Connecting Gambling and Risk Activity Erin Gibbs Van

Connecting Gambling and Risk Activity Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot Alberta Gaming Research Institute Annual Conference Banff Centre April 9 -10, 2010

Risk Activity: A Range of Behaviours

What is risk behaviour? Behaviour that is associated with potential negative (loss) or potential positive (gain) outcomes Common use of risk – negative behaviour, negative characteristic or negative outcome “risky”, “at-risk”, “high-risk” The nature or type of losses or gains may vary: social, political, economic, etc. Degrees of losses or gains may vary

What is Gambling? 1. To bet on an uncertain outcome. 2. To play a game of chance for stakes: to stake something on a contingency – take a chance. 3. To anticipate an advantage or a benefit in unknown or unpredictable circumstances.

Overview – Gambling and Risk Behaviour: 1) Risk factors 2) Gambling and “the big four”: alcohol, smoking, drugs and suicidal behaviour 3) Explaining risk behaviour 4) Gradients of risk behaviour

Connecting Gambling and Risk Behaviour: Precursor Structural (Gambling or) Risk Activity Aftermath • laws, regulations and enforcement • opportunities Risk Perception Individual • “risk factors” versus “protective factors” • ‘signs’ of problems • “risk taking” • “risk behaviours” (comorbidities) • general problem behaviour • consequences and nonconsequences • losses and gains

1. “Risk Factors” What are “risk factors”? Characteristics or qualities that increase the likelihood of particular negative outcomes: �Age �Sex �Economic status �Family background

Risk Continuum… Low-Risk Activity Degree of harm: Not harmful/ Not problematic At-Risk Activity High-risk/ Problem Activity Harmful/ Problematic

smoking suicidal behaviour drug use drinking 2. The “Big Four”

3. Explaining risk behaviour Sociological explanations: Opportunity Differential association Lifestyle/exposure Anomie Symbolic interactionism Psychological explanations: Impulsivity, self-control and sensation-seeking Addiction Pathology

4. Risk Gradients a spectrum…

Risk Continuum… Low-Risk Activity Degree of harm: Not harmful/ Not problematic At-Risk Activity High-risk/ Problem Activity Harmful/ Problematic

Conclusions There are positive aspects to risk (and gambling) activity There many potential pathways to participation in risk activity The pathways depend on demographic characteristics, experience, and structural factors