Tagged With "Fundamentals of Gambling and Gaming"
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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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Canada Passes Single-Game Sports Betting Bill
Canada’s Parliament voted Wednesday to pass the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. Read more...
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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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Re: Movies on problem gambling, gaming & tech use
Molly's Game - She runs a high stakes poker game for prominent stars and mafia. She then finds herself in trouble after the FBI finds interest in her. The Gambler - a professor is addicted to gambling and finds himself in trouble with his enemies. Mississippi Grind - a man believes his new found friend is a lucky charm when it comes to gambling. These are only a few off hand. Since I have a great interest in problem gambling prevention, awareness and addiction, I often look for movies of...
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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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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)
Thank you again for joining us on the forum, Elaine and for offering your time and sharing your story. Watching the documentary sparked a number of initial questions and further reflections: What were some of the things that you and Jake worked on together during that time when he was first stopping/reducing his video gaming? How is Jake doing now? It appears that Jake felt like an “abstinence” approach was what worked best for him. At any point, did you ever try a “harm reduction” approach...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Thanks for asking me to be a part of this event, Marie-Claire. I'm happy to answer questions in order to help others have a good understanding of gaming addiction from mine and my son's experience. Q What were some of the things that you and Jake worked on together during that time when he was first stopping/reducing his video gaming? A The first time Jake detoxed from gaming, after he had time to rest and get back on a regular sleep cycle, he joined me in morning fitness classes in order to...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Thanks for your question Anita. Q Hindsight is 20/20. It’s always easier to reflect on what you might have done differently when you have the knowledge of what came before. Looking back, were there warning signs that you are more aware of now that you can share with other parents/caregivers? A Yes, there were warning signs. Jake had lost interest in the sports activities he’d loved. He spoke mostly about online friends and much less about friends at school. He had more difficulty waking in...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Hi Elaine! This is a really interesting conversation. Thanks for sharing your experiences and approaches that inform your work. I had a few questions I’d like to ask as well: What are some of the main challenges parents/caregivers face when addressing gaming or video game addiction with their children/kin? What have you found to be effective in addressing these challenges? Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected how you speak about gaming? In what ways?
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Thank you for participating Tara. Q What are some of the main challenges parents/caregivers face when addressing gaming / video game addiction with their children/kin? What have you found to be effective in addressing these challenges? A The biggest challenge I see is that parents do not follow through with consequences of poor behaviour of their child. They don’t have clear rules in place, and so the child ends up making decisions on what is acceptable behaviour. Restrictions are not made...
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Re: Problem Gaming Q&A with Elaine Uskoski (May 6-7, 2021)
Great question Mahfuz What I find often is that parents are rewarding children for following rules, rather than setting up a system where the child has a consequence of losing whatever their personal currency is when they don't follow through with expectations. I suggest parents make a list, that is clear for the child to follow, that contains both personal responsibilities as well as chores that are required. This list can be discussed and created with the child. But some of the items are...
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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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Gambling Awareness Jeopardy Game
Hi everyone, I recall attending a workshop a few months ago and someone shared that they have an awareness tool using a jeopardy style game to educate regarding gambling and gaming, and that this was available for anyone to use. Of course, I can't find any link or information on this now. Any help in tracking this down would be much appreciated!!
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JGI Special Issue Now Available! The Converging Worlds of Gambling, Video Gaming and Technology Use
Editorial A few months ago, the Journal of Gambling Issues ( JGI ) announced that it was opening its doors to papers on other behavioral disorders and in particular to papers on video gaming. Video gaming is a rapidly growing industry that attracts a worldwide audience and therefore a worldwide impact, but few journals that specifically focus their attention on video gaming. According to a quick internet search, the worldwide video gaming industry is valued at $151.06 billion US in 2019 and,...
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YGAM report to MPs highlights online abuse of girl gamers
Sharing this interesting report from YGAM * about the experiences of girl gamers of a variety of ages. This report summarizes the experiences of harassment and misogyny experienced by gamers who are women in online gaming communities. The report sets out recommendations that will be presented to UK MPs on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Video Games and E Sports about how to safeguard young women, educate parents and young boys about topics such as rape culture and discrimination. It's...
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Re: Gacha Games - The merging of gambling and gaming
This podcast/YouTube series is great! One of the key quotes for me was: "I've never seen the appeal of casinos... they're scary but to me, Gacha is [like] paying for an experience, I want this thing I'm paying for... I know exactly what I'm getting into" But then... the price you're paying for an item is variable and the thrill of eventually getting it will elicit that dopamine hit. I appreciated the hosts arguing some of the nuances of Gacha vs casino gambling! I wonder how it would be...
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New panel interview on single-event sports betting!
Soon, on August 27, the federal government will make it legal to gamble on individual sporting events . The provinces and territories will be able to set rules for new online and physical-venue forms of single-event sports betting (SESB). With Canadians spending approximately $10 billion per year on SESB through illegal networks, plus additional billions via opportunities in offshore jurisdictions, the new legal changes provide opportunity to regulate and control SESB, and divert money from...
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Re: Can jurisdictions effectively impose limits on videogame use by kids?
I saw a similar article earlier last month where Tencent, one of the larger Chinese video game companies, made a pledge that they would reduce play time for minors to an hour during weekdays and no more than two hours during vacations and holidays. They did this after Chinese state media made a comment about video games being “spiritual opium”. The company also implemented measures such as facial recognition systems for certain games to prevent kids from using their parents’ IDs to buy...
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Beyond Betting - YMCA Limited Podcast Series
🔈 Check this out! 🔈 In the first episode of The Beyond Betting Podcast hosted by the YMCA of Greater Toronto's Youth Gambling Awareness Program ( # YGAP ), the hosts tackle the topic of player packs in video games like Madden and FIFA, while sharing real-world advice for staying safe while playing these games! To listen 🎧, go to: https://youtu.be/rpisfMp9HGw
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New online training available: Fundamentals of Gambling and Gaming
This week, CAMH GGTU have launched a new foundational online training: Fundamentals of Gambling and Gaming This short, self-directed online course will provide students and professionals with a foundational understanding of problem gambling and gaming. This training presents current evidence and best practices for recognizing and supporting individuals at risk of, or experiencing, problem gambling and/or problem gaming. This includes information on evidence-based screening tools, assessment,...
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Re: Gambling and advertising: Should there be more regulations?
My short answer is yes, including the way that media reports on when people win the lottery jackpots. They potentially propagate gambling myths by saying things such as: they won by playing the same numbers for the past 36 years and you could be next, or they picked their numbers by using birthdays and anniversary dates and it finally paid off. This gives people a message that they can somehow influence the outcome of the game. There is lots more to say but I will leave it at this for now.
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Video Game and ADHD Video Resource
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R634ytgt7fw 1) By discussing the feedback loop in video games, this video helps to increase understanding on why things offline start to feel less rewarding compared to video games, along with why it is easier to focus / be motivated with a game. 2) This video offers ADHD target information, which is of extra benefit since having ADHD is a risk facture in developing problematic gaming behaviour. However, this information can still be applied to neurotypical...
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How Playing Video Games Affects Your Brain
https://youtu.be/PcDbL0lGw2U This video suggests engaging in video game play influences brain functioning. It would be interesting to compare the regions of the brain affected by excessive video game play and how they compare to the regions affected by an individual who is addicted to substances I think the link between emotion regulation, problem gaming and treatment strategy will be key in my new role as a Youth Case Manager. Is there potential for using strategy games as a harm reduction...
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FREE Virtual Webinar: When Gaming Meets Gambling
Are video games like Candy Crush gambling? How do video games promote gambling among youth? What is a Freemium Model game? All these questions and more will be discussed in this free webinar being conducted by the YMCA of Greater Toronto's Youth Gambling Awareness Program. Game-Bling is an interactive webinar designed for service providers and parents of youth, during which we will explore the dangers of the blurred lines between gaming and gambling and provide tools to understand and...
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Microtransactions in Videogames
Attached are an article and youtube video on the prevalence of microtransactions in videogames. For those of you who may be unaware, microtransactions are purchases that can be made inside a video game for cosmetic items or gameplay advantages. In many games, these purchases come in the form of a "loot box" system, where the only way to get the item that you are interested in is to "roll" for them, forcing you to buy multiple useless items as well. This is essentially an early introduction...
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Game Over: Game Quitters – Online Peer Support for Gamers
Game Over: Game Quitters – Online Peer Support for Gamers www.gamequitters.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/dyOLc5cl6ck Cam’s story is one that many would resonate with. He is the founder of Game Quitters which is an online support page for gamers who are concerned about their gaming habits. It is a safe space that offers a chance for individuals to connect with others who are experiencing similar struggles with gaming addiction. It is well formatted with resources in various forms including...
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Gaming helps
9 Benefits & Positive Effects Of Video Games | GEICO Living - The article shared 9 advantages gaming can bring to an individual. Which shows that gaming can help people develop skills that are useful in everyday life. - More focus should be put on how gaming can be beneficial. Instead of demonizing it - there should be regulations on game development to make the game less addictive.
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Client Video on Confidence with Gaming vs Offline World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wngVZR8ISBU In this video by Cam from Game Quitters (a self-help group for people with video game addiction and their family that also has treatment services for a fee) outlines a common concern within the gaming community. The idea that gaming is the only thing the person can do well, and that cutting back or quitting games will take away the only way they can feel accomplished. Not only is this a fear that many clients for problem gaming can relate to, but...
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Concerns about Video Gaming
https://mediasmarts.ca/video-games/concerns-about-video-games Relates To Problem Use - Spoke to how adults/ parents can try any differentiate between problematic use by such questions, becoming excessive, less socializing, grades and or health declining. Clinically Relevant - I liked how this article spoke about age-appropriate games. I suppose I forgot that there may be a fair amount of children/ teens out there playing games that are rated for only adults. This may be a good question to...
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Re: Anxiety, loneliness and Fear of Missing Out: The impact of social media on young people’s mental health
Given the scope of this topic area, it seems necessary to "focus on our focus" and attend to health aspects of PTU while keeping an eye on other aspects of PTU (such as technology, game design, business strategy and more).It seems that the concept of "balance" is critical. Exciting ways of conveying mental "balance" seems welcome for psychoeducation approaches. The premise is that if mental health is "in balance" then behavioral addiction or substance addiction will be less likely, less...
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Re: Health effects of gaming
This article has fairly recent (2021) stats on prevalence around the world but doesn't separate Canada out from a larger study that included the US, UK, Canada and Germany which showed the same percentage as the above article. Iran apparently has the highest rate and in Korea it is considered a public health crisis. Video Game Addiction Statistics 2021: Is the World Addicted to Video Games? | Healthy Gamer
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Problematic Online Behaviors Among Gamers
Article posted for COI was: Rozgonjuk, Dmitri & Schivinski, Bruno & Pontes, Halley & Montag, Christian. (2022). Correction to: Problematic Online Behaviors Among Gamers: the Links Between Problematic Gaming, Gambling, Shopping, Pornography Use, and Social Networking. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Accessed May 16, 2022 at https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11469-021-00590-3.pdf Three Bullet Points – How Article Relates to Gaming Behaviors listed...
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YouTube video about replacing gaming with other activities
I came across this video after seeing another by the same youTuber, 'game quitters', linked in a classmate's post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgC4DM1EZ5A I liked that, while the content appears to have some basis in research (presenter is citing evidence, and the content as parallels with the course content), the material is being presented by a peer and in a format that will be comfortable for many of my clients: a quick youTube video. I think the discussion of needs met by gaming is...
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Re: Effects of Video Gaming on Youth's behaviour and Mental Health
I have always been a fan of using social learning theory when working with my substance use clients, and I can totally see this with how my kids act. We went out as a Mario Cart family for Halloween last year - my son was Mario, daughter was princess peach, I was Luigi and my husband was the actual car. My 4 year old had never heard of mario - she just wanted to be the princess. After actually playing Mario Cart and some other Mario game we have, I have noticed that when she "plays princess"...
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Autism, PTU, and Video Game Therapy
Article Jiménez‑Muñoz, L., Peñuelas‑Calvo, I., Calvo‑Rivera, P., Díaz‑Oliván, I., Moreno, M., Baca‑García, E., and Porras‑Segovia, A. (2022). Video Games for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2022) 52:169–188. Accessed May 23, 2022 at https://link-springer-com.proxy.library.upei.ca/content/pdf/10.1007/s10803-021-04934-9.pdf How It Relates to Gaming Video game-based interventions were effective in alleviating...
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Three hours a week: Play time’s over for China’s young video gamers
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/video-games/three-hours-week-play-times-chinas-young-video-gamers-rcna1816 In 2021 China imposed restrictions on video game play for under 18’s, 1 hour of play Fri, Sat, and Sun between 8pm and 9pm. An intervention China said was required to “pull the plug on a growing addiction”, gaming once described as “spiritual opium”. Has this been helpful, should other countries adopt this strategy? In China gaming companies are required to have Real-name verification...
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Re: Gaming helps
Brian, Your article had 212 comments so it must "have something to say"! The nine points are substantive, practical, and succinct. Video games need a new image where benefits and harms are balanced. When VG developers put their heads to it, maybe the helps and harms can be integrated into each game. Is it not somewhat like driving cars, ATVs, planes, or other forms of tech except that the concerns may be more on the mental side than the physical side.
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One Girl's Experience With Online Gaming And Strangers
https://www.screenagersmovie.com/podcasts/one-girls-experience-with-online-gaming-and-strangers 17 minute podcast. Dr. Delaney Ruston speaks with 11-year-old Mira, regarding what she likes about the popular gaming platform Roblox and the video game Minecraft. 1. Mira notes how her gaming has allowed her to have fun, be creative, and improve in some math skills. 2. She also shares experiences of strangers making attempts to connect with her, commenting on her attractiveness and making...
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Video game play is positively correlated with well-being
Video game play is positively correlated with well-being | Royal Society Open Science (royalsocietypublishing.org) - This study shows an overall positive correlation between video game play and an individual's mental health - It studies people playing the new Plants vs Zombies and Animal Crossing games, which are fairly "casual" gameplay experiences. I am curious what the study would look like when run on more "competitive" gamers like MMO, MOBA and FPS players - They also noticed an...
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Problem Gaming Use
The following article on Problem Gaming outlines the prevalence and negative outcomes associated with gaming addiction. They highlight how the motivations for gaming do not all relate to the tendency to become addicted. The characteristics of an addictive game are also covered. The article explores the comorbidity of gaming disorder with other mental health diagnoses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552989/
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The Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning - Journal Entry
Journal article - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01731/full 1. I think it is easy for us to fall into a thinking trap of "all gaming is bad" or that there are no benefits of gaming. This article sheds light on some of the positives of gaming. 2. Researchers did find a medium-sized relation between potentially problematic video game use and poor psychological functioning with regard to general psychological symptoms, maladaptive coping strategies, negative...
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Re: How the Pandemic Changed Social Media
I liked the highlighted point of the change in social media in peak hours in relation to working from home. I think it also creates a game of when do I post this content to get the most likes/attention.