Presenter
Steve Jacob
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Technology-based gambling prevalence is not well understood since relevant questions are not included in health and disease surveillance studies. The current study sought to estimate the prevalence of internet-based and smartphone app-based gambling, along with casino gambling, in a sample of U.S. young adults and determine if gambling modality was associated with problem gambling symptoms or substance use. The 2022 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey included N=1,022 students between the ages of 18 to 25 years old who had lived in Rhode Island, with n=414 lifetime gamblers(40.5%) included in this study. Odds of gambling via a smartphone app and on the internet, respectively, were greater in heterosexual cis-males compared to heterosexual cis-females (OR[95%CI] = 3.14 [1.25,7.91];OR[95%CI] = 6.30 [2.05,19.3]). Internet gambling amongst employed students was less common than among those who were not a student and not employed (OR[95%CI] = 0.25 [0.06,1.00]).Odds of problem gambling symptoms were higher among those who gambled via a smartphone app (OR[95%CI] = 3.23 [1.21,8.60]). All forms of gambling were associated with alcohol consumption, although the strength of the association was stronger inapp and internet gamblers. Casino gamblers were more likely to be high risk marijuana and illicit drug users. Bans on internet gambling and/or strict guidelines on the frequency of wagers and cash placed per wager, should be considered as viable methods to mitigate associated consequences.
Faculty Mentor
Samantha Rosenthal, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Academic Discipline
College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Jacob, Steve and Rosenthal, Samantha, "Internet, App-based, and Casino Gambling" (2024). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 100.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/100