The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 6 (48) - HIV Risk Among Pathological and Non-Pathological Gambling Drug Users Part I - Adults

Many researchers consider pathological gambling to be an impulse disorder. Based on this, we might expect other impulsive behaviors to be prominent in populations of people who have gambling problems. This week’s WAGER explores this issue by reporting on a study that investigated HIV sexual risk among substance abusing problem and non-problem gamblers (Petry, 2000). Petry enrolled 134 individuals, recruited from newspaper advertisements and social service agencies, with lifetime histories of probable alcohol, cocaine, or heroin abuse. Substance abuse was considered to be at least a 1-year regular pattern of: (1) alcohol use to intoxication at least three times weekly;... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 6 (47) - Big Wins and Near Misses: Do winning patterns influence persistence?

Research has found that large wins early in a person’s gambling history are a risk factor for future problem gambling (Griffiths, 1995). But, do winning patterns influence individuals’ current gambling behaviors? Kassinove and Schare (2001) recently explored whether or not different patterns of winning influence the persistence with which people play slot machines. Specifically, the authors hypothesized that “big wins,” substantial paybacks early on in a gambling episode, and “near misses,” almost winning, motivate slot machine players to continue gambling. The Wager reports on findings concerning persistence at gambling following both big wins and near misses. A total of 180... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials - Nevada Legalizes Internet Gambling - Maybe

Professor I. Nelson Rose, Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, CA. Many Nevada casinos have decided that Internet gaming is not just going to go away. As with Indian gaming, they have abandoned years of wishful thinking, arguing for prohibition, and have finally adopted the position that the industry should be regulated. So, in June 2001 they persuaded the Nevada Legislature and Gov. Kenny Guinn to enact a law legalizing online casinos. The new law, Assembly Bill 466, is a typical piece of Nevada legislation. In Clark County (Las Vegas), the only establishment which can operate Internet gambling games is "a... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 6 (46) - Child Gamblers: The Development of Gambling Strategy

The Wager has reviewed studies that highlight youth gambling as a serious and important public health issue. Consistently, meta-analytic evaluation of prevalence studies suggests that gambling problems are quite common among youths (Shaffer, Hall, & Vanderbilt, 1999). The current Wager reports on a cross-sectional study that investigates development changes in children’s cognitive processing while gambling. Specifically, Herman, Gupta, & Derevensky (1998) explored developmental differences in the cognitions and heuristics (mental shortcuts) that children use when choosing lottery ticket numbers. The Wager focuses on children’s selection processes. With parental permission, 69 third graders, 50 fifth graders, and 48 seventh graders voluntarily... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 6 (45) - Look, But Don’t Touch: An Investigation Into Cue-Exposure, Response-Prevention Treatment

Ask seven addiction specialists to describe the best treatment for gambling addiction, and you might hear seven different answers. The diversity of thought regarding best practices for treatment highlights the importance of research focused on treatment outcomes. This week’s WAGER discusses a study that investigates the efficacy of cue-exposure and response-prevention as a treatment for problem gambling. Cue-Exposure, Response-Prevention assumes that reducing the strength of the association between triggers (i.e. seeing and hearing the slot machine) and urges to perform a behavior (i.e. gamble) will reduce the likelihood of that behavior being performed. The WAGER reviews the Symes and Nicki... Read more →