Do you want to bet? The prevalence of problem gambling amongst athletes in the UK

This presentation was given as part of the 2011 London Workshop on Problem Gambling: Theory and (Best) Practice by Dr Daniel Rhind from the Sports Sciences subject area at Brunel University. The workshop was organised by Professor Fernand Gobet and Dr Marvin Schiller and hosted by Brunel University on the 13th September 2011

Hot hand fallacy, gambler's fallacy, or both

This presentation was given as part of the 2011 London Workshop on Problem Gambling: Theory and (Best) Practice by Juemin Xu from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at University College London (UCL). The workshop was organised by Professor Fernand Gobet and Dr Marvin Schiller and hosted by Brunel University on the 13th September 2011

The implications of real-time behavioural tracking

In contrast to offline gambling, behavioural tracking presents an opportunity for gaming operators and researchers to examine the actual and real-time behaviour engaged in by gamblers. To date, almost all diagnostic screening instruments contain criteria that are a mixture of statements about actual problem gambling behaviour, accompanied by criteria relating to the negative associated consequences of gambling. If problem gambling can be identified online without the use of diagnostic gambling screens, then this may have implications for the development of problem gambling screening instruments in the future

Responsible gambling: a perspective from a pathological gambler

This presentation was given as part of the 2011 London Workshop on Problem Gambling: Theory and (Best) Practice by Tony Franklin. The workshop was organised by Professor Fernand Gobet and Dr Marvin Schiller and hosted by Brunel University on the 13th September 2011

Impulsivity and cognitive distortions in pathological gambling

This presentation was given as part of the 2011 London Workshop on Problem Gambling: Theory and (Best) Practice by Dr Luke Clark from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge. The workshop was organised by Professor Fernand Gobet and Dr Marvin Schiller and hosted by Brunel University on the 13th September 2011

Tools for responsible games

This presentation was given as part of the 2011 London Workshop on Problem Gambling: Theory and (Best) Practice by Mr Anssi Airas, Research Manager from RAY, Finnish Slot Machine Association. The workshop was organised by Professor Fernand Gobet and Dr Marvin Schiller and hosted by Brunel University on the 13th September 2011

A pilot study of problem gambling among student online gamblers: mood states as predictors of problematic behaviour

Within the last decade, interest in online gambling has increased. This pilot study examined online gambling among students to identify the extent to which student Internet gamblers manifest a propensity for problem gambling and to understand if mood states at various times are predictors of problem gambling. A questionnaire was administered to 127 student Internet gamblers. In addition to questions asking for basic demographic data, the questionnaire included the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Results showed that approximately one in five online gamblers (19%) was defined as a probable pathological gambler using the SOGS. Among this sample, results also showed that problem gambling was best predicted by negative mood states after gambling online and negative mood states more generally

The Relationship Between Gambling and Homelessness: A Commentary on Sharman et al. (2014)

The relationship between problem gambling and homelessness is a little studied area in the gambling studies field. A recent study in the Journal of Gambling Studies by Sharman, Dreyer, et al (2014) is the first quantitative study in Great Britain on this interesting and important topic. In this context, the study is to be commended and provides an empirical benchmark on which other studies can build. The study reported a problem gambling prevalence rate of 11.6% and is significantly higher than the problem gambling rate of the general population in Great Britain (which is less than 1%). However, given the political sensitivity surrounding the expansion of bookmakers in the UK, the study needs further contextualization otherwise the findings of such studies may be used by anti-gambling lobby groups to serve their own political agendas. While it is good that such an area has been empirically investigated in Great Britain, this paper briefly (i) places the issue of problem gambling among the homeless into the wider context of problems among the homeless more generally (particularly in relation to mental health problems and other addictive behaviors), (ii) highlights some of the methodological problems and weaknesses of the study, and (iii) notes a number of factual errors made in the paper

Problem gambling: a suitable case for social work?

Problem gambling attracts little attention from health and social care agencies in the UK. Prevalence surveys suggest that 0.6% of the population are problem gamblers and it is suggested that for each of these individuals, 10–17 other people, including children and other family members, are affected. Problem gambling is linked to many individual and social problems including: depression, suicide, significant debt, bankruptcy, family conflict, domestic violence, neglect and maltreatment of children and offending. This makes the issue central to social work territory. Yet, the training of social workers in the UK has consistently neglected issues of addictive behaviour. Whilst some attention has been paid in recent years to substance abuse issues, there has remained a silence in relation to gambling problems. Social workers provide more help for problems relating to addictions than other helping professions. There is good evidence that treatment, and early intervention for gambling problems, including psycho-social and public health approaches, can be very effective. This paper argues that problem gambling should be moved onto the radar of the social work profession, via inclusion on qualifying and post-qualifying training programmes and via research and dissemination of good practice via institutions such as the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Keywords: problem gambling; addictive behaviour; socia

The gaming industry's role in the prevention and treatment of problem gambling

There are many factors that could be incorporated within a gaming company’s framework of social responsibility and that while the industry should be proactive in the prevention of problem gambling, the treatment of problem gambling should be done by those outside of the gaming industry and that one of the ways forward may be online rather than offline help. This is reinforced by the gaming industry having formal relationships with numerous organisations that address training, compliance, accreditation, and governance