Youth gambling in Hong Kong : prevalence, psychosocial correlates, and prevention

Abstract

Purpose: Youth gambling has long been considered a risk behavior and public health concern. Compared to Western literature, empirical studies on youth gambling in Hong Kong are scarce. The present review paper aims to provide an overall picture about the prevalence rates and psychosocial correlates of Hong Kong young people's gambling behaviors, as well as existing prevention/intervention measures. Methods: We searched literature in four major databases (PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, PsycINFO, and Web of Science), government documents and commissioned research reports. A total of 28 published papers on youth gambling in Hong Kong were identified and reviewed. Results: The results showed that a high percentage of Hong Kong youth involved in gambling activities and the prevalence rate of problem/pathological gambling was comparable to the global findings. Risk factors at individual, family and peer, and environmental levels were identified which provide useful information for the development of prevention strategies targeting youth gambling. While intervention and prevention services are available in Hong Kong, programmes specifically designed for young people are limited. Conclusions: The findings suggest that there is a need to conduct longitudinal studies based a more representative sample of adolescents in Hong Kong with consistent measures and cut-off criterion.