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. 2024 Jun;40(2):571-585.
doi: 10.1007/s10899-023-10234-x. Epub 2023 Jun 27.

Two for the GOES: Exploring Gambling Outcome Expectancies Scores Across Mixed and Offline-Only Gamblers in Relation to Problem Gambling Risk Status

Andrea C Richardson  1 , Mal Flack  1   2 , Kim M Caudwell  3   4
Affiliations

Two for the GOES: Exploring Gambling Outcome Expectancies Scores Across Mixed and Offline-Only Gamblers in Relation to Problem Gambling Risk Status

Andrea C Richardson et al. J Gambl Stud. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

As online gambling becomes more prevalent, understanding the motives of online gamblers has become a key focus for research and practice. The aim of this study was to understand differences in gambling-related outcome expectancies between mixed (both online and offline) gamblers and offline-only gamblers, by incorporating gambling harm risk categories from the problem gambling severity index (PGSI). This study comprised a secondary data analysis of the 2015 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey. A sample of 1207 individuals in the Northern Territory who had reported gambling at least once in the previous 12 months were used in the analyses. General linear and structural equation modelling were used to ascertain differences in gambling outcome expectancies, in relation to gambling modality (i.e., mixed, offline-only) and PGSI scores. Mixed gamblers tended to score higher on all outcome expectancies than their offline-only counterparts. Outcome expectancy scores were higher in individuals in higher-risk PGSI categories. The escape outcome expectancy was dependent on both modality and risk category. Invariance testing of a low and problem gambling risk subsample revealed differential relationships for both the escape and excitement outcome expectancies for mixed and offline-only gamblers. The results provide an important contribution to the existing literature regarding motivation and outcome expectancies in relation to gambling modality and problem gambling severity. The findings highlight the importance of considering both gambling outcome expectancies and modality when considering problem gambling.

Keywords: Gambling; Gambling-related harm; Motivation; Online gambling; Outcome expectancies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Means plots for each of the GOES subscales, by PGSI category, between mixed and offline-only gamblers. A significant interaction effect was observed for the Escape subscale only (p = .002)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Path model showing standardised estimates from GOES subscales to log-transformed PGSI scores. *p < .05
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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