{"title":"Association of gambling activities and modalities with problem gambling in Japan: A nationwide cross-sectional online survey-based study","authors":"Takashi Yoshioka , Ryuhei So , Tatsuya Noda , Moritoshi Kido , Chieko Ito , Tomoki Nakaya , Satoshi Funada , Shiori Tsutsumi , Takahiro Tabuchi","doi":"10.1016/j.abrep.2025.100595","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and Aims</h3><div>Problem gambling (PG) is a relevant public health concern. Thus, this study aimed to identify the association of specific gambling activities and modalities with PG in Japan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study using data from a large-scale online survey was conducted in Japan between February 6 and 27, 2023. Candidate gambling activities and modalities include sports betting (offline/online), casinos (offline/online), lotteries (offline/online), electronic gaming machines, and trading activities. PG was defined as a score ≥ 8 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index. All estimates were weighted using a nationally representative survey conducted in Japan in 2019. To estimate the association between gambling engagement and the prevalence of PG, multivariable logistic regression models were fitted after adjusting for 13 confounding factors representing demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and geographic characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 12,955 respondents aged 15–82 years who had gambled in the past year were included. Among the respondents, 12.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 11.4–13.1) were reported PG. The weighted multivariable logistic regression models revealed significant associations of PG with online sports betting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.41, 95 % CI 1.86–3.13), offline casinos (aOR 1.53, 95 % CI 1.16–2.02), online casinos (aOR 4.25, 95 % CI 3.09–5.86), and cryptocurrency trading (aOR 1.60, 95 % CI 1.22–2.10).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Experiences in online sports betting, online and offline casinos, and cryptocurrency trading demonstrated statistically significant associations with the prevalence of PG. These findings emphasize the need for legal awareness of casinos and restrictions on gambling access and betting amounts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":38040,"journal":{"name":"Addictive Behaviors Reports","volume":"21 ","pages":"Article 100595"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Addictive Behaviors Reports","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853225000136","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"Psychology","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and Aims
Problem gambling (PG) is a relevant public health concern. Thus, this study aimed to identify the association of specific gambling activities and modalities with PG in Japan.
Methods
A cross-sectional study using data from a large-scale online survey was conducted in Japan between February 6 and 27, 2023. Candidate gambling activities and modalities include sports betting (offline/online), casinos (offline/online), lotteries (offline/online), electronic gaming machines, and trading activities. PG was defined as a score ≥ 8 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index. All estimates were weighted using a nationally representative survey conducted in Japan in 2019. To estimate the association between gambling engagement and the prevalence of PG, multivariable logistic regression models were fitted after adjusting for 13 confounding factors representing demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and geographic characteristics.
Results
A total of 12,955 respondents aged 15–82 years who had gambled in the past year were included. Among the respondents, 12.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 11.4–13.1) were reported PG. The weighted multivariable logistic regression models revealed significant associations of PG with online sports betting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.41, 95 % CI 1.86–3.13), offline casinos (aOR 1.53, 95 % CI 1.16–2.02), online casinos (aOR 4.25, 95 % CI 3.09–5.86), and cryptocurrency trading (aOR 1.60, 95 % CI 1.22–2.10).
Conclusion
Experiences in online sports betting, online and offline casinos, and cryptocurrency trading demonstrated statistically significant associations with the prevalence of PG. These findings emphasize the need for legal awareness of casinos and restrictions on gambling access and betting amounts.
期刊介绍:
Addictive Behaviors Reports is an open-access and peer reviewed online-only journal offering an interdisciplinary forum for the publication of research in addictive behaviors. The journal accepts submissions that are scientifically sound on all forms of addictive behavior (alcohol, drugs, gambling, Internet, nicotine and technology) with a primary focus on behavioral and psychosocial research. The emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. We are particularly interested in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research. Studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry as well as scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are also very much encouraged. We also welcome multimedia submissions that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings.