Towards a conceptual framework for the prevention of gambling-related harms: Findings from a scoping review PLOS One

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.

Cognitive Components

• Research will likely continue to distinguish the characteristics (mediators and moderator) that may be used to identify online gamblers who are at risk for gambling-related problems.
• Furthermore, It is essential to develop and implement early preventive education and programs aimed at regulating ecological temptations related to gambling among adolescents.
• This is further worsened by the widespread legalization of gambling modalities including sports betting globally 6, 7.
• Therefore, more specific strategies should be developed to prevent problem gambling at an early developmental stage.
• 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.

Finally, the framework’s conceptual utility is inherent in its depiction of how the component strands interact, and these relationships can be understood in greater detail as knowledge and research develops. The framework’s use as a mapping tool for research and practice relies on an ongoing and systematic process of populating and updating information at the various intersections. This can be achieved by individual organizations and researchers if they are using the framework for a specific goal.

Seasonal Trends in Canadian Online Gambling: Holiday and Event Impacts

For each activity undertaken that can be accessed through different methods, respondents who have participated in the respective activity are asked whether they took part in person only, online only, or both in person and online. There have been significant increases in gamblers taking part in National Lottery draws and other lotteries via an online method. Gambling is the act of risking something of value, with the hope of winning something more valuable. Gambling has long been part of man, with many people participating in the act without experiencing any problems. Therefore, gambling is a recognized mental health disorder categorized by the American Psychiatric Association as a behavioral addictive disorder.

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These findings contribute to identifying the groups most attracted to online gambling and most vulnerable to the development of problem gambling. 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.

Study variables

These dimensions are a vitally important consideration when evaluating the implications or impact of gambling behaviour on individuals, social groups, communities, and societies in order to inform decision-making. Firstly, we incorporate the socio-ecological model with the PH goals and strategies identified from the scoping review. Secondly, we then incorporate different GRH-related outcome categories, whilst also developing the framework to measure the severity and timescale over which GRH may be experienced. Following this process ensured that our framework was fully developed from the identification of PH goals and strategies, towards their application at different levels of society, and the prevention of GRH which may be wide-ranging and complex in nature. We define the goal of prevention of harms as the need to prevent harms from occurring at the earliest opportunity through societal level awareness and destigmatisation. Also prevalent across the reviews into alcohol-, HFSS-, and tobacco-related harms, was evidence of mass-media or educational campaigns which generate societal-level awareness.

Although the prevalence of Internet gambling appears to be relatively low, participation is increasing rapidly, particularly in jurisdictions that permit access to regulated sites 11, 12••. For example, in Australia following the legalization of Internet wagering and lottery playing, prevalence rates in Internet gambling rose from less than 1 % in 1999 to 8.1 % in 2011 13. Similarly in the UK, an average of 16 % of respondents had participated in at least one form of online gambling in the previous 4 weeks 11. In comparison, only 6 % of the British population used the Internet to gamble in the past year in 2007, although this figure does not include purchasing lottery tickets online, which may have increased the participation rate 14. According to the Institute of Medicine, prevention is a complementary approach, in which services are offered to the general population or to individuals identified as being at risk for a disorder, to reduce the likelihood of developing the disorder 73. Recognizing the complexity of distinguishing between prevention and treatment interventions in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, the institute constituted a three-tiered prevention framework with universal, selective, and indicated prevention interventions.