Cognitive Distortions, Anxiety, and Depression Among Regular and Pathological Gambling Online Poker Players

Abstract

The aims were to assess cognitive distortions and psychological distress (anxiety and depression) among online poker players of different levels of gambling intensity (non-pathological gamblers [NPG], problem gamblers [PbG], and pathological gamblers [PG]), and to examine the relationship between these variables and gambling pathology. Overall, 245 regular online poker players recruited on an Internet forum completed online self-report scales assessing pathological gambling (South Oaks Gambling Screen [SOGS]), psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) and cognitive distortions (Gambling-Related Cognition Scale). Based on their SOGS scores, poker players were ranked into three groups: NPG (n=146), PbG (n=55), and PG (n=44). All poker players appeared to be more anxious than depressive. PG exhibited higher levels of depression and anxiety than did PbG and NPG. Cognitive distortions also significantly discriminated PG from PbG and NPG. A regression model showed that the perceived inability to stop gambling, the illusion of control, depression (HADS D), and anxiety were good predictors for pathological gambling among poker players. Our results suggest that cognitive distortions play an important role in the development and maintenance of gambling pathology. This study also underlines the role of anxiety and depression in pathological gambling among poker players. It seems relevant to take these elements into account in the research, prevention, and treatment of pathological gambling poker players.

Poker players with experience and skill are not “ill” – Exposing a discrepancy in measures of problem gambling

“…Langer 1975). Particularly in online poker, problem gambling has also repeatedly been shown to be linked to impulsivity (Barrault and Varescon 2013b;Hopley et al 2012;Hopley and Nicki 2010), negative emotionality (Hopley et al 2012;Smith et al 2012), and, more generally, negative mood states such as anxiety and depression (Barrault and Varescon 2013a;Wood et al 2007). Furthermore, Kairouz et al (2012) found that playing online poker was positively associated with problem gambling, overspending and debt, problems with university studies and interpersonal relationships, and illicit drug use.…”

Identifying risk and mitigating gambling-related harm in online poker

“…However, it must be noted that relatively little is known or understood about potential cognitive biases in poker (Linnet et al, 2012), or indeed which factors are predictive of problem gambling within poker (Barrault & Varescon, 2013). Exploratory research suggests that illusion of control may be a predictive of disordered poker gambling (Barrault & Varescon, 2013), and despite the high skill--6 content of poker appearing to be a protective factor against harm, many skill--based gamblers over--estimate their probability of winning (Cantinotti et al, 2004).…”

“…Exploratory research suggests that illusion of control may be a predictive of disordered poker gambling (Barrault & Varescon, 2013), and despite the high skill--6 content of poker appearing to be a protective factor against harm, many skill--based gamblers over--estimate their probability of winning (Cantinotti et al, 2004). It is reasonable to conclude that the skill--content of poker may provide an opportunity to rationalise engagement in pleasurable risk behaviour despite, in reality, experiencing gambling--related harm (Parke & Griffiths, 2011).…”

“…Impulsivity is believed to be a core predictor of problem gambling within poker gambling (Barrault & Varescon, 2013;Laakusuo et al, 2014). It is evident from predictive modelling that online poker players that have high variation and frequency in betting, indicative of emotionally--based gambling, are more likely to self--exclude which is considered by some as a reliable proxy for problem gambling (Braverman & Shaffer, 2012) (I now have data from Unibet showing otherwise which is why I've added 'by some as').…”

“…Conversely, evidence shows that 'safe' poker gambling is dependent upon being able to incur losses and yet retaining emotional self--regulation Palomaki et al, 2014;Williams et al, 2011). Therefore, when considering the primary source of risk in poker gambling, emphasis must be placed on minimising the likelihood of a customer tilting and maintaining composed control of both emotional reaction to gambling outcomes and betting behaviour (Barrault & Varescon, 2013). Palomaki et al (2013) proposed developing players' understanding of probability, and that fundamentally loss and bad beats are normal and to be occasionally expected.…”