High Recreational Gamblers Show Increased Stimulatory Effects of an Acute Laboratory Gambling Challenge

Overview

Journal J Gambl Stud

Date 2020 May 15

PMID 32406011

Citations 1

Authors

L Miller

A Soderpalm Gordh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Gambling in moderation is a socially acceptable behavior and over 60% of the Swedish population gambles every year. It has been seen that slot machines are one of the most addictive and problematic forms of gambling and contribute highly to an addictive behavior. It is unclear why some individuals intensify their gambling behavior over time to extreme levels while others do not. Initial positive response of a drug or as in this case a gambling behavior, most likely influences the likelihood of continuing use in non-addicted individuals. Therefore, we wanted to investigate if recreational gamblers show an altered subjective response to an online gambling challenge, e.g. to casino gambling. The present study was designed to examine the subjective effects after an acute gambling challenge, in healthy recreational gamblers compared with non-gamblers. Eighty-two subjects participated in the study. They were challenged with an acute online slot machine gambling challenge and self-report questionnaires of mood and blood pressure were taken before and after gambling. The gamblers, and more specifically the high recreational gamblers, reported increased stimulative effects after the gambling challenge in comparison to the non-gamblers. Findings suggests that gamblers experience significantly higher arousal effects to an acute online slot machine challenge. This response may be a uniquely predictive behavior for increased risk of gambling addiction.

Citing Articles

Subjective and Cardiovascular Responses to an Acute Laboratory Gambling Task in Men and Women.

Miller L, Soderpalm Gordh A Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:702298.

PMID: 35733803 PMC: 9207275. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.702298.

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