Australian Teens and Poker: Gambling prevalence, influences and implications

Bond University Professor of Marketing Dr Sudhir Kale has investigated the prevalence, influences and implications that gambling and poker has on Victorian teenagers.

The study, conducted on behalf of the Victorian Department of Justice’s Office of Gaming and Racing, was funded through the Community Support Fund as part of round two of the Grants for Gambling Research program.

Based on an online survey of 2,000 respondents, Dr Kale researched teenagers’ motivations, the role of impulsivity and sensation-seeking, and age and gender demographics of teenagers who gamble and play poker.

The research has shown that the most pathological gamblers begin gambling when they are teenagers, or earlier.

“We now know that adolescent problem gamblers are at heightened risk of suicidal tendencies and are more likely to be involved in delinquent behaviour and crime. Their academic results and family relationships can also suffer,” he said.

Professor Kale said teenagers engaged in poker gambling were particularly at risk. Teenagers who played poker for money even once in their life, were three-and-a-half times more likely to develop a gambling problem.

Professor Kale said parents should try and always be aware of their teenager’s entertainment activities and be on the lookout for other signals of a potential gambling problem, including membership of online gambling clubs, falling grades, spending a lot of time online or constantly asking for money.

He said that cognitive behavioural therapy could be of significant advantage to poker players with a gambling problem.

Funding Sources

Community Support Fund as part of round two of the Grants for Gambling Research program.