Problem gambling severity in a nationally representative sample of the Israeli population: the moderating role of ethnonational affiliation

Abstract

IntroductionGambling is a public health concern. Problem gambling is related to a range of psycho-social risk factors including ethnonational affiliation. Israel is an insightful case to probe problem gambling, given the socio-economic marginalization of Israeli Arabs, the continued exposure of Israelis to stress and the conservative Israeli gambling market. This study aimed to estimate problem gambling severity in Israeli society, characterize the sociodemographic, environmental, mental health, and gambling-related risk factors associated with problem gambling severity, and examine the role of ethnonational affiliation (Israeli Jewish/Arab) as a moderating factor in the associations between these risk factors and problem gambling severity.MethodsA cross-sectional study based on a representative sample of 3,244 Israelis was conducted in 2022, of whom 1,626 had gambled in the previous year. Measurements included Problem Gambling Severity Index, Gambling Behaviors, Perceived Neighborhood Cohesion, Stress, the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and sociodemographic variables.ResultsLow-risk, moderate-risk and problem gambling were reported by 16.7% of the total sample. The main risk factors for problem gambling were being an Israeli Arab, traditional, residing in a low socio-economic cluster, reporting anxiety symptoms, and higher gambling behaviors, specifically in legal/illegal online gambling. Ethnonational affiliation (Israeli Jewish/Arab) moderated the associations between gambling, illegal online gambling, and problem gambling severity. Higher neighborhood cohesion emerged as a risk factor for problem gambling solely for Israeli Arabs.DiscussionAs an excluded minority, Israeli Arabs may turn to gambling as a method to access the core republican community, thus, exposing themselves to a higher risk of developing problem gambling.

The Dual Burden of Emerging Adulthood: Assessing Gambling Severity, Gambling-Related Harm, and Mental Health Challenges

“…This study is part of a broader research project on gambling behaviors in Israeli adults [ 31 ]. The participants were recruited through a web-based survey institution that provided a representative random sample of the Israeli population.…”

“…The panel included a stratum for the Jewish population and a stratum for the Arab population, thus reflecting Israel’s ethnonational stratification. More details about the sample are described elsewhere [ 31 ].…”

“…The most widely used scale to measure problem gambling in population surveys is the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) [ 29 ]. This scale has been used in numerous epidemiological studies worldwide, e.g., [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], and on emerging adults, e.g., [ 34 , 35 ]. Recent calls have been made to measure gambling-related harms in addition to PGSI to achieve a more comprehensive picture of public health in the field of gambling [ 36 ].…”

Severity of gambling behaviors: exploring associations with venues, legality, and substance use

“…Notably, this figure increases to 7% when considering only those who reported engaging in gambling activities within the past year [ 16 ]. However, these surveys are considered grey literature and are accessible on the National Lottery website and have not undergone peer-reviewed journal publication to date [ 17 ]. In another recent study among a representative sample of the Israeli population, 6.3% were categorized as moderate-risk and problem gamblers.…”

“…In another recent study among a representative sample of the Israeli population, 6.3% were categorized as moderate-risk and problem gamblers. Notably, among those who reported engaging in gambling within the past year, the percentage of moderate-risk and problem gamblers increased to 12.8% [ 17 ].…”