title: The interaction between gambling activities and modes of access: a comparison of Internet-only, land-based only, and mixed-mode gamblers.
abstract: Research suggests that Internet-based gambling includes risk factors that may increase gambling problems. The current study aimed to investigate subgroups of gamblers to identify the potential harms associated with various forms and modes of gambling. An online survey was completed by 4,594 respondents identified as Internet-only (IG), land-based only (LBGs), or mixed-mode (MMG) gamblers based on self-reported gambling behaviour in the last 12months. Results showed significant socio-demographic differences between groups, with the LBGs being the oldest and MMGs the youngest. MMGs engaged in the greatest variety of gambling forms, had the highest average problem gambling severity scores, and were more likely to attribute problems to sports betting than the other groups. IGs were involved in the lowest number of divergent gambling activities, most likely to gamble frequently on sports and races, and attribute problems to these forms. Compared to the other groups, LBs had a higher proportion of problem gamblers than IGs and were most likely to play electronic gaming machines weekly, with this form of gambling contributing to problems at a substantially greater rate. This study confirms the importance of considering gambling involvement across subgroups of Internet or land-based gamblers. There is a need to consider the interaction between forms and modes of gambling to advance our understanding of the potential risk of mode of gambling to contribute to problems.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Brennan MacCallum Building (A18), University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: sally.gainsbury@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sally M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gainsbury
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Brennan MacCallum Building (A18), University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: alex.russell@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Brennan MacCallum Building (A18), University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: alex.blaszczynski@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blaszczynski
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia. Electronic address: nerilee.hing@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nerilee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Disordered gambling; Internet gambling; Predictors; Problem gambling; Risk factors; Sub-groups