Expectations about how alcohol consumption influences gambling

ABSTRACT

Laboratory studies reveal that participants’ expectations influence the relation between acute alcohol consumption and gambling behaviors. However, specific expectations have not been explored. To fill this gap, people who gamble frequently were asked about their expectations for how alcohol influences their gambling behaviors. Individuals who gamble frequently (n = 472) were recruited via MTurk and completed a survey that included current gambling behaviors and alcohol expectancies while gambling. As many as 55% agreed to some extent that they were more focused, had skills increase, felt calmer, and won more when gambling under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, positive alcohol expectancies significantly predicted percentage of time spent simultaneously consuming alcohol and gambling. Several specific expectations were related to percentage of time gambling while drinking. Individuals who gamble weekly hold both positive and negative expectations about how alcohol consumption impacts gambling. Responsible gambling practices might target these expectations in efforts to educate consumers. Providing resources regarding the effects of acute alcohol use on gambling might curb both alcohol and gambling-related harms.

KEYWORDS:

• Gambling
• alcohol
• alcohol expectancies
• heavy drinking
• gambling disorder

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Notes on contributors

Tori L. Horn

Tori L. Horn is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at The University of Memphis working in The Institute for Gambling Education and Research. Her current research interests center on the effects of alcohol on gambling behavior and warning messages on gambling products.

Marcos Lerma

Marcos Lerma is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at The University of Memphis and a graduate assistant working at The Institute for Gambling Education and Research. His current research interests include assessing the intersectionality between gambling behaviors and social media.

Rory A. Pfund

Rory A. Pfund is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychology and the Clinic and Research Director of The Institute of Gambling Education and Research at the University of Memphis. His research focuses on understanding the effects of psychological treatments for gambling disorder. He is currently the co-investigator on a grant from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop a web-based portal to facilitate the initiation of gambling disorder treatment.

James P. Whelan

James P. Whelan is a University of Memphis Professor of Psychology and Director of The Institute for Gambling Education and Research. He leads the Institute’s initiative to develop a research center response for all living in the U.S. state of Tennessee – a project funded by Tennessee’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. His research spans prevention, assessment, and treatment of gambling disorder.