The Internet of problem gambling: A mixed-methods study of the role of Internet-enabled risk factors among Finnish adults

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined various ways Internet-enabled factors may contribute to problem gambling. A four-wave longitudinal survey was collected at 6-month intervals from Finnish adults (N = 1530). Fixed-effects regression analyses were based on all available data across the four waves (n = 4827 observations). Semi-structured interviews (N = 18) included recovering problem gamblers. Quantitative analyses showed different forms of online gambling, participation in gambling communities online, and instant loans associated with increased problem gambling. Qualitative analyses revealed that gamblers were drawn to gambling sites through an online ecosystem including complex social and monetary incentive structures and sought instant loans through dedicated websites to continue gambling. Together, the results show that gamblers’ problems have deepened and become more multifaceted due to online environments. The online realm enables gambling through ubiquitous opportunity, targeted marketing, social influence, and access to gambling credit, although it also offers information and peer support groups to help gamblers abstain.