Passion for poker and the relationship with gambling problems: a cross-sectional study

Previous research has shown that poker players spend significant time, large amounts of money and have a high prevalence of gambling problems. While some studies have examined the association between gambling behaviours and passion, none have explored this association specifically among poker players. This study aims to examine the relationships between two types of passion (i.e. harmonious and obsessive) and severity of gambling problems among poker players. A sample of 159 poker players was recruited from across Quebec, Canada. The outcome variable of interest was participants’ scores on the Canadian Pathological Gambling Index and the predictive variable was the Gambling Passion Scale. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors of at-risk poker players. Severity of gambling problems is positively associated with obsessive passion (p < .05). However, harmonious passion is not associated with gambling problems. These results align with previous findings obtained for other gambling activities. Thus, passion could be considered a useful tool when approaching players to talk about risk-taking.     

Conformity to masculine norms among treatment-seeking male problem gamblers

Men are more likely than women to engage in so-called ‘strategic’ forms of gambling, particularly wagering and casino table games, but the reasons for this preference are unclear. Previous research on male gender roles found that behaviours that are effective at establishing masculinity are those perceived as being risky, skill-based and public – which are also characteristic of these ‘strategic’ forms of gambling. The aim of the current study was to examine the possibility that men may be drawn to wagering and casino table games because these strategic forms of gambling are associated with masculinity. Seventy male treatment-seeking problem gamblers completed a survey on their perceptions of various forms of gambling, and a measure of conformity to masculine norms. Participants reported that being seen as skilled and intelligent, and acting in public were important motivators for both wagering and playing casino table games. Furthermore, individuals who engaged in wagering and casino table games displayed higher levels of conformity to masculine norms than those who preferred gambling on gaming machines. The findings have important implications for the regulation of gambling promotion, the encouragement of help-seeking, and the treatment of gambling disorders in men.     

省以下政府间关系研究述评：维度、主题、难点

省以下政府间关系是近年来中国地方政府研究的重点和难点问题。既有的研究形成了纵向和横向两个维度,在纵向维度的研究中,学者们探讨了纵向关系的结构、分权化、集权、利益博彝等主题。在横向维度的研究中,学者们主要关心的是府际协调与冲突问题,当前省以下政府间关系研究的难点有：地方政府双重身份的矛盾;政府间经济分权与政治集权的关系;省以下政府间关系的背景及发展方向。     

广东谘议局与清末广东禁赌

粤人好赌,屡禁不止,晚清尤烈。清末广东的禁赌运动,与新设之广东谘议局有着紧密联系。官方与部分议员在"先禁赌"还是"先筹抵赌饷"问题上本有分歧并逐渐冲突,而议员之间的分派也渐趋明显,终致广东谘议局议员集体辞职事件的发生。综观宣统年间禁赌过程,筹抵赌饷实是关键环节。各方商业和权力利益的复杂纠缠,说明了清末政治废弛、经济无力、控制力式微现象。仔细考察清末广东禁赌过程,实能反映颇多问题。     

Near Miss,Gambler’s Fallacy and Entrapment: Their Influence on Lottery Gamblers in Thailand

Near miss, gambler’s fallacy and entrapment are hypothesized to influence gambling behavior but their individual impact on gambling behavior and their relationships have not been investigated. This study examines the direct and mediated effects of near miss, gambler’s fallacy and entrapment on lottery gambling among Thai lottery gamblers. Two groups of 200 lottery gamblers participated in the study. One group used superstitious methods to search for lottery numbers to bet, whereas the other group simply bought their tickets from lottery stalls. The superstitious group shows higher levels of near miss, gambler’s fallacy, entrapment and lottery gambling. Three models of relationships among near miss, gambler’s fallacy, entrapment and lottery gambling were constructed using LISREL program. The model that shows a direct effect of near miss, and one that shows a mediated effect of near miss fit the data equally. The results confirm a gambler’s fallacy and entrapment as starting points in the theory of cognitive psychology of lottery gambling and the generalization of near miss in gambling motivation.     

Exposure Therapy for Problem Gambling via Videoconferencing: A Case Report

This case report of a 31 year old woman who described her main problem as an uncontrollable urge to gamble on electronic gaming machines describes the application of exposure therapy (ET) by videoconferencing and the use of a clinical therapy assistant in the treatment of pathological gambling. The case study is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this treatment with six sessions of therapy and 4 year follow up. The use of videoconferencing is discussed in relation to treatment effectiveness, ongoing follow up for the client and education and support for a community mental health nurse, therapy assistant, in a rural setting in South Australia. The implications of using this modality for the treatment of rural patients with problem gambling is discussed.     

Vulnerability and Comorbidity Factors of Female Problem Gambling

This study helps to address a deficiency of gender-specific research into problem gambling. It focuses on the gambling behaviors, family and personal histories and comorbid psychological disorders of 365 female gamblers from across Ontario, Canada, who responded to a mail-in survey. Specifically, this study looks at rates of depression and anxiety, concurrent struggles with other behaviors (such as alcohol and drug use, disordered eating, overspending and criminal activity) and abuse history reported by female gamblers. The reported rates are considerably higher than for the general female population. The findings of this study agree with previous research. They suggest that prevention strategies and treatment practices for female problem gamblers should take into account women’s mental health, addiction and trauma history as contributing factors in the development of problematic gambling.     

Prevalence of Adult Problem and Pathological Gambling between 2000 and 2005: An Update

Background Excessive gambling is a prominent Public Health problem with high prevalence rates in many countries. Substance abuse and other co-morbidities often constitute a major health hazard for the person which gambles with a loss of material and social resources, as well as being a major concern for his or her significant others. The present study updates and extends prevalence data to include work published between 2000 and 2005 in English and other European languages. Methods In a three-step search and exclusion process, studies with current adult prevalence rates were gathered. Results Almost all studies fulfil basic research standards. The weighted mean prevalence rates for excessive gambling (problem and pathological) are 3.0% for the South Oaks Gambling Survey (problem 1.2%; pathological 1.8%), 3.3% for the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (problem 2.4%; pathological 0.8%) and 3.1% for the DSM-IV (problem 1.9%; pathological 1.2%). Conclusion The prevalence rates are comparable and relatively stable between countries and across survey instruments, and do not differ from earlier reviews. The regular epidemiological monitoring of excessive gambling remains a major Public Health issue although the distinction between pathological and problem gambling is not appropriate for epidemiological research. Further studies are needed with respect to concomitant lifestyle characteristics.     

High Stakes Casinos and Controversies

ABSTRACT

With the expansion of casino gambling across the United States, casino proposals generate huge controversy and increasingly pose challenges for community organizing. This article analyzes the impact of controversies over casino proposals in Hartford and elsewhere in Connecticut. In Connecticut, after the establishment of Fox-woods Casino of Native American lands, casino proposals were considered for Hartford and other locations. Within a unique constellation of local and statewide forces, a heated public debate ensued that was extremely divisive for the local community. As an economic development strategy for distressed communities casinos present tantalizing opportunities, but also may produce problematic results and prove destructive to community coalitions and cohesion, regardless of whether or not they are even built.     

农村留守妇女娱乐性“赌博”的法律探讨

改革开放后,工业化和城镇化发展加快,城市涌现了大量的农民工兄弟,导致农村出现了一个独特的群体——留守妇女。农村留守妇女参与娱乐性"赌博"现象引发了一系列社会问题。通过社会调查,收集了有关农村留守妇女参与娱乐性赌博的资料。通过数据分析,了解到农村留守妇女参与赌博现象背后更为复杂的社会原因。并对农村留守妇女娱乐性"赌博"现象进行了深入分析,研究该现象导致的婚外情不正当关系、家庭暴力的法律问题;最后,针对农村留守妇女娱乐性"赌博"现象引发的一系列法律问题,结合农村的具体情况,从立法和法律实施角度提出了减少和消除农村留守妇女娱乐性"赌博"现象的几点建议和对策。