Tagged With "Gambling Research Exchange Ontario"
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OLG Modernization Under Way
The below release came out May 1, but I thought I'd get the thread for this new COI going by re-stating it! Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has signed a 20-year Casino Operating and Services Agreement (COSA) with Ontario Gaming West GTA LP (OGWGLP) for the West GTA Gaming Bundle. The West GTA Gaming Bundle is the sixth Gaming Bundle to transition to a service provider in Ontario. It is the latest step in OLG’s land-based gaming modernization. To learn more about this transition...
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Blog: A Health Communication Campaign to Address Gambling Among College Students
A new blog released on Learn.ProblemGambling.ca discusses a research study on the use of health communication posters to raise awareness about gambling among college students. The piece was written by Aaron Diehr, PhD, CHES, Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Public Health at Southern Illinois University and Marilyn Rule, MSW, Problem Gambling Program Director at Zepf Center in Toledo, Ohio. Read the blog here . Read the research article published in the...
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Internet and gaming addiction – New research
The link below provides a brief summary and overview of some of the latest research on internet gaming disorder and other internet-related addiction problems as well as links to the publications. It poses the question: " Should we be worried about the fact that most of us are constantly connected? " How we work, meet friends, shop, buy groceries, pay bills and even how we seek medical help can be done from the comfort of our couch. What do you think, are you worried about this? Internet and...
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New research - link between between insecure attachment styles and problem gambling
The article below tested the link between insecure attachment styles and gambling issues in a sample of Ontario adults with a mood disorder. To read the full article, please visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460317304276#bb0295 Sample: Adults (N = 275) diagnosed with a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder) within the past 10 years Results: Individuals with anxious attachment styles had higher levels of depression symptoms. This predicted motivations to...
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Sports Bettors: Who Are They?
Admittedly, I've never considered what skills (if any) exist to successfully bid on both professional and amateur sporting events. What are the distinctions between chance and skill when betting on the outcome of, say, a hockey game? A new systematic review in the Journal of Gambling Issues attempts to address this question, and others, in order to better understand the profile of a sports bettor. It's an interesting read, and one that opens discussions on an important field of research.
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Just Released! Journal of Gambling Issues - Special Issue (38)
The Journal of Gambling Issues (JGI) has just released its 38th issue. This is a great resource for the latest research on problem gambling, video gaming, emerging treatments and so much more. This special issue also announces the winners of the second JGI Scholars Award for Research Excellence in Problem Gambling. Read JGI special issue 38 here . What to submit your own publication? Learn more here .
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"An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"
This is an interesting article that outlines some of the recommended guidelines for children and smartphone use: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/an-age-by-age-guide-to-kids-and-smartphones/ Dr. Michael Cheng, who spoke earlier this week at the Ontario Problem Gambling and Behavioural Addictions Provincial Forum, is quoted throughout the article. What do you think about some of these tips and guidelines? Are they realistic and reasonable? What other recommendations might you ...
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CBC News - Gaming disorder formally recognized
Elaine Uskoski and her son, Jake, shared their powerful and moving story of their struggle with video game addiction at our annual Forum * earlier this week *(Ontario Problem Gambling & Behavioural Addictions Provincial Forum June 18-19, 2018) Their presentation at the Forum happened to coincide with WHO's release of their new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which CBC showcased on The National on June 18, 2018. To view the interview, click below!
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"Loot Boxes" - gambling or not?
We have seen a rise in gaming/skill-based elements in gambling, and an increase in gambling-related elements in online gaming over the years. There are growing concerns surrounding the blurred lines between gambling and gaming, which is likely to become more widespread given the rise and reliance of technology (King et al., 2015). One such technological development is the emergence of "loot boxes" in various video games, which is a type of micro-transaction that players can purchase (with...
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Research on Parent-Child "Technoference"
A recent research article published in the journal Pediatric Research looks at the effects of "technoference" (defined as digital/mobile technology use that interrupts interpersonal relationships) in a parent-child relationship. Here are some interesting findings from the study that looked at technoference in 183 couples & their children over a 6-month period: 55.5% of mothers and 43.0% of fathers reported having two or more technology devices that interrupt activities with their child...
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ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
CNN just posted on a study linking ADHD with digital media use - a risk factor we identify in our own evidence-based resources . After analyzing the self-reported symptoms and digital media survey responses, the researchers found that each additional high-frequency engagement in a digital media activity was associated with higher odds of having ADHD symptoms at each follow-up point. However, the study, which was published in the medical journal JAMA , sheds light on how more research is...
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WEBINAR Next Week! Gambling Behaviours in Older Adults
Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use How Gambling Behaviours of Older Men and Women Challenge Previous Research on Gender and Gambling Wednesday, July 25, 2018 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm (EST) Mark van der Maas, PhD This webinar will discuss new research findings on how gambling behaviours of older men and women challenge previous notions on the relationship between gender and gambling. Learning Objectives Discuss the over-representation of men among people with problem gambling in general population...
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Can researchers tell how general populations feel by monitoring twitter?
A Wired.com article explored some research that British researchers did over a 4 year period on 800 million tweets to analyze mood/content of tweet and time of tweet. As the title states, they found patterns of being analytical in the morning and angsty at night. Could this have clinical implications? Will a harm reduction approach to social media be to go on in the morning but not later as the day progresses? If clients are struggling with their mood and tend to feel worse after viewing...
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Adolescent Problem Gambling
Our newly released evidence-informed practice web page on adolescent problem gambling discusses the key concepts, latest research and clinical best practices for clients with gambling problems between the ages of 12 to 24 years of age. It also includes handouts tailored for your clients that you can use in your practice. In your experience, what are the specific challenges when treating an adolescent with problem gambling? What resources would help you in providing the best possible care?
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Increases in technology use among Ontario students
According to the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), there have been increases in social media and technology use among Ontario students. Further, this article (released today) states that: "Five per cent of secondary school students reported symptoms suggesting they had a serious problem with use of technology". This is the first time that the survey included items related to symptoms of problem technology use. Hopefully this sets a precedent for further research in...
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[Anonymous, Online Academic Study] Testing a web-based application for Depression and concerning gambling! (Canada,14-40 years)
Researchers at the IWK Health Centre have built a web-based app to help people change their behaviors to help improve their mood. We are looking for participants all around Canada to use it and tell us what they think about it. If you are, or know someone: Who is 14-40 years old? Who sometimes feels sad, down, or depressed and/or has little interest in doing things? Who often feels like gambling? This is a Canada wide study and there is no need to travel, as all study activities take place...
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Do you use the Mental Status Examination in your practice?
Do you use the Mental Status Examination (MSE) in your practice? If so, you'll want to head to our newly released evidence-informed practice web section on the MSE . There, you will find refreshers on what the MSE entails, the latest research on its use and how to apply it to your work with people with gambling problems. You can also find our other evidence-informed practice web sections at https://learn.problemgambling.ca/eip . We also recently offered a webinar on Concurrent Disorders and...
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is the news the new FOMO?
https://www.wired.com/2017/08/fomo/ This article from WIRED magazine asks us to think about how FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) of breaking news impacts on our lives. With recent tragic events, weather related disasters and "notable people" posting on social media, do you find yourself revisiting your social media and news platforms again and again for newer and more information? We often talk with our clients about taking breaks from technology, and from social media especially for those who are...
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Young people think they spend too much time on their cellphones
Pew research released an interesting study about screen time that finds that roughly half of U.S. teens say they spend too much time on their cellphones and about the same proportion say they have tried to cut down. Similarly, 57% had tried to cut down on social media and 58% tried to cut down on video gaming. The report also includes information about parents own use of technology and how they feel about screen time for their children. This is timely given the recent announcement from Apple...
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Cell Phones in Classrooms
Well, it's back to school time so it got me thinking about the ongoing challenge educators have with how to deal with cell phone use in classrooms. Maclean's magazine featured an article, "Should schools welcome cell phones in class?" by Michelle McQuigge. She wrote that research indicates that incorporating cell phones into class with guidelines and teaching students when and how to use the technology appropriately is more effective than banning the cell phones from class altogether. What...
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Study on free to play gambling apps and in-venue gambling from Australia
I came across this article from Australia that looked at the role of free‐to‐play gambling‐themed apps and their relationship to in‐venue gambling. The summary of their research showed that: In retrospective accounts, children aged under 13 who play gambling‐themed apps were also more likely to gamble for money. In retrospective accounts, young people (13–18) who played apps prior to age 13 were more likely to have early involvement with gambling. In a longitudinal experiment, in weeks where...
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Webinar: Mental Health and Well-Being Among Ontario Students
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) recently released it's 2017 survey results. The report describes physical health indicators, mental health indicators, bullying, gambling and related problems, video gaming and related problems, and other risk behaviours among Ontario students in 2017 and changes since 1991, where available. A few survey highlights on gambling, gaming and technology use: About 7% of secondary school students...
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Promoting healthier gambling
Interesting article about the benefits or lack of benefits that result from educating customers about the games. Providing information in this study did not reduce gambling behaviour and people who showed personality traits associated with problem gambling actually lost a bit more after the labels were introduced. OLG has put a lot of resources into educating customers through their PlaySmart website, PlaySmart Centres, and educational resources but it is interesting to look at the impact of...
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RCMP Youth Trends Report Fall 2018
This was forwarded to me, via email, and i am passing it along. There is a lot of great information to help us understand our youth and technology better.
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Ontario Place to be the new location for a casino?
Just in case you missed them, here are two recent articles published in the Globe and Mail on discussions to build a new casino at the Ontario Place location. Gambling industry eyes Toronto waterfront’s Ontario Place - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-gambling-industry-eyes-downtown-waterfront/ Ontario Finance Minister open to idea of a casino on Toronto’s waterfront - ...
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Screen time, social media and tech use among Ontario high school students: Webinar this Thursday!
Why are 20% of Ontario high school students spending 5 hours or more everyday on electronic devices in their spare time? To hear more about screen time, social media use and other findings from the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) register for this webinar this Thursday September 27 th from 1-2:30pm (EDT). Target audience: Public health, teachers, policy-makers , mental health leads, counsellors, and service providers. REGISTER HERE: https://OSDUHS-2017.eventbrite.com
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How to Improve Screening for Problem Gambling - Recruiting for Concept Mapping Study
Are you a health care or service provider? If so, please share your thoughts with St. Michael’s Hospital and U of T researchers on ways to improve screening for problem gambling. We are looking for a wide range of health care and service providers. You can participate in-person at group brainstorming sessions held at the University of Toronto, or online on your own time. Those who take part will be eligible to win a food basket and/ or an iPad. Please contact our research team at...
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Older Adults & Problem Gambling: Journal of Gambling Issues - Special Issue 39
There is a distinct scarcity of research on problem gambling in the older population (+ 55 years of age) despite a steady increase in prevalence rates (see Matheson et al., JGI , 39 , 43-61). In this special issue of the Journal of Gambling Issues ( JGI ), released in September 2018, a work group funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, summarize recent work in this field and identify paths for future study. Contributions include...
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Teens in Urban Regions Are More Likely To Experience Problem Video Gaming
Our colleagues at EENet have just released a research snapshot on their website based on research of Shi and colleagues published in the International Journal of Mental health and Addiction . The study found higher levels of problem video gaming in teens living in urban areas than in teens living in rural areas. Interestingly, they also found that teens in urban regions with a gambling problem were more likely to have a problem with video gaming when compared to teens who did not gamble.
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Cashing in on Mental Health?
Interesting article from the CBC yesterday on problem gambling in BC. It's sobering to hear about the pitfalls other provinces face with respect to problem gambling prevention, protection and supports. The former Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario is referenced in here along with other Canadian sources, around the evidence supporting problem gambling. Take a read if you have a chance.
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New art group for women with gambling concerns
Fred Victor Centre, along with St. Michael's Hospital are running an 8 week art group for women who have gambling concerns. The group is part of a research study and is 2 hours a week. Please see the attached flyer and feel free to pass long to your networks.
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GGTU Fall 2018 Newsletter
We released the fall 2018 edition of our newsletter earlier this week. The newsletter features the newly released issue no. 39 of the Journal of Gambling Issues where the latest research on older adults and gambling is discussed, along with highlights from our Provinicial Forum, an agency spotlight on Amethyst Women's Addiction Centre, announcements, research updates, upcoming trainings and webinars, and what's in the news. In case you missed it, you can find the latest newsletter content on...
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Inventory of Gambling Situations mobile app now available
We have just released the new Inventory of Gambling Situations (IGS) mobile app. Launched in mid-September, this app provides a mobile-friendly version of the IGS, asking clients with problem gambling or suspected gambling problems about their past-year gambling frequency in 63 different situations that may put them at risk. The app provides an easy-to-use, accessible layout and the option for clinicians to get instant results with their clients in the absence of a computer. You or your...
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Gaming and gambling
Research has identified a link between loot boxes and gambling. Loot boxes are an in-game purchase that players can make that includes randomized items that they may value. This random element of loot boxes is similar to random outcomes in gambling and there have been concerns that loot boxes may put players at increased risk of problem gambling.
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Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults Survey
Hello, we are a group of researchers, educators, and trainees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). We are working towards creating new content for current educational programs provided to Ontario high schools, colleges and universities about gambling and cannabis use in youth and young adults. Please note this is not a research project. We have created a survey to assist us in how best to incorporate the most current research...
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Teens say social media not so bad....
Gen Z say social media not so bad...sort of... This article (from Buzzfeed, but with actual research attached to it) shows some stats on how not all teens find social media so bad after all. Then they go on to say that while it's not so bad, they also don't like all the drama that occurs on social media and 26% say it makes them feel worse about their own lives. I would wonder, if the article should be focused not on those who say it isn't so bad, but highlight the percentages who struggle...
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60 minutes interview
CBS reviews research that is being done on the impact of screen time on youth This is how CBS introduces this segment on their website: "If you have kids and wonder if all that time they spend on their smartphones endlessly scrolling, snapping and texting is affecting their brains, you might want to put down your own phone and pay attention" They interview several researchers who are spearheading different studies on the impact of screen time on our brains and the impact of the "bells and...
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Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults Survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Gambling and Cannabis Use in Youth and Young Adults survey. Your feedback has been invaluable! For those who are interested and would like to participate in our short online survey, you can do so until December 31, 2018 -5:00pm (EST). https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=CKXRA4L7HA we are a group of researchers, educators, and trainees at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC). We are...
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Just Released: Journal of Gambling Issues, issue no. 40
Our Journal of Gambling Issues has just released its latest issue (no. 40). The issue includes six original articles on topics such as self-exclusion in Swiss casinos and the links between impulsivity, depression and gambling; a policy paper on government-operated gambling; and a paper on the evolution of gambling. Read the full issue here .
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Searching for ways to improve screening problem gambling
St. Michael’s and U of T are looking for health-care providers to take part in a research study Are you a health-care provider? If so, please share your thoughts with St. Michael’s and University of Toronto researchers on ways to improve screening for problem gambling. We are looking for a wide range of health-care and service providers. In-person or online sorting and rating sessions will be held at U of T. Those who take part will be eligible to win a gourmet food basket. Contact Amanda...
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New article in JMIR- Internet-Based Interventions for Problem Gambling: Scoping Review
This scoping review summarizes 26 articles related to research on problem gambling interventions made available through the internet. It was stated that internet-based interventions show potential but their effectiveness compared with in-person treatment is unknown, and possible unintended side effects are not clear. However, such interventions have shown benefits for persons facing barriers in accessing problem gambling treatment. You can read the full article here . What are your thoughts...
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Mindfulness for gambling, gaming and technology use
I would have never known that I would be teaching clients how to meditate when I started in the addiction counselling field back in the early nineties. I was not even meditating back then, although I had started training in the martial arts, which I consider to be a form of moving meditation. I would not even have anticipated the types of benefits that I now see not only for the clients but also for myself and there is even scientific evidence behind them. Over the past several years,...
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CAMH Monitor e-Report 2017 - Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use Rates in Ontario Adults
The CAMH Monitor e-Report 2017 was just released, providing new gambling, gaming and technology use prevalence rates for Ontario adults. Below are some highlights. Gambling: The most common gambling activity was buying lottery tickets. 23.4% of adults reported betting on slots or table games at a casino in the past year, while 3.7% bet money online. 1.2% of Ontario adults had a moderate to high risk of gambling problems in the past year. Gaming & Technology Use: 5.6% of Ontario adults...
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Data show no evidence that teens' social media use predicts depression over time
Longitudinal data from adolescents and young adults show no evidence that social media use predicts later depressive symptoms. However, the findings do show that relatively higher depressive symptoms predicted later social media use among adolescent girls. This research stands in contrast with recent claims that adolescents' use of social media may lead to depression, claims based primarily on studies that examined associations between average social media use and average well-being measured...
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Gambling and Gaming Harms: Ontario Professional Development Forum
May 9 th and 10 th , 2019 ⃒ Downtown Toronto, Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel This year’s Forum focus is “bringing together clinicians and community partners to reduce harms from gambling and gaming”. Whether you have been supporting people with gambling problems for years or you are new to the field, changes in the gambling landscape, emerging technologies, the blurring of gaming and gambling, and new insights into concurrent disorders all indicate a need for updated approaches to treatment and...