International Student Gambling

International student gambling:

The role of acculturation, gambling cognitions and social circumstances

This research project examined well-being and gambling among international and domestic university students. Survey and focus group data was collected in 2009 and 2010 across three universities - Swinburne University and Deakin University in Victoria, and Bond University in Queensland. Over 1500 students responded to the survey, 826 domestic students and 750 internationals. We also conducted focus groups so we could talk to young people across a range of ethnic groups about their gambling.

Our findings indicated that about 5 percent of students (both domestic and international) were problem gamblers, a higher rate than among the general adult population We examined the relationships between acculturation stresses for international students, and the regular stresses of attending university and moving from adolescence to adulthood, and showed how these stresses can sometimes relate to excessive gambling. An important finding was that some young people hold erroneous beliefs about luck and their ability or likelihood of winning at gambling. Holding such views is associated with a greater chance of becoming a problem gambler.

Problem Gambling Vulnerability

Problem gambling vulnerability:

The interaction between access, individual cognitions and group beliefs/preferences

This study included a survey of 303 gamblers (oversampling for problem gamblers) and focus group interviews with 38 gamblers, including social, problem and recovered problem gamblers. Findings revealed that people are more likely to gamble if gambling venues are located near to where they live, work or shop. But it was also interesting to find that gambling accessibility is multidimensional: gamblers judge whether a gambling product is easy to access not just on geographical grounds (whether a venue is close by) but also on factors such as opening hours, whether a venue feels socially comfortable, what games and other activities the venue offers and, particularly for problem gamblers, whether this is a place where they feel they can get away from the worries of everyday life.

Another key finding was that many gamblers employ self regulation strategies to control their own gambling. They do things like pre-set a budget for gambling, separate their stakes from their winnings, remind themselves about the negative consequences of excessive gambling, avoid gambling alone and limit their alcohol intake while gambling. These strategies are particularly important for those who worry about their gambling and are trying to cut back.

Conferences

Conference Presentations

Thomas, A.C. (2010). Stress and gambling in international students studying in Australia. Paper presented at the 20th National Association for Gambling Studies Conference, Gold Coast, December 2010.

Thomas, A.C. (2010). Know when to walk away... A multi-methodological examination of self-regulation strategies. Paper presented at the 8th European conference on gambling studies and policy issues, Vienna, September 2010.

Thomas, A.C. (2010). Stress, adaptation, social support and gambling motivation: Predicting gambling problems among international and domestic students. Paper presented as part of a Gambling Symposium at the 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology, July 2010.

Thomas, A.C., (2010). International students, stressors and problem gambling: A comparison of cultural groups. Paper presented at the Diversity in Health Conference, Melbourne, June 2010. View Presentation

Thomas, A.C., (2009). EGM gambling venues: Consideration of the difference between local venues and the casino. Paper presented at the 19th Annual National Association of Gambling Studies Conference, November 2009.

Thomas, A.C., Moore, S., Kyrios, M., Bates, G., & Meredyth, D. (2009). What attracts people to gambling venues? Deconstructing access. Paper presented at the 14th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA, May 2009.

Thomas, A.C., Allen, F., & Phillips, J. (2009). Electronic gaming machine gambling: The importance of escape and accessibility at gambling motivators. Invited presentation as recipient of the National Association of Gambling Studies student prize (2008), at the 14th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA, May 2009.

Thomas, A.C., Allen, F., & Phillips, J. (2008). Electronic gaming machine gambling: The importance of escape and accessibility at gambling motivators. Paper presented at the 18th Annual Conference of the National Association for Gambling Studies, Adelaide, Australia, December 2008.

Moore, S., Thomas, A.C., Kyrios, M., Bates, G., & Meredyth, D. (2008). Gambling access preferences for at-risk and social gamblers. Paper presented at the 2008 18th Annual Conference of the National Association for Gambling Studies, Adelaide, Australia, December 2008.

Kyrios, M., Thomas, A.C., Moore, S., Bates, G. & Meredyth, D. (2008). Problem gambling: Initial attraction and control strategies as explanatory factors. Paper presented at the 2nd Asian Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Conference, Bangkok, October 2008.

Thomas, A.C., Sullivan, G.B., & Allen, F.C.L. (2008). Addiction: The importance of both overarching and specific factors. Poster presented at The International Addiction Summit, Melbourne, July 2008.

Thomas, A.C., Allen, F., Sullivan, G. & Phillips, J. (2006). Electronic gambling machine problem gambling: A theoretical model. Paper delivered at the 16th National Association for Gambling Studies Conference, Sydney, Australia, November 2006.

Other

Other Presentations

Thomas, A.C., (2011). Presentation of findings from the Swinburne University of Technology's project into international students and gambling at the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre. Gambling in international students studying in Australia, July 2011.

Thomas, A.C. (2011). Presentation of findings from the Swinburne University of Technology Accessibility in gambling project at the Victorian Government's Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. "Know when to walk away..." A multi-methodological examination of self-regulation strategies. May 2011.

Thomas, A.C. (2010). Presentation of findings from the Swinburne University of Technology Accessibility in Gambling project at the Victorian Government's Responsible Gambling Awareness Week. Know when to walk away... A look at gamblers self-regulation of play, May 2010.