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Cited by 244Gambling Behavior and TreatmentsSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesObsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Rapid Onset of Pathological Gambling in Machine Gamblers

Breen, Robert B., Zimmerman, Mark·2002·Journal of Gambling Studies
DOI 10.1023/a:1014580112648
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Abstract

A particularly rapid onset of pathological gambling (PG-onset) through the use of gambling machines has been widely alluded to, but this is the first study to empirically examine the phenomenon. This study compared the latency of PG-onset in those who gambled primarily on machines, compared to those who gambled primarily on more "traditional" forms of gambling at PG-onset. Subjects were 44 adult pathological gamblers (PGs) seeking outpatient treatment in Rhode Island (17 females; mean age = 46.9). Subjects completed questionnaires and a diagnostic interview including a complete history of gambling activities and the course of PG. The "latency" of PG-onset was defined as the time (in years) elapsed between the age of regular involvement in the primary form of gambling and the age at which DSM-IV criteria were first met. "Machine" PGs (n = 25) had a significantly shorter latency of onset than did "traditional" PGs (1.08 years vs. 3.58 years). Females and machine PGs had a significantly older age of onset, but gender was not associated with latency of PG-onset. Lifetime comorbidity of either substance use disorders (SUDS) or depressive disorders (DDS) was also not associated with the latency of PG-onset. The results of the current study suggest that intrapersonal variables such as gender and comorbid disorders do not generally affect the speed with which people develop PG. Rather, the social, environmental, and stimulus features of mechanized gambling are implicated. Prospective…

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  • Some design elements that addict users to internet platforms were originally developed by engineers who drew on behavioral psychology to keep gamblers seated before electronic gambling machines (EGMs).

    “Some of the design elements that addict users to internet platforms were originally developed by engineers who drew on behavioral psychology to keep gamblers seated before the computerized slot machine monitors (electronic gambling machines or EGMs) that have largely replaced other forms of gambling in casinos (Abbott, 2017; Breen & Zimmerman, 2002; Schüll, 2014).”

    From Ethics of the Attention Economy: The Problem of Social Media Addiction (2021) · cites this paper as Breen & Zimmerman, 2002

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Authors
Breen, R. B., & Zimmerman, M.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
Corresponding author
Breen, Robert B.
ORCID
Zimmerman, Mark
Venue
Journal of Gambling Studies
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2002-03
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
31-43
ISSN
  • 1050-5350 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3602
DOI
10.1023/a:1014580112648
OpenAlex
W1484083998
Cited by
243
References
18
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 22
FWCI
5.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Gambling Studies (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Gambling Behavior and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Keywords
gambling addiction, gambling machines, rapid onset, gender differences, substance use disorders, depressive disorders, comorbidities, age of onset
MeSH terms
Adult, Depression, Equipment Design, Female, Gambling, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Time Factors, Comorbidity, Disease Progression, Substance-Related Disorders

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