Work

Social identification on gambling websites as a correlate of gambling problems: A global cross-national study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The global expansion of online gambling highlights gaps in our understanding of the social psychological mechanisms in digital environments that are associated with gambling-related harm. This study examined whether participation in gambling websites and identification with other online gamblers are associated with problem gambling, and whether these associations are consistent across cultural contexts. Method Data were collected from 12 countries (Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, the USA, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, and South Africa). The analytic sample comprised respondents who reported participating in online gambling (N = 3,349). Mixed-effects negative binomial regression was used to test associations between predictors and problem gambling, identified by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), and structural equation modeling assessed indirect associations. Models controlled for loneliness (UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale), psychological distress (MHI-5), gender, age, and employment status. Results Visiting gambling websites, stronger social identification with other online gamblers, higher loneliness, greater psychological distress, and younger age were independently associated with gambling problems, and these associations were consistent across countries. Visiting gambling websites was indirectly associated with gambling problems through social identification with other online gamblers, suggesting that social identification processes may be linked to gambling-related harm. Conclusions The findings highlight the social nature of online environments in relation to gambling problems and point to the importance of considering social identity factors in harm-reduction strategies. Cross-national evidence is crucial for understanding these processes and developing culturally sensitive interventions.

Source: Computers in Human Behavior Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101419