Chance- and skill-based dimensions underlying young Australians' gambling activities and their relationships with gambling problems and other factors

Abstract

Using data from computer-assisted telephone interviews with 1000 18- to 24-year old Australians, the structure underlying participation in 12 gambling activities was investigated. Factor analysis indicated that activities were differentiated into those that are chance-based, involve selecting a winner and involve individuals' skills. Gambling problems, assessed using a four-item factor, were related to participation in the two skill-based activity types. Males participated in these more than females. Age was positively related to participating in activities involving selecting a winner and negatively to those involving individuals' skills. Participation in activities associated with the three factors was differentially related to individual difference factors along with family and peer participation in, and support for, gambling. Together the results indicate that young Australians do not view gambling activities homogeneously and future research should focus on the predictors and outcomes of different types of gambling among this age group.

Keywords:

• gambling
• young adults
• Australia
• behaviour
• patterns

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Victorian (Australia) Department of Justice for funding this study as part of a larger research project through the Community Support Fund as part of round two of the Submission Based Grants System for Gambling Research – a commitment under Taking action on problem gambling: A strategy for combating problem gambling in Victoria, under Action Area 7: Fostering Gambling Research.