title: Internet gambling among high school students in Hong Kong.
abstract: The study investigated Internet gambling involvement and pathological gambling among Hong Kong adolescents aged 12-19 years. The diagnostic and statistical manual (4th edition) multiple response format for juveniles (DSM-IV-MR-J) (Fisher in J Gambl Stud 16:253-273, 2000) was filled by 1,004 students (597 boys, 407 girls) recruited by random selection of classes. The response rate was 86.6 %. Results indicate that more respondents participated in land-based gambling than Internet gambling (63.5 vs. 3.5 %) but online gamblers are 1.5 and 3.2 times more likely to develop pathological and at-risk gambling than non-Internet gamblers. Using the DSM-IV-MR-J criteria, 5.7 and 22.9 % of the Internet gamblers could be classified as at-risk gamblers and pathological gamblers, respectively. Majority (94.3 %) wagered online at home, and 91.4 % made their first bet before 18 years. Many perceived Internet gambling as a trendy (71.4 %) and safe entertainment (54.3 %). Problematic Internet gambling was significantly associated with the male gender, school grades, online gambling frequency, amount wagered and a gambling family environment. Survey results have implications for gambling research and preventive programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ssilkw@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Irene Lai Kuen
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Ernest Moon Tong
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: So
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*