characteristics and gambling behaviours of participants.

Key characteristics of non-treatment-seeking (NTS) online gamblers

NSW New South Wales, VIC Victoria, QLD Queensland, SA South Australia, WA Western Australia

Key characteristics of treatment-seeking (TS) online gamblers

Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s protocols for thematic analysis [ 63 ]. After data familiarisation through multiple readings of the interview transcripts, the analyst generated initial codes by systematically working through each transcript and collating the codes into potential themes and sub-themes using an iterative process of review and refinement. To enhance trustworthiness, the analysis was checked by the interviewers and a second researcher, with further refinements made to ensure it faithfully captured important aspects of the lived experience reported by participants. Participants’ quotes from non-treatment-seeking (NTS) and treatment-seeking (TS) subgroups are used to highlight types of content that informed the construction of the themes in the results that follow.

The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at CQUniversity (reference: 22230).

The analysis identified several themes and subthemes relating to perceived changes in online gambling over the past decade, and how these changes were perceived to influence the online gambling behaviour of participants (Table ​ (Table3 3 ).

Themes and sub-themes from interviews with treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking online gamblers

Theme 1. Changes in the accessibility, ease and speed of online gambling

Increased accessibility.

Participants highlighted how smartphones have increased access to online gambling anywhere and anytime, whereas “10 years ago, I just had to come home and do it on the laptop…time and place that you can place a bet [have increased]” (NTS8). Most non-treatment-seekers preferred to gamble using a smartphone at home, describing the ease, comfort, convenience, anonymity, and quieter environment compared to a sports event or venue. Some said this gave them more time to research betting markets and make informed decisions. Others felt it enhanced their discipline and control over gambling compared with being out in venues drinking with friends, placing larger bets more often, and chasing losses.

Treatment-seekers also preferred to gamble from home, with most using a smartphone. Two did not drive due to medical conditions and two others sought to avoid unpleasant, noisy, or intoxicated people and cigarette smoke in venues. Four treatment-seekers preferred the privacy of online betting to avoid feeling stigmatised. One who described “significant impacts” from his online gambling, including depression and losing his family’s trust, explained:

It’s very private and that’s a good feeling. No one’s watching you, no one’s judging you…Because of my history, I’ve still got this paranoia…I don’t want people to see me. (TS6)

All treatment-seekers discussed how easy, quick and convenient it was to gamble from home, without the effort of visiting a venue. “You’ve got to get up…get changed…drive down there…Where you can just sit in your pyjamas…[and] bet at 6am on your couch” (TS4). Another treatment-seeker who had “ruined a couple of interpersonal relationships” due to his gambling and associated lying noted: “You can just be in the comfort of your own home. Throwing your money in the bin there instead” (TS7). Access to international events provided around-the-clock betting opportunities on races and sports. “Now it’s like 24 h. Back when I was younger, it stopped and there was no international racing” (TS10). “And sport is on every day of the week, 24/7 virtually” (TS4).

Increased speed and ease

Eleven non-treatment-seekers commented that increased internet speeds enabled instantaneous gambling, including in-play betting, easy use of gambling websites and apps, and access to the latest betting information. Smartphones enhanced this instant availability: “You’ve got so much information now…on the app on the phone, you can get the form… replays…podcasts” (NTS17). In contrast, “years ago…you had to wait for the results to come in…now…everything…is instantaneous” (NTS1).

Treatment-seekers noted how quickly and easily they could act on betting information and start betting: “I can go from turning my phone on to having a bet on in the space of 20 s…I don’t need to be getting anywhere or making a phone call” (TS2).

Faster financial transactions

Non-treatment-seekers reported that faster methods to deposit and withdraw money facilitated betting transactions and made online gambling more attractive. Several treatment-seekers reported beneficial changes, such as recent shorter delays in withdrawing funds, which reduced the temptation to gamble winnings. Treatment-seekers also reported downsides, such as placing bets with a single button press, making it easy to spend large amounts. One treatment-seeker reported a “massive impact” because deposits that previously could not be accessed until the following day were now instantly available for betting (TS10). This change removed the delay that had helped him control his betting by preventing him from immediately chasing losses. He described the “trap” which enabled easy transfers from bank accounts to betting accounts to facilitate continued betting and loss-chasing. Another treatment-seeker reported that withdrawals could be cancelled within an eight-hour window, which facilitated chasing losses (TS2).

While financial transactions had become faster, treatment-seekers reported that some operators required betting account verification to withdraw money, but not to open an account and make deposits. Account verification might take several days, in which time any winnings might be gambled away:

So easy to deposit money…In five seconds, bang…then some of them make it very hard to withdraw…it can be 24 hours to verify your account…by that time, your money has been spent already. (TS6)

Reported effects of increased ease, speed and access to online gambling

Non-treatment-seekers observed that the increased ease and speed of online gambling increased its potential for harm, and three reported periods of impaired control. Reduced cooling-off periods between bets increased the likelihood of chasing losses:

If you’ve got to ring up…you’ve got a bit more of a cooling-off period than if you’re sort of doubling down. If you can put the punts online…it speeds things up, and it creates that possibility” (NTS19).

Another non-treatment-seeker described “going on tilt” when his online betting became reckless and uncontrolled, with escalating losses resulting in emotional frustration and abandonment of planned betting strategies (NTS2). Most non-treatment-seekers, however, did not report any harmful effects of changed access to online gambling, explaining they prioritised their family’s welfare, knew when to stop, or set limits on their betting.

In contrast, treatment-seekers reported that more convenient and easier access to online gambling had increased their gambling frequency and expenditure: “If I didn’t have access to online gambling, my gambling would be reduced by 80%” (TS2). Several treatment-seekers discussed how 24/7 access to online gambling facilitated betting on international events and removed constraints such as venue closing times. One participant who had experienced “deep financial problems” from playing online slots (pokies) explained, “When you go to a regular club, they close… With online pokies, it was…24 h a day, seven days a week…That certainly contributed to me doing it more” (TS3).

Treatment-seekers acknowledged that the privacy afforded by online gambling, particularly on a smartphone, made it easier to hide from family: “You can gamble online more sneakily…because you can just do it on your phone and you could be saying, ‘I’m just texting a friend’” (TS10). Three treatment-seekers were drawn to the immersive qualities of online gambling because it took their mind off worries. “I could lose myself in it…a totally different world…take me out of myself for a while…I would do [online pokies] every day…hours at a time” (TS3).

Theme 2. Changes in the advertising of online gambling

Increased advertising.

All participants noted the proliferation of online gambling advertising across all media platforms, particularly during televised sports events:

It’s in your face. It’s everywhere…the radio station…the shows you watch…Foxtel …newspaper...certain websites and all their bloody ads pop up...Facebook…notifications…on TV…on your computer…a footy match…posters around the stadium…I just don’t reckon there’s a day where [sic] you don’t see something. (TS6)

Treatment-seekers who bet on sports or races further increased their exposure to this advertising by watching programs and networks devoted to sports and racing. “I see it everywhere because I’ve got Skytell on a lot, and TVN” (TS10).

Increased social media advertising and push marketing

Participants frequently received targeted social media and push marketing messages for online gambling including emails, notifications, text messages and phone calls. One non-treatment-seeker thought the huge quantity of social media advertising began a few years ago when gambling advertising was restricted during televised sporting events. He described being assigned an account manager “who bugs you and sends you text messages and calls…a phone call every now and then…a text from him pretty much every Friday night…emails” (NTS6).

Treatment-seekers also noted the high frequency of gambling advertising on online and social media platforms: “What I follow is gambling-related, so I see it on Twitter. Even my Facebook page. I see it everywhere” (TS10); “Facebook a lot. I see a little bit on Instagram as well. Snapchat… A little bit on YouTube” (TS2).

Reported effects of advertising on online gambling

Some non-treatment-seekers found the advertising irritating, persistent and offensive, and had therefore blocked or disregarded it: “they are trying to be greedy and trying to get you in” (NTS1). However, one said it enticed him to bet, while another indicated that he would normally investigate the advertised offer. A few treatment-seekers said they were not influenced by online gambling advertising because they ignored it or no longer used social media. Others, however, reported that advertising had enticed them to sign up to new betting websites, even after self-excluding from other sites:

I certainly signed up to websites 100% based on seeing new ones pop up [on ads]...I go, ‘Shit, I haven’t joined that one. I’m self-excluded on the others. This is a new one I can join up on. Beauty’. (TS6)

Another treatment-seeker who had experienced considerable financial consequences and subsequently stopped playing online slots, reported that she still received emails from online casinos. She worried that these advertisements still had the power to tempt her to play. Several treatment-seekers reasoned that regulation should limit gambling advertising because it was “overwhelming…especially if you have a problem” (TS8).

Theme 3. Changes in inducements for online gambling

Amount and types of inducements.

Sixteen non-treatment-seekers had used inducements, but some no longer received these offers after earlier wins. Non-treatment-seekers reported that inducements remained prolific but had peaked several years ago when industry competition was most intense. Some potentially misleading inducements had been restricted: “bonuses…back in the day, they were unregulated then. They were so rigged it was ridiculous” (NTS2). Non-treatment-seekers observed that inducements now had stricter conditions, such as time limits. Many, however, reported having accounts with multiple operators so they could access the best inducements.

In contrast, treatment-seekers reported that the number and types of inducements had increased rapidly, were advertised by all operators, and included deposit bonuses, bonus bets, bonus credit, price freezes, money-back offers, odds boosts, protest payouts, double your winnings, and free spins and credits on online pokies. They also received inducements through direct marketing:

I’m with so many corporates, one might do it [text me] one week, one might do it the next week…Especially on a Friday…they pump out all the text messages and the promos because most guys will bet on Saturday. (TS10)

Reported effects of inducements on online betting

Some non-treatment-seekers acknowledged being drawn in by inducements. One participant noted how enticed he was by bonuses, but recognised the importance of remaining in control:

Deposit $1,000, get a $200 bonus. Why wouldn’t I use it? I’d be mad not to… If you can control your gambling… If you can’t control your gambling, then it’s maybe not a good idea. (NTS9)

Other non-treatment-seekers said they always examined terms and conditions, and researched new operators before signing up: “just suss out exactly what they’re offering…it’s got to be something that really catches my eye for me to think about opening an [additional] account” (NTS6).

Non-treatment-seekers noted carefully assessing the value of inducements before using them. Several researched individual components of combined contingencies to ensure the inducement’s value exceeded what could be obtained without it. Despite this cautious attitude, some non-treatment-seekers reported being attracted by inducements, especially bonus bets because they provided more betting funds.

In contrast, treatment-seeking participants did not report exercising caution or attempting to establish the true value of inducements before taking them up. Instead, they reported being very enticed by inducements: “They’re the lure…Yeah, you jump” (TS6). They reported numerous harmful impacts, including spending more to meet turnover requirements; not reading the conditions and then being ineligible for the bonus or unable to withdraw winnings; placing riskier bets on long shots with money-back offers; or impulsively betting on a promotion before researching bets and then chasing their losses. Some treatment-seekers reported immediately taking up bonus bets, even if it meant spending more than planned:

If I get a phone call saying, ‘Look, we’ll give you up to $250 in bonus bets’, I’ll act straight away…that one is by far the most potent… I could only afford $50 and I ended up spending $250 because they called me. (TS2)

Another treatment-seeker described feeling “a real hypocrite and devious guy” because he continually lied to his family about his gambling, which had also greatly undermined his business’s success. He reported how bonus bets had contributed to his spiraling gambling problem:

Even at nine o’clock this morning because of these bonus bets… I’ve already put my $150 on the first three races already… And if that loses, then I’m in the same old spiral that I’m in every single day. (TS9)

Treatment-seekers also reported shopping around for the best inducements. This increased the number of betting accounts held, time spent on gambling activities, and the number of inducements subsequently received.

Theme 4. Changes in betting products

New bet types used.

Multi-bets were popular with some non-treatment-seekers and were the most popular new bet type amongst treatment-seekers. Other exotic bets mentioned by both groups included in-game contingencies (e.g., first score/penalty) and combined contingencies (e.g., team to lead at half-time but lose the match). The prohibition on offering in-play bets online in Australia appears to have deterred their use in this sample. This prohibition also appears to have deterred using cash-out options. Seven non-treatment-seekers now only used a betting exchange after other operators had banned them following their earlier betting success. They were highly critical of corporate bookmakers: “they basically want…losers, people that lose money” (NTS16).

Reported effects of new bet types on online gambling

Most participants indicated that recently introduced betting options had greatly increased betting opportunities. One non-treatment-seeker viewed multi-bets as a logical addition after researching and selecting individual bets. While his outlays were modest, multi-bets nonetheless increased his expenditure:

They’ve put out that same race multi…that’s chewed through a few 50 cents for me…it’s in addition… I put my bets down…and then…put a couple of multis…a dollar [each leg]. (NTS11)

Treatment-seekers perceived multi-bets as particularly attractive because they might enable bigger bets following wins from smaller bets in hope of a “life changing…big collect” (TS10). They described how multi-bets increased betting involvement because they were particularly enticing, provided greater choice, and could be selected according to preferred teams and specific contingencies. This could increase the perceived role of skill in betting success: “You’re able to pick who’s going to be the try scorer and when the time of the try is going to be and if they’re going to even convert it” (TS2). Multi-bets could increase emotional involvement in betting:

When I first start…I’m betting $2 a race…and I’m hoping and dreaming that I can get above $50, $60. Then I start betting $10 and then $20, and then I put a $50 on something and then…you’ve lost it all again… That’s pretty much the pattern of my betting. (TS6)

Non-treatment-seekers who placed exotic bets were cautious, ensuring they first understood the odds and conditions. One non-treatment-seeker noted the “overwhelming” choice of exotic bets, and reported sometimes struggling to resist these riskier bets since they were a tempting way to chase losses:

They encourage you to spend money on…a long shot…if you’re starting to lose, you get a bit more desperate so you’re more inclined to take [them] up… I try and be quite disciplined…sometimes it is a struggle…they put out offers that are designed to induce you to take them up. (NTS10)

Only a few treatment-seekers limited their betting to head-to-head bets. Others described the huge range of exotic betting options now available: “There’s no limit to what you can do… It’s basically customisable” (TS2).

Some participants had tried in-play betting but found the telephone system inefficient. Two treatment-seekers, however, reported placing live bets by phone if they thought it might pay off: “if you’re watching a game and you can see momentum changing…that would sway me to ring up and have a bet…maybe put $200 on it” (TS4). Use of cash-out options was mentioned by only one participant, who found it attractive because, “if I take this now, then I’ve got an extra five or six bets’” (NTS10).

Non-treatment-seekers using betting exchanges engaged in arbitrage betting which requires research and significant outlay but low risk by: “backing and laying the same runner or the same competitor in a sporting event with a fairly significant outlay to make a small profit irrespective of the result” (NTS13).

Newer forms of online gambling

Most non-treatment-seekers were aware of newer gambling products, including esports betting, daily fantasy sports betting and skin gambling. Only two, however, had engaged with any of them, with the remainder preferring to bet on the activities they understood: “I didn’t want to try some exotic sport that I knew absolutely nothing about because I just didn’t see the value in that” (NTS10). No treatment-seekers reported engaging with these newer products.

Reported effects of newer forms on online gambling

No effects of these newer activities were reported, due to this low level of participation.

Theme 5. Use of harm minimisation tools

Activity statements, deposit limits, self-exclusion, time-out options, and account closure were variously used by participants.

Activity statements

Ten non-treatment-seekers regularly used activity statements and compared them to bank statements that inform of deposits and withdrawals. Those who did not use them criticised the clumsy download system to access statements, that the volume of information made them difficult to understand, and that a monthly statement was too old to be useful.

Only two treatment-seekers used activity statements, although one only once after a weekend of big losses. This same participant explained how the statement available on the operator’s site included only his most recent transactions, and that he had to contact the operator directly to obtain a statement covering a longer period. Seeing this full statement prompted him to decrease his gambling somewhat:

Seeing the total was a bit like, “oh geez, got to cut down a bit”. And I did actually, after that. I stopped for like a week…and kind of took stock. And I guess I’ve got it under control a bit more now. (TS2)

Deposit limits

Two non-treatment-seekers had set deposit limits as a safeguard, but the remainder reported that they only bet small amounts and could control their gambling: “I haven’t resorted to this type of action…I only gamble what I can afford to lose…if it becomes an issue, yes, I would consider it” (NTS3).

A few treatment-seekers had used deposit limits, and this could curtail some of their impulse betting and reduce financial harm:

I have set limits on how much I can deposit…the impulse betting is a killer. You want to chase a bet but if you can’t get the money into your account, well you just can’t do any more damage. (TS10)

In contrast, others who had set a limit had subsequently increased it when once the minimum time period had elapsed and their self-control waned:

You’ve just got to sit out three weeks and then you can go back to setting whatever limit you want again…I’ve blown that over the years, thinking I’m going to be a good boy and I’m going to set a limit. Then a month down the track, you’re punching in, “No, I want to change it”. (TS6)

Self-exclusion

Non-treatment-seekers typically considered that self-exclusion was a helpful tool for other people, but felt that they did not need to use it. Several treatment-seekers had self-excluded from numerous operators, but subsequently opened accounts with other operators. One reported opening new accounts with operators he had excluded from by using his wife’s details. Operators may also try to dissuade self-exclusion by pointing out the difficulties of re-opening the account or that the customer could never re-open an account with them:

I rang them and said, “Look, I’ve got a problem. I need to close my account” and [they said] to re-open it, you’d need a letter by a psychologist or a counsellor or whatever. So basically, it would be costly for you to follow it up and do it…Saying that, I just joined a different one [operator]. (TS5)

Treatment-seekers explained that self-excluding was contingent on reaching the point of wanting to stop gambling and having the willpower to self-exclude. This interviewee described temporarily taking time out instead, but with limited effectiveness:

I wasn’t strong enough to self-exclude so I thought, “I’m just going to have a three-month break from this company”...It could be two days, a week, two weeks later, I’m back into it again because I’m finding another company. So, that doesn’t work, the rest periods. You’ve got to self-exclude permanently. (TS4)

Perceived adequacy of harm minimisation tools

Nearly all treatment-seekers considered it unrealistic to expect people with a gambling problem to be able to self-regulate their gambling. They advocated for improved operator practices, including affordability checks, imposed betting limits, timers on betting websites, and a dashboard summarising betting transactions. Some treatment-seekers also thought that operators should proactively monitor for harmful gambling behaviours, intervene to check on the customer’s welfare, and exclude them if necessary.

Treatment-seekers thought that government regulation was needed, because operators would otherwise do little to deter their most profitable customers:

I think the government has a big part in this. They really need to make it tougher…I don’t think the laws are strong enough to stop people, the problem gamblers, definitely not…It has to be with the government…because problem gamblers are the ones that most of these companies make their money from. (TS5)

When online gambling first emerged, researchers identified numerous features that distinguished it from land-based gambling that were likely to elevate its risk of harm (e.g., 7–10]). The current study extends upon that focus to consider how more recent changes in online gambling may be impacting on contemporary gambling behaviour, including harmful gambling. The principal finding is that higher-risk online gamblers, indicated by recent treatment-seeking behaviour, reported the most negative impacts from recent changes that have intensified many aspects of online gambling. These include easier and faster access, continued proliferation of advertisements and inducements, and the expansion of innovated betting products.

Ease and speed of access

Both treatment- and non-treatment-seekers noted the increased speed and ease of online gambling, which now enables instant access from anywhere at any time [ 13 – 15 ]. Both groups appreciated being able to immediately source betting information and place bets, and the convenience and comfort of gambling from home. Both groups also acknowledged that easy 24/7 access increased their opportunities to gamble. This ability to gamble quickly and easily, with reduced cooling-off periods, had led some non-treatment-seekers to experience episodes of impaired control, but most self-regulated their gambling to within affordable limits. In contrast, treatment-seekers reported increasing their online gambling in response to easy, convenient, and private access to 24/7 betting opportunities without the constraints of needing to visit a venue, venue closing times, or social judgment. Both groups reported that faster financial transactions facilitated betting, but only treatment-seekers discussed associated disadvantages. For them, the ease of transferring funds to betting accounts contributed to impulsive betting and quickly losing large amounts of money, thereby nurturing persistence and loss-chasing. The difficulty of withdrawing funds from betting accounts and being able to cancel withdrawals, also undermined their self-control. These results are consistent with earlier reports by online gamblers that instant 24/7 access to online gambling can facilitate impulsive gambling, long gambling sessions, high expenditure, and loss-chasing, particularly amongst those with higher gambling severity [ 8 , 17 , 18 , 26 ]. Higher-risk gamblers tend to be more impulsive [ 64 , 65 ], while gambling urges, impaired control, persistence, and loss-chasing constitute symptoms of a gambling disorder [ 66 ]. Instant access to online gambling allows individuals experiencing these symptoms to immediately act on a gambling urge and persist at gambling, undermining their self-control and exacerbating the harm they are already experiencing.

Advertisements and inducements

Both groups discussed the continued proliferation of advertising and inducements for online gambling across all media, particularly during televised sports and racing events, in social media, and through targeted push marketing in texts, notifications, and emails. Online gamblers have previously described being inundated by gambling advertisements and being particularly tempted by frequent gambling inducements [ 8 , 67 , 68 ]. Treatment-seekers further increased their exposure to this marketing by watching sports and racing programs, and by following gambling-related content which increased gambling advertising in their social media feeds. Both groups also appeared to be targeted based on their past gambling performance, with successful punters banned from inducements and less successful punters inundated with inducements. Increased exposure may partly explain why treatment-seekers were more persuaded by advertisements, compared to non-treatment seekers, given the dose–response effect between exposure to gambling advertising and gambling behaviour [ 24 , 69 , 70 ]. Further, higher-risk gamblers tend to report greater influence from gambling advertising and inducements [ 8 , 44 , 71 ]. Treatment-seekers described being strongly tempted by this advertising, particularly for wagering inducements, and were more likely than non-treatment-seekers to immediately take up inducements without assessing their value or conditions. This behaviour is consistent with the influence of marketing cues in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviours, where more addicted consumers have lower self-control and stronger urges since their behaviour is more driven by need, heightening the likelihood of harmful consequences [ 72 ]. As found in other wagering research [ 70 , 72 , 73 ], treatment-seekers reported that inducements prompted them to spend more than planned, place riskier bets, bet impulsively, chase losses, and reduce the effectiveness of existing self-exclusions by opening new accounts. Thus, minimal constraints on wagering advertisements and inducements, despite substantial community opposition to their proliferation [ 74 , 75 ], appear to have continued to nurture harmful gambling behaviours amongst higher-risk gamblers.

Many treatment- and non-treatment-seekers were aware of the vast range of recently introduced bet types, with multi-bets the most frequently mentioned. Treatment-seekers discussed how multi-bets elevated their excitement and emotional involvement in betting, their sense of skill in selecting bets, and their hopes of placing larger bets if earlier legs won. Bets on in-game and combined contingencies were also popular. Non-treatment-seekers reported approaching these bets cautiously, including first evaluating their potential value, being aware they were long shots, and recognising the temptation they posed for chasing losses. In contrast, nearly all treatment-seekers had incorporated exotic bets into their betting patterns, including multi-bets, accumulators, and complex bets. These long-odds bets are the least profitable for bettors because of their higher house-edge and because long-term positive returns are unlikely regardless of skill; however, their large potential wins are particularly attractive to higher-risk gamblers [ 32 , 39 , 41 ]. Since a payout requires all contingencies to occur, these bets also increase opportunities for near misses which may motivate further gambling [ 41 ]. Overall, our findings support that these newer bet types are particularly attractive to higher-risk gamblers, elevating their likelihood of experiencing further gambling losses and harm.

Banning of successful bettors

Several interviewees reported that betting operators had banned them, restricted the amount they could bet, or excluded them from promotions and rewards following their earlier betting success. They were highly critical that operators were only interested in more profitable customers who sustained larger losses. While these bettors reported switching to betting exchanges, other Australian research has highlighted that banned gamblers also opt to use illegal offshore sites, which limits consumer protection [ 76 ]. Amongst 347 Australian sports or race bettors who had bet with an offshore operator, 13.8% reported “no betting limits or account restrictions” as an advantage of doing so [ 4 ]. Thus, banning successful bettors appears to drive some customers to unlicensed wagering operators who may implement few, if any, harm minimisation measures.

Use of harm minimisation tools

Most interviewees were aware of harm minimisation tools for online gambling, including player activity statements, deposit limits and self-exclusion. However, their uptake and apparent effectiveness were limited. Non-treatment-seekers thought they did not need to use these tools, although some used player activity statements to stay informed about their gambling spend. Treatment-seekers had used a range of tools, but their effectiveness was typically short-lived and undermined by the ease of changing limits and opening new accounts to circumvent self-exclusion. They advocated strongly for regulation requiring operators to proactively conduct affordability and customer welfare checks, monitor for harmful gambling behaviours, and exclude customers if needed. They thought that relying on self-regulatory tools was unrealistic, given their impaired control over gambling.

Regulatory effectiveness

Some of the study’s findings point to the potential effectiveness of regulations in limiting gambling harm. In-play bets and cash-out options were not widely reported in this sample, most likely because they cannot be placed with licensed online operators in Australia. Nonetheless, other Australian research has found quite widespread placement of in-play bets in venues, by phone and with unlicensed operators [ 4 ], albeit far less than in jurisdictions where their online provision is legal [ 39 , 77 ]. In-play betting, including cash-out options, facilitates faster and more intensive betting sessions where bettors can rapidly re-stake wins or chase losses on an extended array of continuous betting opportunities [ 18 , 31 ]. These harmful behaviours are reflected in rates of gambling problems amongst in-play bettors that are 3–4 times higher than amongst non-in-play bettors [ 4 , 45 ].

The relatively low use of in-play betting in Australia, as found in the current sample, demonstrates that regulation can be targeted to help constrain the growth of problems and harm associated with online gambling. Based on this and previous research, further regulation could contribute to harm reduction goals by curtailing the provision of exotic bets, including multi-bets [ 32 , 39 , 41 ], and reducing advertising and inducements for online gambling [ 8 , 44 , 71 – 73 ]. For example, banning the sponsorship of sport by gambling companies and prohibiting direct marketing for online gambling would greatly reduce the current proliferation of advertising and inducements. Regulation to ensure that bettors can withdraw funds from their betting accounts easily and quickly, and not cancel withdrawals, would also help customers to better control their online gambling expenditure and limit the consequent financial harm.

In contrast to regulatory and industry objectives to minimise gambling harm, industry changes over the last decade were reported to undermine self-regulatory efforts and exacerbate harmful behaviours amongst online gamblers struggling to maintain or regain control over their gambling. Conversely, non-treatment-seekers reported limited detrimental effects. The study’s findings therefore suggest that industry changes that have made online gambling easier, faster, and heavily incentivised, and the provision of an increasing array of exotic bets with poorer odds, unduly affect addicted and harmed individuals who are also the most profitable customers due to their elevated gambling losses [ 78 – 80 ]. Given that people with a gambling problem report experiencing impaired control over their gambling and limited use of harm minimisation features, consumer protection needs to extend beyond self-regulatory tools, to regulate for safer online gambling products and industry practices.

Limitations

Exploring all types of online gambling was constrained by the prohibition on the online provision of casino-style games, slot machines and in-play betting in Australia, although Australians can easily access unlicensed operators who provide them. Generalisability of the findings is limited due to the small, purposive interview samples that were self-selecting and predominantly male, and data saturation may not have been achieved. Larger samples may provide more certainty of data saturation, and identify additional themes, perspectives, experiences and comments. The mean age of the two groups differed, leading to a potential age bias between the sub-samples. The non-treatment-seeking group was considerably older, due to the inclusion criteria for these participants to have gambled online for around 10 years. The use of different interviewers for the two sub-samples may have impacted the results. The results may also be subject to recall and social desirability biases. However, drawing on the lived experience of participants has enabled richer insights than can be obtained in quantitative studies and identified potentially harmful changes in online gambling that are worthy of further examination.

Further research

Whether online gambling has become more harmful remains an open but important question. Measuring changes in gambling harm over time would enable a better understanding of how features of online gambling may affect negative consequences amongst different gambler risk groups. Further, early studies suggested that online gambling does not elevate gambling problems, instead concluding that gambling involvement, rather than online gambling per se, explains higher rates of gambling problems amongst online gamblers [ 35 , 81 – 86 ]. However, more recent population research has found that engaging in online gambling is uniquely associated with higher gambling severity after controlling for the number of gambling forms and key demographics [ 86 ]. Whether these contrasting results are due to more recent changes in online gambling is unknown but warrants further research to inform policy and regulation that target particularly harmful features and improve consumer protection.

Key changes in the provision of online gambling over the past decade have included its increased ease and speed, the continued proliferation of advertisements and inducements, and the introduction of numerous innovated bet types. Higher-risk online gamblers disproportionately reported negative effects from these changes, since they fostered increased gambling, impulsive gambling, persistence, and loss-chasing. Recent changes to online gambling that exacerbate harmful gambling behaviours amongst vulnerable online gamblers are counter to stated policy and practice objectives to minimise gambling harm, while current harm minimisation tools have limited uptake and effect. Further consideration is needed to ensure gambling policy, industry practices and public health measures more effectively reduce gambling harm in contemporary settings. In particular, the proliferation of inducements and the poor pricing of complex bets such as multi-bets, and their outsized attraction to players with problems, should be a key area of focus. These incentivised bets target problem players with poor odds, whereas successful gamblers are banned from play by online betting providers. This combination is clearly in opposition to customers’ reasonable expectations for fair-play in betting.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contribution of George Loram from Deakin University who conducted the interviews with 10 treatment-seekers.

Authors’ contributions

All authors except MS and HB helped to design the overall study and the interview guides. NH led the study on which the current paper is based. AR conducted the interviews with non-treatment-seekers, and ND supervised the interviews with treatment-seekers. NH drafted the methods section and tables. NH and HB conducted the initial data analysis. NH and MS wrote the results and discussion section. NH, MR and HT provided supervision. NH completed the remainder of the first draft of the manuscript. All authors refined and approved the submitted version of the manuscript.

Funding for this study was provided by Gambling Research Australia, a partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to initiate and manage a national gambling research program. Central Queensland University also provided a stipend to MS for a Summer Scholarship to support her work on this manuscript.

Availability of data and materials

Declarations.

The study procedures were carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The Human Research Ethics Committee of Central Queensland University approved the study (approval number: 22230. All subjects were informed about the study, and all provided informed consent.

Not applicable.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Penn State-led report reveals gambling participation increases in Pennsylvania

Online and offline gambling is increasing rapidly in Pennsylvania since its legalization in 2017, according to the latest Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment: Online Gambling Report 2023 . The report was developed by Penn State’s Criminal Justice Research Center under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs after surveying over 1,800 individuals from across Pennsylvania.

Researchers found adult online gambling participation increased to 16% in 2023 after holding steady at 11 percent in the first two years of the study. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s online gambling revenue increased nearly 27% over the preceding 12 months to more than $2.1 billion last year. Its popularity places the state among the top three online gambling revenue-generators in the nation. 

The researchers also found that approximately half of Pennsylvania online gamblers reported problems with gambling. Increases in gambling frequency, hours, number of formats, spending, and motivation to relieve stress were all factors associated with gambling problems.

“As we see increased revenue and advertising for online gambling, this report serves as a way for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to understand the potential impacts on individuals, families, and communities,” said Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice at Penn State Abington, lead author of the report, and Social Science Research Institute cofunded faculty member. “We remain committed to monitoring problem gambling and other issues that may result from greater access to online gambling.”

Other findings of the report revealed:

• Those that gamble both offline and online (dual-mode) gambled once a week while offline-exclusive gamblers played two to three times per month. 
• Dual-mode gamblers spent almost 15 hours per month gambling, while offline gamblers spent about 1.5 hours per month gambling. 
• On average, gambling expenses per month were higher among dual-mode gamblers at $708 versus offline gamblers at $103. 
• About one-quarter of dual-mode gamblers earned less than $50,000 annually, and these individuals engaged in the highest number of gambling formats. 
• The average age of dual-mode gamblers was 37 with the majority having earned a bachelor’s degree and currently employed.
• Sports betting was the most popular online gambling format. 

“Being aware of the current online gambling trends in Pennsylvania will help DDAP in its mission to assess and address how gambling behaviors impact compulsive and problem gambling within the Commonwealth,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “It will also help us to spread awareness that treatment and resources, like the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, are there when someone needs help.”

Since evidence indicates that problematic gambling behaviors are seemingly highest among those who gamble online (whether exclusively or also offline) and among younger individuals, researchers recommend that information regarding responsible gambling, prevention, or treatment availability should be provided through multiple digital media formats such as social media and streaming services.  

Funding for this report was provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board through Pennsylvania Act 42 of 2017, utilizing revenues generated from interactive gaming licensees. The report will be shared will be shared with community partners, constituents on the state and county levels, and treatment experts among others. A webinar is being developed to assist in evaluating the survey results, and an online gaming dashboard is also in the works through the Penn State Criminal Justice Research Center.

Other researchers who contributed to the report are Gillian E. H. Russell, assistant research professor, Penn State Abington; Amanda M. Ferrara, research operations manager; and Miranda P. Kaye, former director of the Penn State Social Science Research Institute’s Survey Research Center .  

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Online Gaming Essay | Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Gaming

Online gaming is the most talked about fun topic among the teenagers of the 21st century. At the same time, it is the most talked about serious topic among the parents and teachers. Everyone has their own reasons to discuss online gaming. Our reason today is to help you write an Essay on Online Gaming so that you are exposed to the unseen side of online gaming addiction.

Long Essay on Online Gaming Addiction in 500 words | Argumentative Essay on Online Games Good or Bad

How online gaming started.

The Internet has changed the way we live, we eat, we dress, we work and we play. It has become a preferred and comfortable mode which has made our lives way too easy. Today almost everything is available at the click of a button. You ask for a thing and it reaches your doorstep within days. Amidst these gratifying moments, when we are saved from the daily hustle-bustle, another trend of online gaming has emerged. 

Advantages of Online Games

Online gaming is a huge platform today. A platform that has broken all barriers and boundaries amidst countries around the world. In online gaming, you can connect to anyone anywhere in the world and play. Sometimes you don’t even know with whom you are playing and this mystery makes the experience even more thrilling. It also gives the player an opportunity to make new friends from other countries and get a chance to showcase their talent worldwide.

Nowadays, many online gaming championships are organized where gamers get a platform to compete with the best of the best and enhance their skills. It has gained much popularity over the years because one can play an online game on even a basic smartphone. What one requires is a consistent internet connection. Developing, designing and marketing online games has turned into a full-fledged profession and many are earning their bread and butter through it. 

Disadvantages of Online Gaming

But then there is always the other side of a coin which is often dark and dingy. The other side of online gaming is not only dark but dreadful too. Many tend to become addicted to online gaming and it takes away all of their productive time. When money gets involved in it through betting, families are ruined. It pulls an individual into isolation as mostly online gamers play alone. Their social interaction becomes nil which leads to depression and loneliness.

Online harassment through many gaming sites is not a new thing. Children can easily be trapped in this way. Long hours spent in front of the computer can harm their posture and eyes too. These games, through their catchy visuals, entice young children and they become addicted to them to such an extent that they forget to eat or sleep and prefer to sit in front of the screen all the time. Such addiction not only harms the individual but the whole family suffers due to it. Besides social effects, there are many psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability and uncontrollable mood swings which take a toll on the health of an individual due to addiction.  

Ways to Control Online Gaming Addiction

Self-control, time management and focus can serve as the three pillars for fighting the addiction to online gaming. The external prohibitions from the government in the form of laws, certain regulations and even a ban on a few of them are not going to solve the problem. Good parenting, positive family time and socializing with friends can prove to be helpful.  In some severe cases, guidance from a counsellor could become necessary. Positive reinforcement & support from loved ones is required for an individual to come out of this addiction. 

‘Nothing can be more exciting and thrilling than a victory in real life’. So, let’s look forward to a win in real life than online.

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Michigan, Ohio brace for storms after tornadoes rip through Iowa, Kansas, Missouri

Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati are in the bull's-eye Wednesday.

As Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska clean up from the 14 confirmed tornadoes that ripped through the region, the tornado threat moves east on Wednesday to Michigan and Ohio.

The strongest tornado so far was an EF-2 with 118 mph winds in Greenwood County, Kansas.

In Smithville, Missouri, an EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds forced a family to flee for their lives.

Kristel Kemp and her young son ran from their home -- which is now destroyed -- and sheltered in a brick bathroom.

"Survivor mode kicked in, I guess," she told ABC News. "It felt like the longest run of my life."

MORE: Streams that supply drinking water in danger following 2023 Supreme Court decision that stripped wetlands protections: Report

On Wednesday, the tornado threat moves into the Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes, including Detroit, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

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A new storm could also bring another round of severe weather to Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

On Thursday, that new storm will move east and south, impacting states from Texas to Indiana.

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About 1 in 5 U.S. teens who’ve heard of ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork

Roughly one-in-five teenagers who have heard of ChatGPT say they have used it to help them do their schoolwork, according to a new Pew Research Center survey of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17. With a majority of teens having heard of ChatGPT, that amounts to 13% of all U.S. teens who have used the generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot in their schoolwork.

Teens in higher grade levels are particularly likely to have used the chatbot to help them with schoolwork. About one-quarter of 11th and 12th graders who have heard of ChatGPT say they have done this. This share drops to 17% among 9th and 10th graders and 12% among 7th and 8th graders.

There is no significant difference between teen boys and girls who have used ChatGPT in this way.

The introduction of ChatGPT last year has led to much discussion about its role in schools , especially whether schools should integrate the new technology into the classroom or ban it .

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand American teens’ use and understanding of ChatGPT in the school setting.

The Center conducted an online survey of 1,453 U.S. teens from Sept. 26 to Oct. 23, 2023, via Ipsos. Ipsos recruited the teens via their parents, who were part of its KnowledgePanel . The KnowledgePanel is a probability-based web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses. The survey was weighted to be representative of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 who live with their parents by age, gender, race and ethnicity, household income, and other categories.

This research was reviewed and approved by an external institutional review board (IRB), Advarra, an independent committee of experts specializing in helping to protect the rights of research participants.

Here are the  questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and its  methodology .

Teens’ awareness of ChatGPT

Overall, two-thirds of U.S. teens say they have heard of ChatGPT, including 23% who have heard a lot about it. But awareness varies by race and ethnicity, as well as by household income:

• 72% of White teens say they’ve heard at least a little about ChatGPT, compared with 63% of Hispanic teens and 56% of Black teens.
• 75% of teens living in households that make $75,000 or more annually have heard of ChatGPT. Much smaller shares in households with incomes between $30,000 and $74,999 (58%) and less than $30,000 (41%) say the same.

Teens who are more aware of ChatGPT are more likely to use it for schoolwork. Roughly a third of teens who have heard a lot about ChatGPT (36%) have used it for schoolwork, far higher than the 10% among those who have heard a little about it.

When do teens think it’s OK for students to use ChatGPT?

For teens, whether it is – or is not – acceptable for students to use ChatGPT depends on what it is being used for.

There is a fair amount of support for using the chatbot to explore a topic. Roughly seven-in-ten teens who have heard of ChatGPT say it’s acceptable to use when they are researching something new, while 13% say it is not acceptable.

However, there is much less support for using ChatGPT to do the work itself. Just one-in-five teens who have heard of ChatGPT say it’s acceptable to use it to write essays, while 57% say it is not acceptable. And 39% say it’s acceptable to use ChatGPT to solve math problems, while a similar share of teens (36%) say it’s not acceptable.

Some teens are uncertain about whether it’s acceptable to use ChatGPT for these tasks. Between 18% and 24% say they aren’t sure whether these are acceptable use cases for ChatGPT.

Those who have heard a lot about ChatGPT are more likely than those who have only heard a little about it to say it’s acceptable to use the chatbot to research topics, solve math problems and write essays. For instance, 54% of teens who have heard a lot about ChatGPT say it’s acceptable to use it to solve math problems, compared with 32% among those who have heard a little about it.

Note: Here are the  questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and its  methodology .

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Americans’ use of chatgpt is ticking up, but few trust its election information, q&a: how we used large language models to identify guests on popular podcasts, striking findings from 2023, what the data says about americans’ views of artificial intelligence, most popular.

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110 Video Game Topic Ideas for Essays & Examples

🔝 top 10 video game topics for 2024, 🏆 best video game topic ideas & essay examples, 🎮 good video game research topics, 🕹️ interesting gaming topics to write about, ❓ video game research questions, ✅ simple & easy video game essay topics.

Looking for video game topics for your project? Look no further! Here, we’ve collected excellent essay topics for true gaming enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for argumentative essay ideas on video games, research topics, or questions for debate, you will find them here.

• History of Video Game Consoles
• Myths of Video Game Violence
• The Global Phenomenon of Esports
• VR Gaming and Its Future Possibilities
• How Video Games Influence Cognitive Skills
• Therapeutic Mental Health Benefits of Video Games
• Diversity and Gender Representation in Video Games
• How Multiplayer Games Impact Social Interaction
• Healthy Gaming Habits Against Video Game Addiction
• Aesthetic and Narrative Qualities of Artistic Video Games
• Product Life Cycle & Marketing of Video Game Industry One of the most important advantages of the concept of life cycle can be seen in the sphere of marketing, where if used as a tool it allows adjusting the strategies, including marketing, based on […]
• Sony and Nintendo in the Video Game Industry The firm has manufactured several generations of the home console since the 1980s, beginning with the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System released in the early 1990s, and the Nintendo 64 that was […]
• Video Game Effects: Good or Bad? Given the fact that there is indeed a logically sound rationale to such a suggestion, throughout the course of conducting my study, I remained thoroughly observant of the article’s classification-related suggestions, in regards to the […]
• Video Game Industry Analysis In 1950, Yamauchi assumed the position of the president in the firm and got on a variety of strategies with the purpose of rationalizing and modernizing the way the firm was controlled.
• The Monopoly Tycoon Video Game Review The game is stylistically similar to the board game Monopoly, and it can be played both online and offline. It is important to note that the game has a multiplayer feature, which can be played […]
• The Video Game Industry Evolution The first mention of the creation of such games dates back to the 1940s, but it was in 1952 that Alexander Shafto “Sandy” Douglas officially presented his dissertation at the University of Cambridge. One of […]
• The NASCAR Video Game Project Management Plan The plan attempts to draw the features and gameplay mechanics by replicating the thought process of a potential player. At this stage, the game should be well-advertised and ready for release.
• The Motivation of the Video Game Player For instance, the project gave its players the dynamic and fast pace of the game, a vast and detailed map, various locations, several different weapons, and character skins, and this is not all the possibilities.
• The “Medal of Honor” Video Game Analysis The game is set to depict the Afghanistan invention in 2002 and the battle between the U.S.military and the Taliban. Due to the close resemblance of the game to the Afghanistan war, the game has […]
• Human Life: Video Game, Simulation, or Reality? Drawing parallels between the real and the virtual world, one can admit the unreality of the existence of the planet and people and compare everything that happens with the simulation in which we are.
• Does Video Game Violence Lead to Aggression in Children? Among the gaming community, children participate vigorously in absorbing the plethora of entertaining content, including age-restricted ones where the scenes of violence are abundant.
• A Role-Playing Video Game Ayiti: The Cost of Life This strategy worked but not to the topmost level simply because the burden of the living cost was gradually weighing down the overall income of my family.
• BioWare Video Game Project Management For example, Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third installment of the company’s flagship series, switched to the Frostbite engine used by most of the EA games and succeeded in delivering the product despite the technical difficulties […]
• Video Game History: Overview From the 1990s to Nowadays In addition to arcade car behavior, the game was also famous for its beautiful graphics at the time, with each game in the series being a launch title showing the capabilities of the console.
• FIFA 10 Football Simulation Video Game A lack of consistency is evident in the various versions of this game as FIFA 10 played on a PC lacks the realism that is exhibited when the game is played on XBOX 360 and […]
• Video Game Delivery Project: Strategic Marketing To initiate strategies in marketing of Video Game, the company will decide to develop a web based application by ABC CORP and this application is customized to meet the requirements of the project. The purpose […]
• A Video Game Store’s Business Plan The projected cash flow of the cash in the balance sheet will appear positive for the next five years and will show that the company’s profitability in will be good enough pay for operating expenses […]
• The U.S. Video Game Industry This was also based on the views of the company’s developers who assumed that the technological advantages of the the16-bit system were extremely less than that of the 8-bit system.
• Video Game Company Against Online Piracy The purpose of the said DRM software is to protect the intellectual rights of the company. The fourth major issue is the encompassing goal of the VGC to end all types of piracy.
• Video Game Addiction and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs As to me, I was interested in video games when I was a child because this industry was at its beginning and almost every pupil was involved in it.
• Twitch.tv and Video Game Streaming Career From this point, in spite of the fact that the Twitch.tv platform can be viewed as belonging to the live-streaming industry, the careers of streamers develop according to the traditional principles of the entertainment business.
• Nintendo in the Video Game Industry Previously, Atari was a major power to reckon with in the industry but was later toppled by Nintendo. Part of Yamauchi’s vision was to introduce new and cheaper video games in the market than the […]
• Game designers have the responsibility to design less video game Secondly, the outcome of the video game is unpredictable as compared to movie in which the audience can predict the point at which the story would end thus making the video games more interesting to […]
• Striving for the Ultimate Knowledge: Eli’s Mission. Video Game Owing to the peculiarities of the movie plot, the game can be shaped in a most intriguing way, with a lot of turns of the plot which lead to the most effective denouement.
• Analysis of the Counter-Strike Video Game Phenomenon in Computer Gaming
• Comparison of Three Companies in Video Game Industry; Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft
• Analysis of Free Will in The Stanley Parable Video Game
• Analysis of the Effects of Playing a Video Game Used in Computer Science
• Analysis of the Characteristics and Player Statistics of Bungie’s Video Game Destiny
• Are Video Games Truly a Game or a Reality?
• Analysis of the Topic of the Releases in the Video-Game Industry and the Issues of the Violence
• Analysis of the Rise of the Video Game Empire in Modern Society
• Two Aspects of Creating a Video Game
• Analysis of the Third-Person, Console-Based Video Game, The Last of Us
• Are Users The Next Entrepreneurs? A Case Study On The Video Game Industry
• Combating Video Game Addiction : A Global Problem
• Does Playing Video Game Consoles Bring About Plenty of Advantages?
• Analysis of the Field Work Project and the Topic of a Video Game Community
• Does Video Game Violence Affect Children?
• Do Video Games Contribute For Video Game Violence?
• Is The Video Game Industry an Oligopoly?
• Is Video Game Violence the Cause of Juvenile Delinquency?
• Psychological Effects of Video Game Violence on Children
• What Is the Defining Business and Economic Characteristics of the Video Game Console Industry?
• Why Play Station 4 and the Xbox One Are the Kings of the Next Generation Video Game Console?
• What Makes A Video Game Addictive?
• Competition Among 3 Main Video Game Companies: Nintendo, Sega, And Sony
• Brief Note On Video Gaming And The Video Game Industry
• Effects of Television and Video Game Violence on Children and Teenagers
• Analysis of the Different Genres of Video Game Systems for Children
• Overview of the Process and Career in Video Game Design
• Development of the Elder Scrolls Video Game Series
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Traditionally Masculine Sports: The Inclusion of Women in FIFA 16 Video Game
• Cancer: Video Game and Playing Violent Video
• Fighting the Online Video Game Wars in China
• Government Regulation Of Video Game Violence Is Unconstitutional And Unnecessary
• Japanese video game industry
• History of the Video Game Industry
• Microsoft Xbox Entering the World of Video Game
• The Merchant of Video Games: Adapting the Merchant of Venice into an Adventure Game
• What Are Some Revolutionary Breakthroughs in the Video Game Industry?
• What Does It Take To Make It in the Video Games Industry?
• Why Has the Video Game Industry Exploded Recently?
• What Is Wrong With the Video Game Industry in This Generation?
• Is the Video Game Industry Going Downhill?
• Who Is the Best Voice Actor in the Video Game Industry?
• What Will Be the Next Breakthrough or “Big Thing” in the Video Game Industry?
• Is the Video Game Industry in Trouble Right Now?
• Who Makes More Money: Hollywood or the Video Game Industry?
• How Has the Coronavirus Impacted the Video Game Industry?
• What Is the Biggest Missed Opportunity Yet in the Video Game Industry?
• Does Video Game Violence Induce Negative Affects on Our Youth?
• What Are the Changes the Video Game Industry Needs?
• How Large Is the Video Game Industry?
• Why Is the Video Game Industry in China Dominated by MMOs?
• Is There a Bubble Forming in the Video Game Industry?
• What Do Video Game Players Understand That Most People Don’t?
• How Easy Is It to Make a Video Game?
• What’s the Best Advice You’ve Received From a Video Game?
• What Was the First Video Game?
• What Is the Most Inappropriate Video Game You Know?
• What Are the Elements of a Good Video Game?
• How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Video Game?
• What Can Video Game Consoles Offer You?
• Why Video Game Addiction Is One of the Urgent Problems Today?
• How Does Science Create Video Game?
• How the 1970s Sparked the Video Game Industry?
• Why Do Video Game Movies Always Fail?
• What’s the Most Popular Video Game Genre?
• The Science Behind Brain-Boosting Games
• How Gaming Reflects and Influences Society
• How Video Games Participate in Social Justice
• Pros and Cons of Gamified Fitness and Wellness Apps
• Gamification, Its Benefits, and Learning Outcomes
• Virtual Goods in Video Games and Their Real-World Value
• What Factors Influence Immersion and Player Engagement?
• Cloud Gaming and the Potential of Streaming Technology
• Market Trends and Revenue Models of the Video Game Industry
• Violence, Microtransactions, and Other Ethical Issues in Video Game Development
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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NPR suspends senior editor Uri Berliner after essay accusing outlet of liberal bias

Npr suspended senior editor uri berliner a week after he authored an online essay accusing the outlet of allowing liberal bias in its coverage..

NPR has suspended a senior editor who authored an essay published last week on an online news site in which he argued that the network had "lost America's trust" because of a liberal bias in its coverage, the outlet reported.

Uri Berliner was suspended Friday for five days without pay, NPR reported Tuesday . The revelation came exactly a week after Berliner publicly claimed in an essay for The Free Press, an online news publication, that NPR had allowed a "liberal bent" to influence its coverage, causing the outlet to steadily lose credibility with audiences.

The essay reignited the criticism that many prominent conservatives have long leveled against NPR and prompted newsroom leadership to implement monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage, NPR reported. Berliner's essay also angered many of his colleagues and exposed NPR's new chief executive Katherine Maher to a string of attacks from conservatives over her past social media posts.

In a statement Monday to NPR, Maher refuted Berliner's claims by underscoring NPR's commitment to objective coverage of national issues.

"In America everyone is entitled to free speech as a private citizen," Maher said. "What matters is NPR's work and my commitment as its CEO: public service, editorial independence, and the mission to serve all of the American public. NPR is independent, beholden to no party, and without commercial interests."

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Berliner rails against NPR's coverage of COVID-19, diversity efforts

Berliner, a senior business editor who has worked at NPR for 25 years, argued in the Free Press essay that “people at every level of NPR have comfortably coalesced around the progressive worldview.”

While he claimed that NPR has always had a "liberal bent" ever since he was hired at the outlet, he wrote that it has since lost its "open-minded spirit," and, hence, "an audience that reflects America."

The Peabody Award-winning journalist highlighted what he viewed as examples of the network's partisan coverage of several major news events, including the origins of COVID-19 and the war in Gaza . Berliner also lambasted NPR's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies – as reflected both within its newsroom and in its coverage – as making race and identity "paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace.”

"All this reflected a broader movement in the culture of people clustering together based on ideology or a characteristic of birth," he wrote.

Uri Berliner's essay fuels conservative attacks on NPR

In response to the essay, many prominent conservatives and Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, launched renewed attacks at NPR for what they perceive as partisan coverage.

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo in particular targeted Maher for messages she posted to social media years before joining the network – her  first at a news organization . Among the posts singled out were  a 2020 tweet that called Trump racist .

Trump reiterated on his social media platform, Truth Social, his longstanding argument that NPR’s government funding should be rescinded.

NPR issues formal rebuke to Berliner

Berliner provided an NPR reporter with a copy of the formal rebuke for review in which the organization told the editor he had not been approved to write for other news outlets, as is required of NPR journalists.

NPR also said he publicly released confidential proprietary information about audience demographics, the outlet reported.

Leadership said the letter was a "final warning" for Berliner, who would be fired for future violations of NPR's policies, according to NPR's reporting. Berliner, who is a dues-paying member of NPR's newsroom union, told the NPR reporter that he is not appealing the punishment.

A spokeswoman for NPR said the outlet declined to comment on Berliner's essay or the news of his suspension when reached Tuesday by USA TODAY.

"NPR does not comment on individual personnel matters, including discipline," according to the statement. "We expect all of our employees to comply with NPR policies and procedures, which for our editorial staff includes the NPR Ethics Handbook ."

NPR staffer express dismay; leadership puts coverage reviews in place

According to the NPR article, Berliner's essay also invoked the ire of many of his colleagues and the reporters whose stories he would be responsible for editing.

"Newsrooms run on trust," NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben said in a post last week on social media site X, though he didn't mention Berliner by name. "If you violate everyone's trust by going to another outlet and [expletive] on your colleagues (while doing a bad job journalistically, for that matter), I don't know how you do your job now."

Amid the fallout, NPR reported that NPR's chief news executive Edith Chapin announced to the newsroom late Monday afternoon that Executive Editor Eva Rodriguez would lead monthly meetings to review coverage.

Berliner expressed no regrets about publishing the essay in an interview with NPR, adding that he tried repeatedly to make his concerns over NPR's coverage known to news leaders.

"I love NPR and feel it's a national trust," Berliner says. "We have great journalists here. If they shed their opinions and did the great journalism they're capable of, this would be a much more interesting and fulfilling organization for our listeners."

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]