Abstract
Young people are a high risk group for gambling problems and university (college) students fall into that category. Given
the high accessibility of gambling in Australia and its association with entertainment, students from overseas countries,
particularly those where gambling is restricted or illegal, may be particularly vulnerable. This study examines problem gambling
and its correlates among international and domestic university students using a sample of 836 domestic students (286 males;
546 females); and 764 international students (369 males; 396 females) at three Australian universities. Our findings indicate
that although most students gamble infrequently, around 5 % of students are problem gamblers, a proportion higher than that
in the general adult population. Popular gambling choices include games known to be associated with risk (cards, horse races,
sports betting, casino games, and gaming machines) as well as lotto/scratch tickets. Males are more likely to be problem gamblers
than females, and almost 10 % of male international students could be classified as problem gamblers. Hierarchical regression
analysis showed that male gender, international student status, financial stress, negative affect and frequency of gambling
on sports, horses/dogs, table games, casino gaming machines, internet casino games and bingo all significantly predicted problem
gambling. Results from this study could inform gambling-education programs in universities as they indicate which groups are
more vulnerable and specify which games pose more risk of problem gambling.
the high accessibility of gambling in Australia and its association with entertainment, students from overseas countries,
particularly those where gambling is restricted or illegal, may be particularly vulnerable. This study examines problem gambling
and its correlates among international and domestic university students using a sample of 836 domestic students (286 males;
546 females); and 764 international students (369 males; 396 females) at three Australian universities. Our findings indicate
that although most students gamble infrequently, around 5 % of students are problem gamblers, a proportion higher than that
in the general adult population. Popular gambling choices include games known to be associated with risk (cards, horse races,
sports betting, casino games, and gaming machines) as well as lotto/scratch tickets. Males are more likely to be problem gamblers
than females, and almost 10 % of male international students could be classified as problem gamblers. Hierarchical regression
analysis showed that male gender, international student status, financial stress, negative affect and frequency of gambling
on sports, horses/dogs, table games, casino gaming machines, internet casino games and bingo all significantly predicted problem
gambling. Results from this study could inform gambling-education programs in universities as they indicate which groups are
more vulnerable and specify which games pose more risk of problem gambling.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10899-012-9309-x
- Authors
- Susan M. Moore, Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
- Anna C. Thomas, Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
- Sudhir Kalé, School of Business, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
- Mark Spence, School of Business, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
- Natalina Zlatevska, School of Business, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
- Petra K. Staiger, Centre for Metal Health and Wellbeing Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
- Joseph Graffam, Centre for Metal Health and Wellbeing Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
- Michael Kyrios, Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
- Journal Journal of Gambling Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-3602
- Print ISSN 1050-5350