Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Antonio Rial1, Javier Mora-Salgueiro1, Sandra Feijóo1, David Liñares1 and Teresa Braña1
1 University of Santiago de Compostela
Background: Underage gambling is a widespread phenomenon with its own characteristics that differentiate it from adult gambling. In addition, problem gambling has shown a remarkable prevalence in previous studies. The present study examines underage gambling behaviour, studying its characteristics, as well as motivational and contextual aspects, and estimating the volume of problem gambling and possible moderating variables. Method: A sample of 9,681 students aged between 12 and 17 years old reported their involvement in gambling and filled in the Brief Adolescent Gambling Screen (BAGS), with 4,617 of them completing a questionnaire about gambling behaviours. Results: Almost a quarter (23.5%) of the students reported having gambled in their lifetime (16.2% in-person, 1.4% online and 6% in both modalities), and 1.9% presented symptoms of problem gambling (BAGS ≥ 4). In-person gamblers preferred sport-betting machines, usually gambled in bars, and did not have their age checked. Online gamblers reported mainly sports betting, doing so on websites and paying with PayPal-like services and credit cards. Most gambled with friends and to win money. Problem gamblers were similar but gambled more frequently. Conclusions: These results present an image of the gambling situation among minors and, more importantly, of its context and related variables.
Antecedentes: La participación de menores de edad en juegos de azar es un fenómeno extendido con características diferenciales respecto a las personas adultas y muestra una elevada prevalencia. El presente estudio examina la conducta de juego en menores, estudiando sus características, aspectos motivacionales y contextuales, el volumen de juego problemático y las posibles variables moderadoras. Método: La muestra está compuesta por 9.681 estudiantes de 12 a 17 años que cumplimentaron el Brief Adolescent Gambling Screen (BAGS), 4.617 adolescentes completaron además un cuestionario sobre hábitos. Resultados: El 23,5% ha apostado alguna vez en su vida (presencial: 16,2%; online: 1,4%; ambas: 6%) y el 1,9% presenta síntomas de juego problemático (BAGS≥4). Quienes juegan presencialmente prefieren las máquinas de apuestas deportivas; suelen apostar en bares y generalmente sin acreditar su edad. Quienes juegan online principalmente hacen apuestas deportivas, a través de páginas web y pagan con servicios tipo PayPal y tarjetas de crédito. Suelen apostar con amigos y para ganar dinero, aunque mayoritariamente reconocen que es poco probable que esto llegue a ocurrir. Los/as jugadores/as problemáticos muestran características similares, pero apuestan con mayor frecuencia. Conclusiones: Estos resultados muestran la situación del juego en menores y permite determinar sus variables contextuales relacionadas.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2022.238