People’s early engagement or exposure to gambling starts throughout childhood and early adulthood. All these are often aligned with a familiar set of life events or milestones.
This has helped to “normalize” gambling 20Bet login to the point that gambling represents just another activity for normal playing audiences. However, it’s common for gamblers to have a skewed view of ‘normal’ behavior, often underestimating the extent of their activity.
The research found that people see problem gambling as being a binary category that they do not fit into, with it often being others who need help. Only 13% of respondents thought that they gambled more than most. They showed that most respondents think they gamble the same or less than others.
The eight typologies of gambling behaviors
The research created eight typologies that reflect the attitude and motivations towards a certain gambling occasion. The typologies apply to gambling occasions, not people, and therefore one person could fall into different typologies in different situations.
The eight typologies of gambling behaviors are:
- Social play: Gambling is something my friends and I love doing together, whether it’s having a friendly competition, adding more excitement to an event, or just for a bit of fun
- Wise decision: Gambling is a matter of skill and I’m confident in my ability to get it right, which is why I enjoy turning events into another opportunity to test my skills
- Me time: I love to play and indulge in a little ‘me time’, with the added reward of knowing I will probably come out lucky
- Just what I do: Gambling is just something I’ve been doing for a while, and I enjoy it as a little treat, regardless of whether I win or not
- Along for the ride: Gambling isn’t something I’m particularly interested in, it’s just a way I get to enjoy being with others, even if it means I will possibly end up out of pocket
- Money to burn: I’m just using up some leftover credit on a bit of a whim – nothing to lose!
- Feeling lucky: Sometimes those lucky chances come my way and I can’t help but take a gamble, especially if it gives me an opportunity to prove myself
- For the money: I don’t put much thought into gambling, I just like the idea of winning big even if it is a long shot.
Hot/cold states and binge gambling
The research found that gambling behavior can be a “cold state” where choices and play are considered. They are based on previous experience in a “hot state” where behavior and play can fluctuate. It is in this hot state, that people can sometimes experience an out-of-the-ordinary “gambling binge”.
People understood both the terminology of “binge” gambling and when, either themselves or others, have been in that moment. Everyone held an underlying intention to gamble responsibly. The impact of this does fluctuate with one in seven recognizing having had a ‘gambling binge’.