Ultimately, the type of gambling format an individual partakes in does mediate the relationship between problem gambling and involvement. We also found that the level of involvement (and its relationship to intensity) may affect the likelihood that an individual will experience problematic gambling behavior. The gambling format an individual participates in is connected to whether an individual is likely to experience problem gambling. Specific gambling formats mediated the relationship between involvement and problem gambling. Therefore, intensity of gambling may be partly driving the relationship between involvement and problem gambling. Gambling involvement was also positively associated with intensity of gambling. High gambling involvement was also positively associated with problem gambling however, a large minority of gamblers experienced problems when engaging in only one or two forms of gambling. Groups of monthly gamblers participating in casino gambling, bingo, and sports betting contained a higher proportion of problem gamblers.

We assessed: 1) whether some gambling formats are more related to problem gambling 2) whether problem gambling is positively related to high involvement in gambling 3) the relationship between involvement in gambling and intensity of gambling and 4) whether gambling formats mediate the relationship between gambling involvement and problem gambling. Within the sample, there were 446 problem gamblers. The Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure was used to classify gambling behavior. Only those who gambled regularly in the past 12 months ( n = 5852) were included. All participants were administered the same comprehensive survey of their past year gambling behavior and problem gambling symptomology. The BGPS contains a representative sample of 9523 Massachusetts adults and the BOPS contains a sample of 5046 Massachusetts adults. MethodĪnalyses utilized the Baseline General Population Survey (BGPS) and the Baseline Online Panel Survey (BOPS) of Massachusettscollected in 2013–2014. This debate has important implications for the regulation of gambling formats and for the allocation of problem gambling prevention and treatment services. Conflicting evidence, however, has emerged, suggesting that the most important consideration is involvement (i.e., number of gambling formats an individual participates in).

Research has found that some formats of gambling are more closely linked to problem gambling than others. The recognition of problem gambling as a public health issue has increased as the availability of gambling expands.

Casino gambling