09/04/2023 1Syaron Basnet

" Problem gambling in Finnish Adult Population

“With reference to AVTK 2010 results“

APCG 2013

Syaron Basnet

MSC health, PhD Researcher

National Institute for Health and Welfare

syaron.basnet@thl.fi

Presentation Outline

Background Method Major findings Conclusion Discussion

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Gambling Disorder

• From impulse control disorder to gambling disorder

• Over past three decades many changes in terminology– problem gambling, compulsive gambling, pathological

gambling….

• DSM-5- gambling disorder now is categorized as Substance-

Related and Addictive Disorder

•

Source; American Psychiatric Association, 2013

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Defining the term "Gambling"

• A game of chance and uncertainty• It is wagering of any type of item of value mostly money upon

a game or event of uncertain outcome  (Walker, 2006)• The Finnish Criminal Code (39/1889), defines gambling as

follows:– “pools, bingo, tote and betting games, money and goods

lotteries, casino operations and other similar games and activities where

• “winning is completely or partially dependent on chance or events beyond the control of the participants in the game or activity and

• where the possible loss is clearly disproportionate to the solvency of at least one of the participants.”

Source: Esityksen nimi / Tekijä

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Standardized gambling prevalence rates

Source: William, Volbergs et al. 2012

Austra

liaBra

zil

Canad

a

Denm

ark

Eston

ia

Finlan

d

Franc

e

Germ

any

Great

Brit

ain

Hongk

ong

hung

ary

Icela

ndIta

ly

Mac

au

Nethe

rland

s

New z

ealan

d

N.Irela

nd

Norway

Singap

ore

South

Afri

ca

South

Kor

ea

Sweden

Switzer

land

US

Avera

ge0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

7.00

prevalence rates

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What we have witnessed in past decade

Availability Accessibility

Prevalence Comobidity

+++Legal gambling opportunities

Increase in per capita

gambling expenditure

Significant increase in

overall rate of gambling

participation

Developmental Overview of gambling market

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Structure of gambling development

Prohibition modelRisk model Alibi model

SinEntertainment Vice

Liberalization

Expansion of marketExpressive and active games-

High risks

Instrumental and passive games-low risk

Source: Kingma , International Gambling Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 2004

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Gambling in Finland

Gambling is operated under monopoly system

Gambling in Finland 70% of Finns aged between 15-74 had gambled during the

past 12 months (Turja et al. 2012) 2,7% of the population (110,000 persons)- gambling problems

over last 12-month period (Turja et al. 2012) 1% of the population (40,000 persons)- probable gambling

addicts (with a SOGS score of at least 5 points)  Most popular games are lottery, scratch cards and slot

machines (Turja et al. 2012) A recent study found that young gamblers were allowded to

play slot machines despite the age limits (Warpenius, Holmila 2012)

No statistically significant change in prevalence over the period 2003-2007 (Yhteiskuntapolitiikka 10/2013)

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Health Behaviour and Health among the Finnish Adult population (AVTK)

Survey conducted since 1978 The sample is derived from the population registry On 2008 gambling questions were added

This study is based on 2010 Survey Sample (n = 5 000) aged between 15 and 64 years 2826 individuals replied (1234 males and 1583 females)

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Method

• Gambling severity was measured by Finnish translated PGSI (Problem gambling severity index)

• Also known as candian problem gambling severity index (CPGSI)

• 9 items, maximum 27 point in a 4 point likert scale, 0=never to 3=almost always: Scoring 0=non-problem, 1 0r 2=low lovel of problem 3-7=moderate and ≥8=severe

• Past 12 month Alcohol consumption level was assessed• Risk level alcohol consumption-drinking 6 units at least once

a week• 10 mostly played games and frequency was assessed• Nicotine dependence was assessed

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Major findings

male

female

Total

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

2.1

0.3

1.1

Problem gambling (%)

Problem gambling

Major findings

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Gender differences (%) in problem gambling level

88.9

9

2.1

Male

low level

moderate level

Problem level

97

2.6 0.3

Female

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Conclusion and limitation

• Most common form of gambling was lotto gambled by 56,45

• Males favoured the high risk games such as sports betting

• Frequent betting was associated with more severe problems

• Men and women tend to gamble for different reasons and in different activities

• Limitations-Postal survey,response rate (56,52%)• It is a part of health survey

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Discussion

Sociodemographics• Low socioeconomic factor-unemployment• Males vulnerability• Younger age• Divorced and separated• Education

Different game type• Difference in content and structure• Frequent internet betting was associated with more severe problem

Gender Difference• Males favoured the high risk games such as sports betting• personality factor• Some people and some place might have adapted to the risk and

hazards of gambling (Adatation effect)• Telescoping effect in women

Thank You

Contact information for the research group (firstname.lastname@thl.fi)

Tuuli Lahti, Adjunct professor of Neurophysiology

Hannu Alho, Professor of Addiction Medicine

Sari Castren, Psychologist and nurse

Syaron Basnet, Master of Health Science

Maiju Pankakoski, Statistician

Jenni-Emilia Ronkainen

Satu Helakorpi

Antti Uutela