Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Systematic Review of Empirically Evaluated School-Based Gambling Education Programs

  • Review Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adolescent problem gambling prevalence rates are reportedly five times higher than in the adult population. Several school-based gambling education programs have been developed in an attempt to reduce problem gambling among adolescents; however few have been empirically evaluated. The aim of this review was to report the outcome of studies empirically evaluating gambling education programs across international jurisdictions. A systematic review following guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement searching five academic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO, and ERIC, was conducted. A total of 20 papers and 19 studies were included after screening and exclusion criteria were applied. All studies reported intervention effects on cognitive outcomes such as knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs. Only nine of the studies attempted to measure intervention effects on behavioural outcomes, and only five of those reported significant changes in gambling behaviour. Of these five, methodological inadequacies were commonly found including brief follow-up periods, lack of control comparison in post hoc analyses, and inconsistencies and misclassifications in the measurement of gambling behaviour, including problem gambling. Based on this review, recommendations are offered for the future development and evaluation of school-based gambling education programs relating to both methodological and content design and delivery considerations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blaszczynski, A., Dumlao, V., & Lange, M. (1997). How much do you spend gambling? Ambiguities in survey questionnaire items. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13(3), 237–252. doi:10.1023/A:1024931316358.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Ladouceur, R., Goulet, A., & Savard, C. (2006). How much do you spend gambling? Ambiguities in questionnaire items assessing expenditure. International Gambling Studies, 6(2), 123–128. doi:10.1080/14459790600927738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Ladouceur, R., Goulet, A., & Savard, C. (2008a). Differences in monthly versus daily evaluations of money spent on gambling and calculation strategies. Journal of Gambling Issues, 21, 98–105. doi:10.4309/jgi.2008.21.9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczynski, A., Ladouceur, R., & Moodie, C. (2008b). The Sydney Laval universities gambling screen: Preliminary data. Addiction Research & Theory, 16(4), 401–411. doi:10.1080/16066350701699031.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braverman, J., Tom, M., & Shaffer, H. (2014). Accuracy of self-reported versus actual online gambling wins and losses. Psychological Assessment, 26(3), 865–877. doi:10.1037/a0036428.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canale, N., Vieno, A., Griffiths, M. D., Marino, C., Chieco, F., Disperati, F., et al. (2016). The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: A preliminary randomized study. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 946–954. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.10.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, S. R., Miller, N., Hodgins, D. C., & Wang, J. (2009). Defining a threshold of harm from gambling for population health surveillance research. International Gambling Studies, 9(1), 19–38. doi:10.1080/14459790802652209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, R. M. (2003). Prevention of problem gambling: A school-based intervention (M.Sc.). University of Calgary, Canada. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/docview/305339641/abstract/1ADA6FA2BAB34CD8PQ/1.

  • Delfabbro, P., King, D., & Griffiths, M. D. (2014). From adolescent to adult gambling: An analysis of longitudinal gambling patterns in South Australia. Journal of Gambling Studies, 30(3), 547–563. doi:10.1007/s10899-013-9384-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delfabbro, P., Lahn, J., & Grabosky, P. (2005). Further evidence concerning the prevalence of adolescent gambling and problem gambling in Australia: A study of the ACT. International Gambling Studies, 5(2), 209–228. doi:10.1080/14459790500303469.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delfabbro, P., Lambos, C., King, D., & Puglies, S. (2009a). Knowledge and beliefs about gambling in Australian secondary school students and their implications for education strategies. Journal of Gambling Studies, 25(4), 523–539. doi:10.1007/s10899-009-9141-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delfabbro, P., Winefield, A. H., & Anderson, S. (2009b). Once a gambler—always a gambler? A longitudinal analysis of gambling patterns in young people making the transition from adolescence to adulthood. International Gambling Studies, 9(2), 151–163. doi:10.1080/14459790902755001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., & Gupta, R. (2000). Prevalence estimates of adolescent gambling: A comparison of the SOGS-RA, DSM-IV-J, and the GA 20 Questions. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16(2), 227–251. doi:10.1023/A:1009485031719.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derevensky, J. L., Gupta, R., & Winters, K. (2003). Prevalence rates of youth gambling problems: Are the current rates inflated? Journal of Gambling Studies, 19(4), 405–425. doi:10.1023/A:1026379910094.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donati, M. A., Primi, C., & Chiesi, F. (2014). Prevention of problematic gambling behavior among adolescents: Testing the efficacy of an integrative intervention. Journal of Gambling Studies, 30(4), 803–818. doi:10.1007/s10899-013-9398-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferland, F., Ladouceur, R., & Vitaro, F. (2002). Prevention of problem gambling: Modifying misconceptions and increasing knowledge. Journal of gambling studies, 18(1), 19–29. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1014528128578.

  • Ferland, F., Ladouceur, R., & Vitaro, F. (2005). Efficacité d’un programme de prévention des habitudes de jeu chez les jeunes: résultats de l’évaluation pilote. L’Encéphale, 31(4), 427–436. doi:10.1016/S0013-7006(05)82404-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (1992). Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the U.K. Journal of Gambling Studies, 8(3), 263–285. doi:10.1007/BF01014653.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, S. (2000). Developing the DSM-IV criteria to identify adolescent problem gambling in non-clinical populations. Journal of Gambling Studies, 16(2), 253–273. doi:10.1023/A:1009437115789.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaboury, A., & Ladouceur, R. (1993). Evaluation of a prevention program for pathological gambling among adolescents. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 14(1), 21–28. doi:10.1007/BF01324653.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gainsbury, S., & Blaszczynski, A. (2011). Online self-guided interventions for the treatment of problem gambling. International Gambling Studies, 11(3), 289–308. doi:10.1080/14459795.2011.617764.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, M., & Barnes, A. (2008). Internet gambling: An online empirical study among student gamblers. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 6(2), 194–204. doi:10.1007/s11469-007-9083-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, R., Nower, L., Derevensky, J. L., Blaszczynski, A., Faregh, N., & Temcheff, C. (2013). Problem gambling in adolescents: An examination of the pathways model. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29(3), 575–588. doi:10.1007/s10899-012-9322-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanss, D., Mentzoni, R. A., Delfabbro, P., Myrseth, H., & Pallesen, S. (2014). Attitudes toward gambling among adolescents. International Gambling Studies, 14(3), 505–519. doi:10.1080/14459795.2014.969754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours. (2004). The amazing chateau [CD-ROM]. Montreal, Quebec: McGill University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacques, C., & Ladouceur, R. (2003). DSM-IV-J criteria: A scoring error that may be modifying the estimates of pathological gambling among youths. Journal of Gambling Studies, 19(4), 427–431. doi:10.1023/A:1026332026933.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez-Murcia, S., Álvarez-Moya, E. M., Stinchfield, R., Fernández-Aranda, F., Granero, R., Aymamí, N., et al. (2010). Age of onset in pathological gambling: Clinical, therapeutic and personality correlates. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(2), 235–248. doi:10.1007/s10899-009-9175-3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Ferland, F., & Fournier, P. (2003). Correction of erroneous perceptions among primary school students regarding the notions of chance and randomness in gambling. American Journal of Health Education, 34(5), 272–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Ferland, F., Poulin, C., Vitaro, F., & Wiebe, J. (2005a). Concordance between the SOGS-RA and the DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling among youth. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19(3), 271–276. doi:10.1037/0893-164X.19.3.271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Ferland, F., & Vitaro, F. (2004). Prevention of problem gambling: Modifying misconceptions and increasing knowledge among Canadian youths. Journal of Primary Prevention, 25(3), 329–335. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000048024.37066.32. Accessed 7 January, 2016.

  • Ladouceur, R., Ferland, F., Vitaro, F., & Pelletier, O. (2005b). Modifying youths’ perception toward pathological gamblers. Addictive Behaviors, 30(2), 351–354. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.05.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Goulet, A., & Vitaro, F. (2013). Prevention programmes for youth gambling: a review of the empirical evidence. International Gambling Studies, 13(2), 141–159. doi:10.1080/14459795.2012.740496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langham, E., Thorne, H., Browne, M., Donaldson, P., Rose, J., & Rockloff, M. (2016). Understanding gambling related harm: A proposed definition, conceptual framework, and taxonomy of harms. BMC Public Health, 16. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy1.library.usyd.edu.au/docview/1774001169/abstract/5C01E93F73C440FEPQ/1.

  • Lavoie, M., & Ladouceur, R. (2004). Prevention of gambling among youth: Increasing knowledge and modifying attitudes toward gambling. Journal of Gambling Issues,. doi:10.4309/jgi.2004.10.7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemaire, J., de Lima, S., & Patton, D. (2004). It’s your lucky day: Program evaluation (pp. 1–61). Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.

  • Lupu, I. R., & Lupu, V. (2013). Gambling prevention program for teenagers. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, 13(2a), 575–584.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D.G., & The PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Med 6(7): e1000097. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed1000097.

  • Monaghan, S., & Wood, R. T. A. (2010). Internet-based interventions for youth dealing with gambling problems. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 22(1), 113–128.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nation, M., Crusto, C., Wandersman, A., Kumpfer, K. L., Seybolt, D., Morrissey-Kane, E., et al. (2003). What works in prevention: Principles of effective prevention programs. American Psychologist, 58(6–7), 449–456. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.6-7.449.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. (2008). Quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University. (Updated 13 April, 2010). http://www.nccmt.ca/resources/search/14.

  • Neal, P., Delfabbro, P. H., & O’Neill, M. (2005). Problem gambling and harm: working towards a national definition. Melbourne, Australia: National Ministerial Council on Gambling, South Australian Centre for Economic Studies, & the Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/saces/gambling/publications/ProblemGamblingAndHarmTowardNationalDefinition.pdf.

  • Olason, D. T., Kristjansdottir, E., Einarsdottir, H., Haraldsson, H., Bjarnason, G., & Derevensky, J. L. (2011). Internet gambling and problem gambling among 13 to 18 year old adolescents in Iceland. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9(3), 257–263. doi:10.1007/s11469-010-9280-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purdie, N., Matters, G., Hillman, K., Ozolins, C., & Millwood, P. (2011). Gambling and young people in Australia. Report prepared for Gambling Research Australia. http://www.gamblingresearch.org.au/home/research/gra+research+reports/gambling+and+young+people+in+australia+%282011%29.

  • Slutske, W. S. (2007). Longitudinal studies of gambling behaviour. In G. Smith, D. C. Hodgins, & R. J. Williams (Eds.), Research and measurement issues in gambling studies. Oxford: Academic Press: Elsevier.

  • Slutske, W. S., Jackson, K. M., & Sher, K. J. (2003). The natural history of problem gambling from age 18 to 29. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112(2), 263–274. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.112.2.263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Splevins, K., Mireskandari, S., Clayton, K., & Blaszczynski, A. (2010). Prevalence of adolescent problem gambling, related harms and help-seeking behaviours among an Australian population. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(2), 189–204. doi:10.1007/s10899-009-9169-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sroufe, L. A., Coffino, B., & Carlson, E. A. (2010). Conceptualizing the role of early experience: Lessons from the Minnesota longitudinal study. Developmental Review, 30(1), 36–51. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2009.12.002.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stinchfield, R. (2010). A critical review of adolescent problem gambling assessment instruments. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 22(1), 77–93. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20491419.

  • Taylor, L. M., & Hillyard, P. (2009). Gambling awareness for youth: An analysis of the “Don’t Gamble Away our Future™” program. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 7(1), 250–261. doi:10.1007/s11469-008-9184-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, B. H., Ciliska, D., Dobbins, M., & Micucci, S. (2004). A process for systematically reviewing the literature: Providing the research evidence for public health nursing interventions. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 1(3), 176–184. doi:10.1111/j.1524-475X.2004.04006.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Todirita, I. R., & Lupu, V. (2013). Gambling prevention program among children. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29(1), 161–169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, N., & Liu, E. (1999). The naive human concept of random events. Presented at the 1999 Conference of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

  • Turner, N., Macdonald, J., Bartoshuk, M., & Zangeneh, M. (2008a). The evaluation of a 1-h prevention program for problem gambling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 6(2), 238–243. doi:10.1007/s11469-007-9121-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, N., Macdonald, J., & Somerset, M. (2008b). Life skills, mathematical reasoning and critical thinking: A curriculum for the prevention of problem gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(3), 367–380. doi:10.1007/s10899-007-9085-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walther, B., Hanewinkel, R., & Morgenstern, M. (2013). Short-term effects of a school-based program on gambling prevention in adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 52(5), 599–605. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.11.009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Welte, J. W., Barnes, G. M., Tidwell, M.-C. O., & Hoffman, J. H. (2008). The prevalence of problem gambling among U.S. adolescents and young adults: Results from a national survey. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(2), 119–133. doi:10.1007/s10899-007-9086-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R. J. (2002). Prevention of problem gambling: A school-based intervention. Alberta: Canada: Alberta Gaming Research Institute. https://www.uleth.ca/dspace/handle/10133/370.

  • Williams, R. J., Connolly, D., Wood, R., Currie, S., & Davis, M. (2004). Program findings that inform curriculum development for the prevention of problem gambling. Gambling Research: Journal of the National Association for Gambling Studies (Australia), 16(1), 47–69. https://www.uleth.ca/dspace/handle/10133/372.

  • Williams, R. J., Wood, R. T., & Currie, S. R. (2010). Stacked Deck: An effective, school-based program for the prevention of problem gambling. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 31(3), 109–125. doi:10.1007/s10935-010-0212-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Fulkerson, J. (1993). Toward the development of an adolescent gambling problem severity scale. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(1), 63–84. doi:10.1007/BF01019925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winters, K. C., Stinchfield, R. D., & Kim, L. G. (1995). Monitoring adolescent gambling in Minnesota. Journal of Gambling Studies, 11(2), 165–183. doi:10.1007/BF02107113.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. T., & Williams, R. J. (2007). “How much money do you spend on gambling?” The comparative validity of question wordings used to assess gambling expenditure. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 10(1), 63–77. doi:10.1080/13645570701211209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zorzela, L., Loke, Y. K., Ioannidis, J. P., Golder, S., Santaguida, P., Altman, D. G., et al. (2016). PRISMA harms checklist: Improving harms reporting in systematic reviews. BMJ, 352, i157. doi:10.1136/bmj.i157.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to thank Melanie Hartmann and Lanhowe Chen for their assistance with inter-rater reliability checks for inclusion of studies and quality assessment measures, respectively.

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge DOOLEYS Lidcombe for their financial support to conduct a preliminary scoping report on gambling education programs for adolescents.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Responsible Gambling Research Group, Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney University, 94 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia

    Brittany Keen, Alex Blaszczynski & Fadi Anjoul

Authors
  1. Brittany Keen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alex Blaszczynski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fadi Anjoul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brittany Keen.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Keen, B., Blaszczynski, A. & Anjoul, F. Systematic Review of Empirically Evaluated School-Based Gambling Education Programs. J Gambl Stud 33, 301–325 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9641-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9641-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation