Perspective of Internet Poker Players on Harm-Reduction Strategies: A Cross-Sectional Study

Patrycja Michalska, Anne Chatton, Louise Penzenstadler, Paweł Izdebski, Emilien Jeannot, Olivier Simon, Magali Dufour, Lucien Rochat, Suzanne Lischer and Yasser Khazaal
Additional contact information
Patrycja Michalska: Faculty of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-867 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Anne Chatton: Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Louise Penzenstadler: Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Paweł Izdebski: Faculty of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-867 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Emilien Jeannot: Institute of Global Health, Geneva University, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Olivier Simon: Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
Magali Dufour: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, CP 8888, Canada
Lucien Rochat: Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospital, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Suzanne Lischer: Institute for Social Management, Social Policy and Prevention, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, 6002 Lucerne, Switzerland
Yasser Khazaal: Faculty of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-867 Bydgoszcz, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Internet gambling may increase rates of gambling harm. This current study aimed to assess Internet poker players’ views on various harm-reduction (HR) strategies. It also examined differences in these views according to the games played (poker only vs. poker plus other gambling activities), indebtedness, and problem gambling severity. Methods: Internet poker players ( n = 311; 94.2% Male) recruited online between 2012 and 2014 were included in the analyses and completed a survey on indebtedness, problem gambling severity index, and ten statements regarding HR features. Results: Among the whole sample, the most frequently endorsed HR strategy was setting money limits, specialized online help, and peer support forums. People who play poker only (70%) are less prone to endorse the utility of information on excessive gambling and specialized healthcare centers. No differences were found between those people with debt versus those without regarding HR assessment. Participants with severe problem gambling were more skeptical about HR strategies based on information on specialized healthcare centers. Conclusion: Setting money limits, online help, and peer support forums are the most commonly endorsed strategies. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of online harm reduction strategies.

Keywords: online gambling; prevention strategies; responsible gambling; harm reduction; Internet gamblers; poker (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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