Learning to gamble in changing sociocultural contexts: experiences of Finnish casual gamblers

Matilainen, Riitta; Raento, Pauliina

doi:10.1080/14459795.2014.923484

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In an interview study by Svensson (2011), the theme Gambling -lifestyle and identity encompassed the relevant subtheme Electronic and virtual friends, where the author stated that the participants 'gambling seems to be influenced by their search for belonging and fellowship'. Under the theme Rituals of belonging and self-determination, Matilainen and Raento (2014) noted how the studied narratives reflected feelings of togetherness, belonging. Kristiansen et al (2015) also mentioned maintaining a sense of belonging to a social community under the theme Peer groups, and feelings of community under the theme Family, in their results.…”

Section: Psychosocial Phenomena With a Limited Evidence Base In Nordimentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of psychosocial risks for gambling and problem gambling in the Nordic countries

Nordmyr

Forsman

2020

Health, Risk & Society

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Gambling is a relatively common activity in the Nordic countries, while the incidence and prevalence of problem gambling is relatively stable in this context. Social networks and relationships (e.g., gambling activities among family members and peers) have been put forward as relevant factors to consider when monitoring the epidemiological pathways in regard to gambling and problem gambling. The research on gambling and functional or qualitative aspect of networks and relationships (here labelled psychosocial factors), is however an important emerging area, warranting a synthesis of the evidence. We systematically reviewed the evidence on psychosocial risk factors in relation to gambling and problem gambling in Nordic gambling research. Included articles were identified through systematic searches in 10 scientific databases, covering the time period January 2000-July 2019. Following a systematic screening procedure, the final data set consisted of 21 original studies applying various statistical, interview or narrative methods. The review highlights both less researched psychosocial phenomena and also synthesises the evidence on the most commonly featured psychosocial factors in the included publications-loneliness and social support-evidencing conflicting findings in relation to gambling activities and problem gambling. Although few studies carried evidence to corroborate causal inferences, the risk factors and related epidemiological pathways we identify highlight focal areas that should be considered in both future prevention research and practice, broadening the arena for prevention strategies targeting new health challenges.

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Section: Psychosocial Phenomena With a Limited Evidence Base In Nordimentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of psychosocial risks for gambling and problem gambling in the Nordic countries

Nordmyr

Forsman

2020

Health, Risk & Society

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“…Cultural images of gambling can be defined as collective dispositions ( Gronow, 2011 ) or a “blueprint” of how to gamble and what kind of gambling is considered proper and right. Learning takes place in a certain time, environment and context (e.g., Matilainen & Raento, 2014 ; Reith & Dobbie, 2011 ) and involves rules and game mechanisms, but also knowledge regarding how to interact with other gamblers or personnel, and how to perform when winning or losing (e.g., Oldman, 1974 ; Reichertz, Niederbacher, Möll, Gothe, & Hitzler, 2010 ). Learning how to experience this “intoxication” and how to handle the risks of the behaviour corresponds to what Becker (1953) and Zinberg (1984) identified years ago as important skills in drug use.…”

Section: A Cultural Perspective On Gamblingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultures and spaces of convenience gambling

Egerer

Marionneau

2019

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

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Background: In many countries, the bulk of gambling takes place in convenience spaces in relatively confined, local markets. Nevertheless, research on gambling locations has so far concentrated on destination gambling in casinos. Aim: This article studies convenience gambling and distinguishes special (e.g., gambling arcades) from everyday convenience gambling spaces (e.g., electronic gambling machines in supermarkets). Rather than geographically or functionally analysing the harm potential of convenience gambling, we approach the issue through cultural theory. Method: We conducted reception analytical group interviews with Finnish and French gamblers. This method is based on focus-group discussions stimulated by six short film clips. Our data consisted of 14 Finnish and 14 French groups, altogether 110 participants. The interviews were analysed thematically on the basis of the types of discourses the participants evoked. Results: The Finnish respondents discussed how their gambling culture was embedded in their everyday lives. They saw it as a harmless pastime if the sums used were small and otherwise unbudgeted. The French informants instead strongly connected gambling with the casino and were suspicious of the easy, cheap availability of convenience gambling. They also differentiated between exceptional and mundane spaces of convenience gambling, which the interviewed Finnish gamblers did not. Conclusions: Social or cultural availability is not only a matter of access; it also influences gamblers after they have entered the gambling venue. Structural characteristics interact with the gambler and the setting, but they are also mediated by the cultural context.

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“…Historically, the legal gambling age in Finland has been low and not effectively enforced (see Jaakkola, 2009;Matilainen & Raento, 2014). After 1976, the minimum legal age for slot machine gambling for some decades was 15 years.…”

Section: Enforcement Of Legal Age Limits In the Finnish Gambling Monomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gambling was not viewed as an important public health or social policy issue in Finland before the turn of the new millennium (Tammi, 2014;Tammi, Castrén, & Lintonen, 2015). The late adoption of a more restrictive age-limit policy was probably linked to the fact that gambling was widely accepted as a leisure time activity which was loosely regulated (see Matilainen & Raento, 2014). New standards were also implemented for the location of slot machines: direct visual contact was required from the retail desk and specific marks on the floor were to highlight the gambling area and the new age limit.…”

Section: Enforcement Of Legal Age Limits In the Finnish Gambling Monomentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Minors' Gambling on Slot Machines in Finland after the Raising of the Minimum Legal Gambling Age from 15 to 18 Years: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Raisamo

Warpenius²,

Rimpelä³

2015

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

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Aim The legal gambling age in Finland was raised from 15 to 18 years in 2010, but slot machines were given a transition period that ended with the full law coming into effect on 1 July 2011. The widespread accessibility of slot machines and their popularity among youth led us to consider how age limit was enforced in the Finnish gambling monopoly system and to analyse how underage gambling on slot machines changed after the raising of the minimum age. Methods Two nationwide cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2013 (12–18-year-olds; N=8101; average response rate 42%). The main measure was self-reported six-month prevalence of slot machine use overall and by venue (shops; kiosks; petrol stations; restaurants/cafés; ship travels to Sweden/Estonia; other). Changes from 2011 to 2013 were tested by using the χ2 tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. As a reference group only, 18-year-olds were analysed, as they were of legal age to gamble. Results The six-month prevalence of slot machine use among 12–16-year-olds declined from 44% in 2011 to 13% in 2013 (p <.001). The decline was the most pronounced in shops. A significant interaction was found between age and survey year; slot machine use declined more sharply among 16-year-olds than among those aged 14 or 12. Conclusions These findings suggest that raising the legal age limit from 15 to 18 years significantly decreased the prevalence of slot machine use among minors, even in a policy context where the general availability of gambling products was not reduced.

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Learning to gamble in changing sociocultural contexts: experiences of Finnish casual gamblers

Cited by 12 publications

References 18 publications

A systematic review of psychosocial risks for gambling and problem gambling in the Nordic countries

A systematic review of psychosocial risks for gambling and problem gambling in the Nordic countries

Cultures and spaces of convenience gambling

Changes in Minors' Gambling on Slot Machines in Finland after the Raising of the Minimum Legal Gambling Age from 15 to 18 Years: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

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