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Gambling in adolescents and young persons from the Comarca del Río Mula, Region of Murcia

Abstract:

Objective: to determine the prevalence of gambling and betting activities among young persons and adolescents enrolled in public centres from the Comarca del Río Mula of the Region of Murcia, Spain. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between October and November 2020. The study population consisted of 494 students from public secondary schools (13 to 25 years old). Sociodemographic and academic variables were measured, as well as substance use, games of chance used, reasons for gambling [GMQ questionnaire (positive emotions, coping with stress, social causes)] and gambling problems [SOGS-RA scale (not gamblers or non-problem; at risk; gambling problem)]. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results: the study included 147 students (65.3% female; 82.3% from 13 to 18 years old). Of these, 37.7% had gambled at some point; the most frequent games were lotteries, betting games and scratch cards (32.7%), and bingo (19.7%). Online gambling was ≤ 3.4%. The reason for gambling with the highest mean value was the search for positive emotions (X¯= 5.48 over 15 scores). According to the SOGS-RA scale, 3.4% were gamblers at risk and 2.1% had gambling problems. A higher proportion of problems or risk of problems with gambling was found in men and in those using recreational substances. Conclusion: a high proportion of adolescents and young persons have started gambling, and part of them are at risk or have developed a gambling problem. There is access to gambling regardless of the legal prohibition. It is necessary to act upon these problems.