Gambling Involvement and Problem Gambling: Finding from a General Population Survey

Session Title

Regulation: Behavioral Impacts & Market Outcomes

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

27-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Certain gambling formats, such as slot machines, have consistently been related to problem gambling. Extensive involvement in multiple gambling activities may also represent an important risk factor. This study explored the relationship between gambling involvement, gambling formats, and problem gambling in a subsample of 817 participants who reported engaging in gambling in the past month, drawn from a representative sample of Croatian residents aged 15-64 (N=4,988), Gambling involvement was assessed by the number of gambling formats and frequency of gambling in the past month, while problem gambling was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Most participants (37.3%) engaged in one, 26.8% in two, 21.4% in three, and 14.5% in four or more gambling formats. Overall, 67.4% of participants were classified as non-problem, 10.1% as low-risk, 14.0% as moderate-risk, and 8.5% as participants with problem gambling. High gambling involvement was related to problem gambling, and frequent sports betting, casino games, and slot machines use. Participants with problem gambling most commonly engaged in four or more gambling formats. Findings suggest problem gambling is related not only to specific gambling formats but also to patterns of extensive and frequent involvement in multiple gambling activities, highlighting the importance of monitoring overall gambling behavior rather than focusing on specific games to identify high-risk individuals and inform prevention efforts.

Author Bios

Bruno Škovrlj is a research assistant at the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia. He obtained his master’s degree in psychology from the University of Zagreb, where he is currently enrolled in the PhD program in psychology. His research interests include substance use, gambling, gaming, and mental health.

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May 27th, 12:00 AM

Gambling Involvement and Problem Gambling: Finding from a General Population Survey

Certain gambling formats, such as slot machines, have consistently been related to problem gambling. Extensive involvement in multiple gambling activities may also represent an important risk factor. This study explored the relationship between gambling involvement, gambling formats, and problem gambling in a subsample of 817 participants who reported engaging in gambling in the past month, drawn from a representative sample of Croatian residents aged 15-64 (N=4,988), Gambling involvement was assessed by the number of gambling formats and frequency of gambling in the past month, while problem gambling was assessed using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Most participants (37.3%) engaged in one, 26.8% in two, 21.4% in three, and 14.5% in four or more gambling formats. Overall, 67.4% of participants were classified as non-problem, 10.1% as low-risk, 14.0% as moderate-risk, and 8.5% as participants with problem gambling. High gambling involvement was related to problem gambling, and frequent sports betting, casino games, and slot machines use. Participants with problem gambling most commonly engaged in four or more gambling formats. Findings suggest problem gambling is related not only to specific gambling formats but also to patterns of extensive and frequent involvement in multiple gambling activities, highlighting the importance of monitoring overall gambling behavior rather than focusing on specific games to identify high-risk individuals and inform prevention efforts.