Internet gambling: A school-based survey among Macau students

Abstract

Internet gambling was examined among 422 Macau students (240 male; 182 female) aged 12-22, who were recruited from 6 schools. Results indicated that 6.6% of the participants had gambled online in the past year, wagering on soccer matches (50%), mahjong (35.7%), and casino games (14.3%). They were attracted by the operators' acceptance of low wagers (39.3%), anonymity assurance (28.6%), and convenience and accessibility (25%). Using the Massachusetts Gambling Screen (MAGS; Shaffer, LaBrie, Scanlan, & Cummings, 1994), 10.7% and 25% of the Internet gamblers could be classified as problem and pathological gamblers, respectively. Males were twice as likely as females to gamble online and have gambling problems. Rates of participation and problem gambling increased with school grades. Survey results shed light on prevention.