An analysis of problem gambling among the Finnish working-age population: a population survey - PubMed (original) (raw)

An analysis of problem gambling among the Finnish working-age population: a population survey

Sari Castrén et al. BMC Public Health. 2013.

Abstract

Background: Gambling problems currently affect approximately 100,000 Finns. In order to prevent and reduce gambling-related harms it is crucial for the Finnish public health authorities to gain a stronger understanding of the association between gambling problems and related socio-demographic factors, other commonly co-occurring dependencies (e.g. alcohol and nicotine) and the type of games gambled. In this article the prevalence of problem gambling in Finland and the socio-demographic profiles of problem gamblers are studied.

Method: An annual postal survey entitled Health Behaviour and Health among the Finnish Adult Population AVTK was sent to a random sample of Finnish adults (N=5000) aged between 15 and 64. The sample was derived from the Finnish Population Register. The survey was mailed to the participants in April 2010. Gender differences in socio-demographic variables and Problem Gambling Severity Index PGSI were assessed. A multinomial regression model was created in order to explore the association between socio-demographic factors and the severity of gambling.

Results: A total of 2826 individuals (1243 males and 1583 females) replied to the survey. Of the respondents, 1.1% (2.1% of males, 0.3% of females) were identified as problem gamblers. Those who were of younger age, gender, had less than twelve years of education, consumed alcohol at risk level and smoked had higher odds of having low or moderate levels of gambling problems. Whereas, unemployment and smoking predicted significantly for problem gambling. Females gambled Lotto and slot machines less frequently than males and had more low level gambling problems. Males gambled more with a higher frequency and had a more severe level of gambling problems. Females were more attracted to scratch card gambling and daily Keno lotteries compared to males. In comparison, males gambled more on internet poker sites than females. Overall, a high frequency of gambling in Lotto, daily lotteries, slot machines, horse race betting and internet gambling was significantly associated with a more severe level of problem gambling.

Conclusion: Gambling problems affect tens of thousands of individuals annually, therefore certain vulnerabilities should be noted. Comorbid dependencies, smoking in particular, ought to be screened for and recognised in the public health sector. Regulating the availability of slot machine gambling and enforcement of the age limit should be acknowledged. In establishing new gambling venues, prevalence rates in those particular areas should be actively monitored.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1994.
    1. Rosenthal RJ. Pathological gambling. Psychiatr Analyses. 1992;22:72–8.
    1. Williams RJ, Volberg RA, Stevens RMG. The population Prevalence of Problem Gambling: Methodological Influences, Standardized Rates, Jurisdictional Differences, and Worldwide Trends. : Report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care; 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3068.
    1. Turja T, Halme J, Mervola M, Järvinen-Tassopoulos J, Ronkainen J-E. Suomalaisten rahapelaaminen 2011 (Finnish gambling 2011) Helsinki: National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL); 2012.
    1. Ilkas H, Turja T. Rahapelitutkimus. (Gambling study) Helsinki: Taloustutkimus Oy. Sosiaali ja terveysministerio (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health); 2003.

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources