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Sally Gainsbury NSW Problem Gambling Counsellors’ Conference April 3, 2012

Gambling in the Internet age: How the rise of Internet gambling is changing the face of problem gambling in Australia. Sally Gainsbury NSW Problem Gambling Counsellors’ Conference April 3, 2012. Overview. What is Internet gambling? Contribution of Internet gambling to problem gambling

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Sally Gainsbury NSW Problem Gambling Counsellors’ Conference April 3, 2012

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  1. Gambling in the Internet age: How the rise of Internet gambling is changing the face of problem gambling in Australia Sally Gainsbury NSW Problem Gambling Counsellors’ Conference April 3, 2012

  2. Overview • What is Internet gambling? • Contribution of Internet gambling to problem gambling • Implications for problem gambling treatment • Questions & discussion

  3. What is Internet gambling?

  4. Internet gambling expenditure is increasing globally • Global Interactive gambling gross win • 8.4% of total gambling • 12% annual growth

  5. International Internet gambling market • 62% of Internet gambling is offshore • 2,737 sites • 774 owners • 74 regulatory jurisdictions • Malta • Netherlands Antilles • Gibraltar • Costa Rica • Italy

  6. International Internet gambling market

  7. Key growth factors • Cheap, fast broadband connections • Mobile technology • Increase use of and trust in sites • Reputable Internet gambling sites • Safe, secure online payment systems • Increased marketing • Bonuses and incentives

  8. Features of Internet gambling • Accessible & convenient • Solitary or social play • Players create a persona • High degree of customer choice • Any type of level of play possible • Large pool of players • Competitive odds and player return • Account information available • Vast amount of information to guide bets

  9. Australian regulation & availability • Interactive Gambling Act 2001 • 14th largest provider of online gambling • 91% of Internet gambling sites available to Australians • 153 payment methods • 4-10% participation

  10. Characteristics of Internet gamblers • More men, but increasing women • Highly involved gamblers • Higher socio-economic status • More educated • Employed full-time • Technologically savvy • Younger adults • Most play at reasonably low levels • High variability, some highly involved

  11. Contribution of Internet gambling to problem gambling

  12. Rates of problem gambling amongst Internet gamblers • Mixed evidence that for PG and at-risk amongst Internet gamblers • Wood & Williams 2010 – 2.24 times for PG, 3.2 for at-risk • Gainsbury et al., 2012 – no diff. PG, higher PGSI • Internet gamblers more likely to be at-risk for PG • Increase in Internet gambling treatment and help-seeking

  13. Features of Internet gambling that may contribute to problems • Electronic payment methods • Constant availability and easy access • Private, continuous play with no interruptions • Incentives, marketing

  14. Internet Problem Gamblers - Demographics Significant predictors of Internet gambling problems: • Younger • Unemployed • Unmarried • Lower education • Lower household income • Higher household debt

  15. Internet Problem Gamblers – gambling behaviour • Greater overall gambling participation • Greater average monthly spend • Use land-based forms more than non-PG Internet gamblers • Approx 1/3 attribute problems to land-based gambling

  16. Internet gambling has multiple impacts on problem gambling • Accessible to heavy/problem gamblers • Features increase risky play • Appealing to new market of gamblers • Appealing to youth

  17. Implications of Internet gambling for problem gambling treatment

  18. Treatment implications • Internet problem gamblers less likely to: • Recognise problems • Seek help • Majority prefer face-to-face counselling • Identify contributing role of Internet gambling and timeline • Detailed investigation of Internet gambling • Psychoeducation: • Role of skill and chance • Risks – theft, fraud, deception, lost deposits

  19. Treatment implications Suggested behavioural options: • Online self-exclusion • Blocking software • Limit Internet use • Limit or block payment options • Use spam email filters • Online interactive self-help tools & resources

  20. Conclusions • Internet gambling problems likely to increase • Problem Internet gamblers not homogenous group • Internet causes unique problems • Need to consider wider patterns of behaviour • Treatment adapted as necessary

  21. Thank you!Questions & Discussion Dr. Sally Gainsbury Post Doctoral Research Fellow Centre for Gambling Education & Research Southern Cross University Email: sally.gainsbury@scu.edu.au Twitter: @DrSalGainsbury Website: http://works.bepress.com/sally_gainsbury/

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