Gambling and problem gambling among adults and adolescents in Iceland: A review of findings from the Icelandic
Gambling Project
Dr. DanDr. Danííelel ÞóÞórr ÓlasonÓlason Psychology department Psychology department
University of Iceland University of Iceland
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The gambling situation in Iceland
Monthly lotteries
Sport pools
Sport betting
Scratch tickets
National Lotto
Viking lotto
EGMs
Bingo
++ +- ++ --
Population: 312.000
60% Total Revenue in 2005:
83 million Euros
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The Icelandic research project
• Our aims:
1. To collect information on the prevalence of
gambling and problem gambling among adults and adolescents in Iceland!
2. To examine potential correlates of problem gambling in Iceland!
3. To establish a consultancy for the Icelandic authorities for the “best” treatment and
prevention strategies for problem gambling in
Iceland!
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Concluded studies
Icelandic studies
Icelandic studies YearYear NN InstrumentsInstruments Response Response rates rates Adults
Adults
1. Adults (18
1. Adults (18--70 years)70 years) 2005 5000 PGSI, DSM-IV 3358 (69%) 2. Adults (18
2. Adults (18--70 years)70 years) 2007 5000 PGSI 3009 (63%)
2. Youth 16
2. Youth 16--18 years18 years 2006 1513 DSM-IV-MR-J Convenience 3. Youth 13
3. Youth 13--15 years15 years 2004 4660 DSM-IV-MR-J 3573 (77%) 4. Youth 13
4. Youth 13--15 years15 years 2007 1170 DSM-IV-MR-J 1033 (88.3%) 750
Adolescents Adolescents 1. Youth 16
1. Youth 16--18 years18 years 2003 DSM-IV-MR-J Convenience
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Gambling among adults
Both adult studies reveal that most adults gamble Both adult studies reveal that most adults gamble
(67%(67%-69%) and about 12 to 13% gamble once a week -69%) and about 12 to 13% gamble once a week or more.
or more.
The most popular gambling forms in Iceland are Lotto, The most popular gambling forms in Iceland are Lotto, monthly lotteries and scratch
monthly lotteries and scratch--cards.cards.
Overall little change in gambling behaviour was Overall little change in gambling behaviour was
observed between studies, except for lotto, card games observed between studies, except for lotto, card games (poker) and betting on the Internet.
(poker) and betting on the Internet.
•• In general, men are more likely to gamble on games In general, men are more likely to gamble on games that require knowledge or skill to some degree (e.g.
that require knowledge or skill to some degree (e.g.
sports betting, poker) and women more likely to sports betting, poker) and women more likely to
gamble in games based on random events (lotteries, gamble in games based on random events (lotteries, Bingo).
Bingo). The exception is EGMs! The exception is EGMs!
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0.3 1.3
0.5 1.1
0.5 0.6
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
DSM-IV (2005) PGSI (2005) PGSI (2007)
At risk PPG
Problem gambling among adults
2005 2005 2005 2005 - - 2007 2007
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Demographics of Pathological gambling
Non- problem gamblers
Problem and pathological
gamblers B Wald test OR
Gender
Males 97.7% 2.3% 0842 4.057* 2.321 Females (reference group) 99.3% 0.7% - - -
Education - 10.457**
Primary 96.4% 3.6% 2.491 5.568* 12.071 Secondary 99.0% 1.0% 1.396 1.706 4.039 University (reference group) 99.8% 0.2% - - -
Age (years) 6.653
18 to 25 95.4% 4.6% 0.451 0.412 1.570 26 to 40 98.4% 1.6% 0.878 1.778 2.406 41 to 55 99.6% 0.4% -0.979 1.130 0.376 56 to 70 (reference group) 99.3% 0.7% - - - Marital status
Single 96.3% 3.7% 1.175 6.950** 3.237 Married/cohabiting (reference group) 99.3% 0.7% - - -
Residence 1.636
Reykjavik and capital area 98.6% 1.4% -0.186 0.250 0.830 Countryside (reference group) 98.2% 1.8% - - -
Gambling behavior among
Icelandic adolescents. Are they
changing?
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6.2 52.5
8.0 70.0
11.1 62.0
10.0 79.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
16-18 y (2003) 16-18 y (2006) 13-15 y (2004) 13-15 y (2007)
Total Weekly
Gambling among Icelandic Youth
10 10
26.4
15.5 28.1
48.2
32
14.4 29.3 30.4 32.7
53.7 46.7
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
16-18 y (2003) 16-18 y (2006) 13-15 y (2004) 13-15 y (2007)
EGM
Scratch-cards Lotto
EGM, Scratch-cards and Lotto among Youth
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3.5 21.5
0.5 3.8 1.9
20.2
0.4 2.4
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
16-18 y (2003) 16-18 y (2006) 13-15 y (2004) 13-15 y (2007)
Total Weekly
Internet gambling
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Youth problem gambling
16-18 y (2003)
16-18 y (2006)
13-15 y (2004)
13-15 y (2007) DSM-IV
(≥4)
DSM-IV (≥ 4)
DSM-IV (≥4)
DSM-IV (≥ 4)
Total 2.0% 3.0% 1.9% 1.7%
Males 3.7% 5.8% 3.4% 3.2%
Females 0.3% 0.4% 0.4% 0.2%
Internet gamblers
- 10.1% - 8.0%
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Correlates of PG in Iceland
• Problem gamblers are more stressed, and have lower satisfaction with life!
• Problem gamblers are more likely to think irrationally about gambling!
• Problem gamblers are more likely to use alcohol or drugs!
• Problem gamblers are more likely to have relatives with gambling problems!
• Problem gamblers were more likely to have
experienced periods (two weeks) of depression!
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Potential risk factors continued…
• Problem gamblers start earlier to gamble!
• Problem gamblers are more likely to remember a big win at the start of their gambling!
• Problem gamblers are between 7 to 8 times more likely to be classified with current ADHD than the normal population of adults or adolescents!
• EGMs, card games (poker) and Internet
gambling seem to be the most favourite games
of problem gamblers in Iceland!
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Summary
• The results of the Icelandic Gambling Project reveal that the prevalence of problem gambling among
adults and adolescents in Iceland is comparable to international findings!
• A notable feature of the Icelandic gambling situation is:
• The distribution and accessibility of low- and high-stake EGMs!
• The possible changes in Internet gambling participation rates among adolescents!
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Current status on treatment and prevention
• The ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs
holds a conservative stance regarding legalising new types of gambling!
• New law from 2005 grants the Ministry the
authorization to limit advertising and to claim funds from the gaming companies to use for research,
treatment and prevention!
• However, there is no national policy on treatment and prevention for problem gambling!
• There is also no National helpline and no self- exclusion programs from arcades with gambling machines!
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Considerations for the future
Empirically based Cognitive behavioral treatment is needed!
The availability and accessibility to low-and-high stake EGMs
should be reconsidered!
Empirically based prevention program targeting adolescent boys and parents is needed!
PG should be screened in
treatment programs for youth with alcohol/drugs or behavioural disorders!
