The British Journal of Criminology 27:401-410 (1987)
© 1987 Centre for Crime & Justice Studies (formerly ISTD)
RESEARCH-ARTICLE |
YOUNG OFFENDERS, GAMBLING AND VIDEO GAME PLAYING
A Survey in a Youth Custody Centre

*Friern Hospital London
Department of Human Science, Brunel University
The gambling/video playing behaviour of 100 trainees in ayouth custody centre was surveyed. Twenty-three per cent. of those who gambled (i.e. 60 per cent. of the full sample) and 21 per cent. of those playing video games (also 60per cent.) said they had committed an offence to finance their habit. "Criminal" video game players were the most distinctive sub-group: differences between them and "non-criminal" players included their being younger, having started playing earlier, more frequently spending all their money playing, and reporting more relationship problems. Gamblers, both "criminal" and "non-criminal", appeared more homogeneous and to have fewer problems. An explanation is suggestedwhile gambling is incorporated into the national culture, video game playing is a recent phenomenon forming its own subculture which may intensity the problems of its adherents. It is also pointed out that causal links between gambling/video game playing and crime have yet to be established, and finally the need to obtain objective data on these behviours is indicated.
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
B. SCHISSEL Betting Against Youth: The Effects of Socioeconomic Marginality on Gambling among Young People Youth Society, June 1, 2001; 32(4): 473 - 491. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
