Login | Register

Internet Poker Gambling Among University Students: A Risky Endeavour or a Harmless Pastime?

Title:

Internet Poker Gambling Among University Students: A Risky Endeavour or a Harmless Pastime?

Mihaylova, Tsvetelina (2011) Internet Poker Gambling Among University Students: A Risky Endeavour or a Harmless Pastime? Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of Mihaylova_MA_F2011.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
Mihaylova_MA_F2011.pdf - Accepted Version
3MB

Abstract

Two recent phenomena have marked gambling on university campuses: an increase of Internet gambling and a surge of interest in poker (McComb & Hanson, 2009). Accompanying them, greater participation and problem gambling rates among university students have been observed (Griffiths & Barnes, 2008; Wood et al., 2007). This thesis aims to describe online poker gambling patterns and the associated risks among university students, and to determine if the Internet as a context is linked to a greater risk of problematic and excessive gambling engagement and related problems. It compares online to offline poker players. The sample (N=1,256) was drawn from the University Student Gambling Habit Survey 2008 (ENHJEU) conducted among undergraduate students in three universities and three affiliated schools in Montreal, Canada. The analyses revealed that compared to offline poker players online poker players were more likely to be male and born outside of Canada. Their gambling patterns also suggested greater gambling engagement. Online poker players were much more likely than offline poker players to be identified as problem gamblers and to report problems in various major life areas. Virtually no differences were found in co-occurring risky behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol and substance use between the two groups. The findings point to an increased risk for gambling and other problems associated with the Internet and poker gambling for university students. Discussed are potential reasons including the enabling nature of the Internet setting with respect to gambling, as well as the prevailing perception of poker as a skill-based gambling format.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Sociology and Anthropology
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Mihaylova, Tsvetelina
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Sociology
Date:6 September 2011
Thesis Supervisor(s):Kairouz, Sylvia and Simon, Bart
Keywords:online gambling, poker, university students, substance use
ID Code:35870
Deposited By: TSVETELINA MIHAYLOVA
Deposited On:21 Nov 2011 16:21
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:35
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top