Abstract
According to the social axioms framework, people’s beliefs about how the world functions (i.e., internal or external locus
of control) are related to their social behaviors. Previous researchers have attempted to relate locus of control to gambling
behavior, but the results have not been clear-cut. The present study speculated that the effects of perceived control (i.e.,
belief in luck and belief in skill) on gambling behavior are domain-specific and vary with the type of gambling. A total of
306 adult Macau residents ranging in age from 18 to 65 with casino gambling experience were recruited by going door to door.
Empirical data on gambling frequency and perceived control relating to 13 types of gambling were collected. Our results demonstrated
that the effects of belief in luck or skill on gambling behavior varied across different gambling categories. Specifically,
for football lottery, Chinese lottery, and baccarat, it was not belief in skill but rather belief in luck that was a positive
significant predictor of gambling frequency. Only for slot machines and stud poker did belief in skill significantly predict
gambling frequency. For the remaining eight gambling categories, neither belief in luck nor belief in skill could predict
gambling frequency. Our findings indicate that neither internal nor external locus of control can consistently explain people’s
gambling behaviors. Instead, which factor plays a greater role in a person’s gambling behavior is dependent on the gambling
type. Therefore, the finding that not all gambles are created equal might be a promising avenue for further research and treatment
approaches.
of control) are related to their social behaviors. Previous researchers have attempted to relate locus of control to gambling
behavior, but the results have not been clear-cut. The present study speculated that the effects of perceived control (i.e.,
belief in luck and belief in skill) on gambling behavior are domain-specific and vary with the type of gambling. A total of
306 adult Macau residents ranging in age from 18 to 65 with casino gambling experience were recruited by going door to door.
Empirical data on gambling frequency and perceived control relating to 13 types of gambling were collected. Our results demonstrated
that the effects of belief in luck or skill on gambling behavior varied across different gambling categories. Specifically,
for football lottery, Chinese lottery, and baccarat, it was not belief in skill but rather belief in luck that was a positive
significant predictor of gambling frequency. Only for slot machines and stud poker did belief in skill significantly predict
gambling frequency. For the remaining eight gambling categories, neither belief in luck nor belief in skill could predict
gambling frequency. Our findings indicate that neither internal nor external locus of control can consistently explain people’s
gambling behaviors. Instead, which factor plays a greater role in a person’s gambling behavior is dependent on the gambling
type. Therefore, the finding that not all gambles are created equal might be a promising avenue for further research and treatment
approaches.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-13
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-011-9263-z
- Authors
- Kun Zhou, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Hui Tang, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Yue Sun, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
- Gui-Hai Huang, Gaming Teaching and Research Centre, Macau Polytechnic Institute, Macau, China
- Li-Lin Rao, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Zhu-Yuan Liang, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Shu Li, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101 Beijing, China
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350