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Comparing the New Zealand and Swedish National Surveys of Gambling and Problem Gambling

Journal of Gambling Studies volume 20, pages 237–258 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

National surveys of gambling and problem gambling have recently been completed in New Zealand and Sweden. These studies are unique in that data collection was undertaken by official government statistical agencies, involved large, nationally representative samples, and attained high response rates. Comparison of the findings is facilitated by the use of similar procedures and instrumentation and is of interest in that both countries have similar per capita gambling expenditure and welfare states that have recently undergone major economic and social restructuring. Data on gambling participation, problem gambling prevalence and risk factors for problem gambling are presented and discussed. While there are a number of similarities and differences, the Swedish findings are more similar to those of an earlier national survey conducted in New Zealand during 1991. This suggests that risk factors are changing over time in relation to evolving patterns of gambling participation and attitudes towards gambling, a finding that has implications for future patterns of gambling and problem gambling in these and other countries.

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Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

    Max W. Abbott

  2. Gemini Research, Ltd., Northampton, MA, U.S.A

    Rachel A. Volberg

  3. Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis Ltd., Solna, Sweden

    Sten Rönnberg

Authors
  1. Max W. Abbott
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  2. Rachel A. Volberg
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  3. Sten Rönnberg
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Abbott, M.W., Volberg, R.A. & Rönnberg, S. Comparing the New Zealand and Swedish National Surveys of Gambling and Problem Gambling. J Gambl Stud 20, 237–258 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOGS.0000040278.08853.c0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOGS.0000040278.08853.c0

  • gambling
  • problem gambling prevalence
  • pathological gambling
  • cross-cultural comparisons