Key Findings from the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort (MAGIC) Study

Session Title

Session 2-4-A: Predicting Problem Gambling

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

24-5-2023 3:30 PM

End Date

24-5-2023 5:00 PM

Disciplines

Epidemiology | Public Health

Abstract

Presentation abstract:

This presentation reports on findings from the first major cohort study of gambling in the United States. The cohort was established with a stratified sample of 3,139 respondents who completed a multi-mode probability sample survey conducted in 2013/2014 with adult Massachusetts residents. Four additional Waves occurred between 2015 – 2019. Comprehensive assessment of all variables of potential etiological relevance were collected in all Waves.

Key findings from MAGIC fall into three areas. First, the opening of casinos in Massachusetts led to increases in casino gambling participation within the state as well as increased rates of relapse among individuals with a prior history of gambling problems. Second, problem gambling status tended to be quite unstable with individuals moving into and out of experiencing gambling problems quite frequently (i.e., very high rates of both recovery and relapse). The main focus of the presentation will be on the predictors of problem gambling which were examined both cross-sectionally (within the same wave of the study) and lagged (predicting problem gambling in the following wave). Consistent predictors across both types of analysis and involving problem gambling as both a categorical and continuous variable were identified.

Implications statement:

Implications of MAGIC for prevention include the need for targeted educational efforts to promote responsible gambling. Implications for treatment include the importance of screening for problem gambling among people seeking help for other mental health problems. Implications for recovery include advertising restrictions and limiting gambling opportunities in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods.

Keywords

Problem gambling, prevention and treatment, cohort study, longitudinal research

Author Bios

Dr. Rachel Volberg has been involved in research on gambling and problem gambling since 1985. She has directed or consulted on numerous studies internationally, published extensively, and advised governments and private sector organizations on issues relating to gambling legalization, the epidemiology of problem gambling and public policy approaches to developing and refining services for problem gamblers and their families. Dr. Volberg is presently a Research Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Dr. Robert Williams is a clinical psychologist by training. In 2001 he joined the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Williams is widely published and is one of the world’s leading authorities in the areas of prevention of problem gambling, the etiology of problem gambling, online gambling, the socioeconomic impacts of gambling, the prevalence and nature of gambling in Indigenous communities, and best practices in the population assessment of problem gambling.

Funding Sources

Funding for this study was provided by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The Commission was not involved in development of the research questions, methodological design, conduct of the research or analysis of the results.

Competing Interests

The authors do not have any competing interests over the last three years to declare.

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May 24th, 3:30 PM May 24th, 5:00 PM

Key Findings from the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort (MAGIC) Study

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Presentation abstract:

This presentation reports on findings from the first major cohort study of gambling in the United States. The cohort was established with a stratified sample of 3,139 respondents who completed a multi-mode probability sample survey conducted in 2013/2014 with adult Massachusetts residents. Four additional Waves occurred between 2015 – 2019. Comprehensive assessment of all variables of potential etiological relevance were collected in all Waves.

Key findings from MAGIC fall into three areas. First, the opening of casinos in Massachusetts led to increases in casino gambling participation within the state as well as increased rates of relapse among individuals with a prior history of gambling problems. Second, problem gambling status tended to be quite unstable with individuals moving into and out of experiencing gambling problems quite frequently (i.e., very high rates of both recovery and relapse). The main focus of the presentation will be on the predictors of problem gambling which were examined both cross-sectionally (within the same wave of the study) and lagged (predicting problem gambling in the following wave). Consistent predictors across both types of analysis and involving problem gambling as both a categorical and continuous variable were identified.

Implications statement:

Implications of MAGIC for prevention include the need for targeted educational efforts to promote responsible gambling. Implications for treatment include the importance of screening for problem gambling among people seeking help for other mental health problems. Implications for recovery include advertising restrictions and limiting gambling opportunities in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods.