Tagged With "Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines"
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"Are video game transactions too much like gambling?"
Here is a link to the article in the Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/gaming/2018/06/19/are-video-game-transactions-too-much-like-gambling.html One of the things that I said in the interview for the article that I wish the writer would have included, was that even though the transactions may not meet the technical definition of gambling, the fact that people may not get the item they want when they purchase something in a loot box, may result in them going back multiple...
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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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Is Screen Time Hurting Your Heart?
A recent publication from the American Hearth Association (AHA) has reiterated a commonly understood link between sedentary behaviour and heart disease. What's interesting is that they link it to the amount of time we spend in front of our screens. Longitudinal studies among adults show that increases in key indicators of sedentary behavior, including screen time and sitting time, are associated with an increased risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular disease. As our screen time continues...
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Screen time and ADHD
ADHD is a risk factor for developing problem technology use. There has also been some discussion in the popular media about whether screen time causes ADHD. Leonard Sax, a psychologist and author (Boys Adrift) who spoke at our forum in 2017 was featured in an article in Psychology Today titled, "Does Too Much Screen Time Really Cause ADHD?". In the article, he refers to a study, the first of its kind on the topic. Take a look at the article and see what you think.
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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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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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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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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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Sit less, play more: WHO wades in on screen time use for children
The debate over just how much screen time is OK for young children rages on. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its latest guidelines : no screen time for babies under 1 and no more than 1 hour a day for kids 1-4 years old. Kids should be more active and sleep more, rather than engage in passive screen time, which can lead to health problems later on in life. The main concern is the impact of physical inactivity - of which sedentary screen time is a part - on the risk of...
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Sleep problems in teenagers reversed in just one week by limiting screen use
Sleep in teenagers can be improved by just one week of limiting their evening exposure to light-emitting screens on phones, tablets and computers. The study indicates that by simply limiting their exposure to blue-light emitting devices in the evening, adolescents can improve their sleep quality and reduce symptoms of fatigue, lack of concentration and bad mood, after just one week. Those who had more than 4 hours per day of screen time had on average 30 minutes later sleep onset and wake up...
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Re: Gaming and gambling
Interesting research! The Australian Government is currently conducting a commission into loot-boxes (microtransactions for chance based items). You can read a number of interesting submissions (including my own ) on the topic. The Australian Government has also reached out to the Netherlands to clarify why they regulated lootboxes in games. Their response states: The Senate report is actually due today, but I haven't seen it yet. I've done quite a bit of work in this space. To those...
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Re: "An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones"
Thanks for sharing, Matt! I think this article provides a lot of great discussion points and things to consider. As mentioned in the article, guidelines from the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics suggest limiting recreational screen time for youth to minimize the risk of future problem technology use but I think this is just a starting point. Risk factors such as a child's developmental stage, any existing mental health problems and even what the child is doing...
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Re: ADHD study links teens' symptoms with digital media use
Great article, Howie. And thanks for shedding light on your personal experiences, Elaine. It's interesting because most of the theories I've heard concerning the link between ADHD and digital media use focus on how the symptoms of ADHD (e.g., inattentiveness, impulsivity, etc.) put a person at risk for developing problematic technology use as an unhealthy way of coping with/expressing these symptoms. However, in your son's case, it appears that his video gaming preceded his ADHD symptoms.
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Re: Can anyone suggest an gambling clinical practice guide, that incorporates "cultural competency" on the idea of "lucky?"
Hello Bill, Please find the attached document, "A Guide for Counsellors Working with Problem Gambling Clients from Ethno-cultural Communities." On page 16 there is content related to your question. Best, Lisa
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Re: Gambling, Gaming, and Technology Use Knowledge Exchange
Thank you so much for sharing the article, Elaine. It was very thought provoking. I had some initial responses to his article (in italics). My Responses to “Why Is There a ‘Gaming Disorder’ But NO ‘Smartphone Disorder’ article in The Atlantic by Ian Bogost on June 28, 2018. The ICD has not "decided" that if you play video games a lot, you might suffer from a mental health issue: Gaming disorder.” They have determined based on research and consultations with experts that those that are...
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Re: Blog on WHO's decision to include gaming disorder in the ICD-11
I completely agree Lisa. My eldest son plays video games a lot and still has a full life outside of gaming. My youngest's son's gaming habits were do severe he stopped thriving. As a result, one son can still enjoy a lifestyle that includes gaming, while the other now chooses to abstain. There is an enormous difference, and we have to be really clear in stating just what those differences are. Although our family has to deal with a son with Gaming Disorder, we have not jumped on the...
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Re: Is Screen Time Hurting Your Heart?
Great article, Howie, thanks for sharing! I agree with Elaine; exercise is so important to get our blood flowing and reduce our risk of developing one of the communicable diseases (e.g. high blood pressure, type II diabetes, etc.). The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has released physical activity guidelines for adults and children. I think what's important to remember is to incorporate exercise into your daily routine so that you're more likely to stick with it. For example,...
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Re: DOTA 2 coming to Vancouver
The numbers are staggering (both prizes and number fans). I was listening to the CBC yesterday morning and they were discussing scholarships that are being offered for gaming at Universities. They were interviewing a coach for a gaming team who was a professional gamer. The fact that people are earning money in a number of ways by gaming creates risk for some people who are vulnerable to developing a problem. Many hours need to be spent practicing in order to become successful but like the...
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Re: Cell Phones in Classrooms
I have heard that some teachers have a basket at the front of the room where they collect their students' cellphones before the start of the class. I think this could be helpful however, there are now smart watches and other wearable technologies that can provide the student with access to the Internet. So I feel like this does not tackle the entire problem and that more needs to be done in the classroom, such as addressing some of the underlying factors that put students at risk (which may...
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Re: Are "Free" Video Games Really Free?
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Also, to note is that gamers are purchasing Skins (virtual goods) within a game, believing they enhance their online social status (they believe those who have attained many of these Skins must be better players) when they have no direct influence on the outcome of their game play. In terms of reducing or avoiding financial disaster, besides never giving a child their credit card, parents can help a child create a budget and use the child's earned or gifted...
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Re: Blog on WHO's decision to include gaming disorder in the ICD-11
I like how you addressed a number of commonly held concerns, as well as your summary of key messages. One of the points that resonated with me most was when you stated "Adolescence is a time when people are most at risk...If problems go undetected and untreated during this time when youth are laying the foundation for their future, the negative effects can be far-reaching." This reminded me of the importance of early intervention. Hopefully the recognition of video gaming as a disorder will...
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Re: Blog on WHO's decision to include gaming disorder in the ICD-11
Good point Colleen! The ESA has been vocal about their opposition towards the classification of gaming as a disorder. I think it is important to remember that the classification is not meant to demonize gaming but rather create awareness for the people who are at risk and those that have developed problems. Gambling, alcohol and eating are all listed as disorders and I don't think those industries are hurting financially. I think there is room and should be space for both realities, non...
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Re: Subscribe to lottery tickets???
I was not aware of this either and share your concerns. We know generally that increased access places people at greater risk so making it easier to buy lottery tickets could have some impact. This is one of those examples where OLG would argue that they are simply improving their customer service by giving people more options. Their challenge is to balance their desire to promote their products to the broader community without increasing harm to those experiencing problems.
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Re: "Are video game transactions too much like gambling?"
I consider this to be a form of gambling. You risk money on an outcome that you don't control and you cannot get your money back. The contents of the loot are random so you are paying for the chance that you might get a valuable item. That's the gamble.
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Re: Research/Stats on Professional Gamblers and their income
Hi Shannon, This article we published in 2013 is dated but has information income from a small US sample of professional gamblers. I hope it helps. It's a starting point. Jeremiah
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The relationship between gambling and intimate partner violence
Australia’s National Research Organization for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) recently published a qualitative study entitled, “ The relationship between gambling and intimate partner violence against women ” (2020). Addressing a gap in the problem gambling literature, this report expands the definition of intimate partner violence (IPV) beyond physical assault, to include aspects of coercive control and economic abuse. Some of the key findings include: Gambling does not directly or solely cause...
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Assessing gaming disorder: Expert opinions
Gaming disorder can be difficult to assess, as there are concerns about over pathologizing normal or potentially healthy behaviours. A new study surveyed 29 international experts until consensus was reached about useful criteria for assessing gaming disorder. This study helps clinicians with creating their own assessments to ensure they're looking at the most relevant features in their assessment to target as well as ensure they're not problematizing less relevant features. An interesting...
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Mindfulness and problem gambling treatment.
A few years ago, problem gambling clinicians in Ontario began introducing mindfulness groups to clients as they felt that they could benefit from cultivating greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions while detaching from and not giving in to them. This practise is particularly relevant to people with gambling problems who tend to hold incorrect or erroneous beliefs about the nature of random chance (Toneatto et al., 1997; Turner, 2006) and engage in automatic thinking before, during...
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Lonely adolescents are susceptible to internet addiction
Loneliness is a risk factor associated with adolescents being drawn into compulsive internet use. The risk of compulsive use has grown in the coronavirus pandemic: loneliness has become increasingly prevalent among adolescents, who spend longer and longer periods of time online. Read the whole story here. Have you seen innovative ways to address loneliness in teenagers during the pandemic?
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Re: Getting started on our online community
Hi, my name is Andrew Karagianis. I'm a Social Service Worker/Gambling Addiction Case Worker at Good Shepherd Ministries in Toronto. I'm part of a 3-year Gambling Addiction Pilot Project, which is addressing problem gambling among adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I first heard of this community of interest at a CAMH training course last week, and thought it would be a good idea to join, and see what I can learn from other people!
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Re: What are your professional goals for 2019?
I would like to know more about the status of loot-box games and how they might be regulated in the future. Additionally, I would love to come across research on cross-over patterns of addiction between substances, behaviours (eating disorders, fitness) and gambling. How at risk is the problem gambler to developing another addiction during gambling sobriety?
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Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for problem gambling manual
In Ontario, treatment for people with gambling problems was first implemented in 1995, in response to the opening of the province’s first commercial casino in Windsor. With extensive clinical experience and excellent research since then, knowledge about what constitutes effective treatment has been growing, but no one approach suits everyone. Treatment services have instead tended to adopt an eclectic and holistic approach, incorporating a biopsychosocial-spiritual model that draws on...
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Re: Movies on problem gambling, gaming & tech use
Amazing @Registered Member! Thank you so much, I have already downloaded a copy (and attached here in case others are curious to check it out). Also, I would welcome an updated article.
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Technology, risk and gambling seminar series
The University of Sydney's Technology Addiction Team is hosting weekly one-hour seminar for the next nine weeks on a wide range of topics relevant to stakeholders interested in understanding how design and emerging technologies impact gambling, including risky decision making and behaviours. For a list of dates, topics and speakers and registration information, please click here . You can watch previous webinars in the series here . Be mindful of international time differences . Seminars are...
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The Inventory of Gambling Situations (IGS) for working with clients with gambling problems.
The IGS is an excellent tool that counsellors can use when working with someone with a gambling problem. Here are some of the benefits of using it: It’s a well validated assessment tool. It is based on the idea that excessive gambling is a result of learned behaviour and therefore can be changed Provides insight into client’s specific gambling pattern and the situations that are most likely to lead to problem gambling behaviour Although developed from a CBT perspective, the IGS can be used...
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Serious games, mental health apps, and gambling disorder
The title of a recently published article, A Serious Game to Improve Emotion Regulation in Treatment-Seeking Individuals With Gambling Disorder: A Usability Study , peaked my interest for a few reasons. First, being part of a group of folks who design and create learning opportunities for mental health and addictions clinicians, we have talked about integrating "serious games" (broadly defined as games with educational or informational aims, vs. purely entertainment) into our course design.
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Re: Funding for Interventions
Hi Olive I can't find the original document but it is called Ontario's problem - gambling Strategy and it has been in existence since 1996. Since 1999, it has been funded by a formula of 2 percent of gross slot machine revenue from charity casinos and slots at racetracks. The Strategy has a three-pronged approach consisting of treatment, prevention/awareness and research. I have attached a review of the strategy that was conducted in 2005. You can also find some information about it at the...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Thanks for your questions, Chloe. Q How would you help parents differentiate healthy and enthusiastic gaming from problem gaming? A Recreational gamers are able to self-regulate their gaming time. They play for short periods of time and understand there are many translatable skills that gaming offers such as problem solving, team dynamics, determination and tenacity, and micro and macro managing. These players still enjoy a variety of other activities outside of gaming. Escapers and High...
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Childhood Experiences and Problematic Smartphone Use: Potential public health implications?
A recent study by Forster et al. (2021) looked at the impact of adverse childhood experiences (i.e. witnessing domestic violence, parent alcohol and drug use, etc) on problematic smartphone use later on in life. The authors conducted surveys on college students which explored their exposure to adverse childhood experiences and assessed their level of problematic smartphone use. They found that students with increased exposure to adverse childhood events were at greater risk for problematic...
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In the news: (CBC) Ford government could lose $2.8B over 5 years in online gambling bet, confidential report warns
A CBC article published today outlines how the Ontario government could lose up to $550 million in annual revenue with the arrival of the online gambling market in Ontario ($2.8 billion over the next five years). The projections, outlined in a private and confidential report to one of Canada's largest gaming companies, suggests that the province is set to lose money due to individuals spending more money on online gambling and moving away from land-based casino gambling (the taxation rate is...