title: What's in a Name? Assessing the Accuracy of Self-identifying as a Professional or Semi-Professional Gambler.
abstract: Growing interest in pursuing a professional gambling career has been accompanied by a rise in individuals self-identifying as professional gamblers. Whether this trend reflects an actual increase in individuals sustaining livelihoods from gambling or inaccurate appropriation of a now glamorized identity is unclear. Adopting a self-image of professional gambler in the absence of ability to earn a sustainable income from the activity may increase risk of problem gambling and deter help-seeking. However, extent of problem gambling in this cohort is uncertain. This study aimed to: (1) determine any differences that might validate the self-reported identity of professional and semi-professional gamblers by investigating characteristics and behaviors that distinguish them from amateur gamblers; and (2) identify characteristics and behaviors that distinguish between self-identified semi-professional/professional gamblers with and without gambling problems. In an online survey of 4,594 Australian gamblers, 1.2% identified as professional gamblers, 6.8% as semi-professional gamblers, and 92.0% as amateur gamblers. Self-identified professional and semi-professional gamblers were distinguished from amateur gamblers by preference for skill-based gambling, higher reported likelihood of winning, and greater use of online gambling and multiple online operators. Two-fifths of professional and three-fifths of semi-professional gamblers scored as moderate risk or problem gamblers, but negative consequences were more likely personal, interpersonal and work/study related, rather than financial. Although results support the general accuracy of self-reported semi/professional gambling status, measures are needed to help semi/professional gamblers distinguish whether their gambling is a problem or profession.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia. nerilee.hing@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nerilee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hing
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: Gambling Treatment Clinic and Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blaszczynski
authors.affiliation: Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Sally M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gainsbury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Internet gambling; Problem gambling; Professional gamblers; Self-identity; Self-image; Semi-professional gamblers