Differences in gambling addiction and substance use between people who gamble in illegal and legal settings in Israel

• In Event: Addiction, substance abuse and their effects

Abstract

Little is known about people who gamble in illegal settings, and the extent of differences in gambling behavior between legal and illegal gamblers is unclear. The present study examines the characteristics of illegal gamblers and whether they engage in more frequent and severe gambling behaviors and demonstrate greater motivation for gambling and illegal substance use than legal gamblers.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey recruited 1,251 people who reported having participated in gambling in the preceding year, of whom 13% (N=161) reported having participated in illegal gambling.
Results: The study revealed significant differences in gambling behaviors between people who gamble in legal and illegal settings in almost all outcomes examined. People who reported having participated in illegal gambling reported more frequent participation in almost all types of legal gambling, more types of “multi-bets,” more severe and high-risk gambling behaviors, higher motivations to gamble, and more illegal substance use than participants in legal gambling.
Conclusion
Current gambling policy in Israel is sparse. It focuses on legal gambling and on individuals addicted to gambling. Almost no consideration is given to illegal gambling. A comprehensive gambling policy is needed in Israel, which would address illegal gambling as well, mostly with respect to harm reduction, treatment, and rehabilitation policies.

Author

• Hagit Bonny-Noach, Head of Addiction Research Lab, Department of Criminology, Ariel University & Board Member of ILSAM- The Israeli Society of Addiction Medicine