The Prevalence of E-Gambling and of Problem E-Gambling in Poland

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jan 8;17(2):404. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17020404.

Abstract

This study estimated the levels of involvement in e-gambling and problem e-gambling in Poland and identified selected sociodemographic variables associated with e-gambling activities. The study was conducted using a representative sample of the adult inhabitants of Poland (n = 2000). The survey contained questions measuring three aspects of gambling (involvement in e-gambling, types of e-gambling activity, and problematic e-gambling). Results suggested that 4.1% of respondents were involved in e-gambling and 26.8% of them could be classified as problem gamblers. The most popular e-gambling games were lotteries and sports betting. Gender, age, size of city of residence, level of education, and income were identified as significant predictors of involvement in e-gambling. The results indicated that men, younger people, and people who earnt less were more often involved in e-gambling. Having children, playing online scratch cards, and online sport betting-but not online lotteries-turned out to be typical for problem online gamblers. The prevalence of problem gambling among Polish e-gamblers suggests that extended research in this area is needed.

Keywords: e-gambling; e-gambling prevalence; forms of e-gambling; problem e-gambling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gambling / epidemiology*
  • Games, Recreational
  • Humans
  • Internet / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires