Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity, University Drive, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670, Australia.
Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory, CQUniversity, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
BMC Public Health. 2022 Aug 26;22(1):1620. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14019-6.
Over the last decade, the provision of online gambling has intensified with increased access, enhanced betting markets, a broader product range, and prolific marketing. However, little research has explored how this intensification is influencing contemporary gambling experiences. This study focused on two research questions: 1) What changes in online gambling have online gamblers observed over the past decade? 2) How have these changes influenced the online gambling experiences and behaviours reported by treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking gamblers?
Two samples of Australian adults were interviewed: 1) 19 people who had been gambling online for at least a decade and with no history of treatment-seeking for online gambling, and 2) 10 people who had recently sought professional help for an online gambling problem. Telephone interviews were semi-structured, with questions that encouraged participants to consider how their online gambling, including any harmful gambling, had been influenced by changes in operator practices and online gambling environments. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Both treatment- and non-treatment-seekers noted the increased speed and ease of online gambling, which now enables instant access from anywhere at any time and increased their gambling opportunities. Both groups highlighted the continued proliferation of advertising and inducements for online gambling, particularly during televised sports and racing events, in social media, and through targeted push marketing. Many treatment- and non-treatment-seekers were aware of the vast range of recently introduced bet types, particularly multi-bets. Treatment-seekers disproportionately reported negative effects from these changes, and described how and why they fostered their increased gambling, impulsive gambling, persistence and loss-chasing. They reported limited uptake and effectiveness of current harm minimisation tools.
Counter to stated policy and practice objectives to minimise gambling harm, industry changes that have made online gambling easier, faster, and more heavily incentivised, and increased the array of complex bets with poorer odds, unduly affect addicted and harmed individuals - who are also the most profitable customers. Further consideration is needed to ensure gambling policy, industry practices and public health measures more effectively reduce gambling harm in contemporary settings. Inducements and the poor pricing of complex bets such as multi-bets, and their outsized attraction to players with problems, should be a key focus.
在过去的十年中，随着获取途径的增加、投注市场的增强、更广泛的产品范围和丰富的营销手段，网络赌博的提供加剧了。然而，很少有研究探讨这种加剧如何影响当代的赌博体验。本研究关注两个研究问题：1）在过去十年中，网络赌客观察到网络赌博有哪些变化？2）这些变化如何影响寻求治疗和非寻求治疗的赌客的网络赌博体验和行为？
对澳大利亚的两个成年人样本进行了访谈：1）19 名至少有十年网络赌博经验且无网络赌博治疗寻求史的人，以及 2）10 名最近因网络赌博问题寻求专业帮助的人。电话访谈采用半结构化方式进行，问题鼓励参与者考虑他们的网络赌博，包括任何有害赌博，如何受到运营商做法和网络赌博环境变化的影响。数据采用主题分析进行分析。
治疗组和非治疗组都注意到网络赌博的速度和便利性的提高，现在可以随时随地即时访问，并增加了他们的赌博机会。两组都强调了广告和网络赌博诱导的持续泛滥，尤其是在电视体育和赛马赛事期间、社交媒体上以及通过有针对性的推送营销。许多治疗组和非治疗组都意识到最近引入的多种博彩类型，特别是多博彩，数量繁多。治疗组不成比例地报告了这些变化的负面影响，并描述了他们如何以及为何助长了他们增加的赌博、冲动赌博、坚持和追输。他们报告说，目前的减少伤害工具的采用和有效性有限。
与旨在减少赌博伤害的政策和实践目标背道而驰的是，行业的变化使得网络赌博变得更容易、更快、更具激励性，并增加了更复杂的赔率较低的博彩类型，过度影响成瘾和受损的个人——他们也是最有利可图的客户。需要进一步考虑，以确保赌博政策、行业实践和公共卫生措施在当代环境中更有效地减少赌博伤害。诱导和复杂博彩（如多博彩）的糟糕定价及其对有问题的玩家的巨大吸引力，应该成为一个重点关注领域。
