Reason for ending gambling sessions: Had something else to do

[mu_enrico]

Interesting findings from "A national survey of online gambling behaviours" by Columb & O'Gara (2017)

A total of 208 users participated in the online survey. The most popular gambling activity played was Sports Betting (26.9%) and the most commonly used device was Mobile app (68.6%). The main reason for gambling online was ‘To win money’ (84.6%), the main reason for ending gambling sessions – ‘Had something else to do’ (67.3%) and the most prominent emotion experienced – Excitement (60.6%). There were findings related to the severity of gambling addiction (75% – had to borrow or sell to fund gambling) and their attitudes towards online gambling (strongly agreed – 39.9% – The potential dangers of gambling should be advertised).

Source: https://sci-hub.tw/10.1017/ipm.2017.64

* Sportsbetting via a mobile app is the mainstream;
* Main reason to gamble is to win money; and
* Contrary to my belief, the most popular reason for ending gambling sessions is "had something else to do," and not because "running out of money."

If you think about it:
* Gambling is a time-wasting activity; and
* To stop gambling, keep yourself occupied with something.

What do you think about the above findings?

[Genemind]

I used to gamble on my free time before, and now that most of my time is occupied by my job, which I would rather choose to rest than to gamble since it is exhausting, I barely open any gambling site or even play poker with my friends. Diversion can help lessen or stop gambling addiction. It is either you let yourself drowning from gambling addiction or you set your priorities straight.

[mersal]

That's an interesting stats to know, the number of people who participated on the survey is not huge but its still the replica of most of the gamblers emotions and behaviors.Its true that if we want to stop something then we have to spend more time on other things and gambling is no exception to that.Hope this might helps for someone who wants to stop gambling.

[plvbob0070]

This is kinda interesting to see. But maybe those who answered they have something else to do that's why they stop, are gamblers who are not that addicted to gambling. Because if they are, they will always make time to gamble. But seeing their reason, it's obvious that gambling is not their priority. Perhaps they want to win money, but when they have something else to do, they will stop.

I guess I understand why they have that reason because personally, I would also stop gambling because I have something else to do. It's like, I have other priorities that I need to focus on rather than gambling. Running out of money can also be a reason, but if you are a smart gambler, you don't want to reach the point that you're running out of money before you will stop.

[Lassie]

I love gambling in the past, however I stopped playing because of money issues and now I rather spend my hard earned money on whatever I need instead. I realize that I have been on huge loss trying to win some extra cash. I think in the survey, lots of people said "had something else to do" is just afraid to admit that they dont have money to gamble anymore

[milewilda]

* Contrary to my belief, the most popular reason for ending gambling sessions is "had something else to do," and not because "running out of money."

That line "had something else to do" is just purely an excuse to those people who had been surveyed because most of them knows the truth that they dont have any money to play further on a particular day.
Its no surprising about high percentage when it comes to the true motive on why people do gamble which is always to make money.

[yazher]

Most people when they occupied themselves self with something else other than what they used to do, become pro on what that thing is and they will become beginner on what they used to do. Like for example, I know someone who was known to be a great guitarist. this man has stopped playing for quite some years now because he is busy with something else that caught his attention to leaves his old habit. When he asked to play some music with the guitar, man! you're not gonna believe this man was a known guitarist. he is playing guitar like a kid nowadays. this is the case for some people. If we want to leave gambling, we need to occupy ourselves with something else that will let us forget everything about gambling and become better on that new thing.

[Wexnident]

Tbh, the only people who would gamble inspite of them needing to do something else that is much more important than gambling are only those that addicted to it or are about to be addicted. This just goes to show how the majority of the gambling community are addicts. In fact, we are all pretty much experienced at this point and has come to realize that gambling is just a game of sorts, not a job. Yes, it can be a source of money, but that's it. It isn't supposed to be the main pathway of our lives to money. Sure, there could be professional gamblers here and there but they only amount to a few. A majority of gamblers are those that chose gambling as a source of side income or just for entertainment, just like in the survey and that's it.

[BlackFor3st]

Interesting findings from "A national survey of online gambling behaviours" by Columb & O'Gara (2017)

A total of 208 users participated in the online survey. The most popular gambling activity played was Sports Betting (26.9%) and the most commonly used device was Mobile app (68.6%). The main reason for gambling online was ‘To win money’ (84.6%), the main reason for ending gambling sessions – ‘Had something else to do’ (67.3%) and the most prominent emotion experienced – Excitement (60.6%). There were findings related to the severity of gambling addiction (75% – had to borrow or sell to fund gambling) and their attitudes towards online gambling (strongly agreed – 39.9% – The potential dangers of gambling should be advertised).

Source: https://sci-hub.tw/10.1017/ipm.2017.64

* Sportsbetting via a mobile app is the mainstream;
* Main reason to gamble is to win money; and
* Contrary to my belief, the most popular reason for ending gambling sessions is "had something else to do," and not because "running out of money."

If you think about it:
* Gambling is a time-wasting activity; and
* To stop gambling, keep yourself occupied with something.

What do you think about the above findings?

It's a good tip and I am also surprised with the result especially the reason in quitting gambling which is "had something else to do", this data can be use by gambling addicts who would like to stop for good. Meaning they can just look for something that will make them occupied so they can end their gambling addiction.

With regards to main reason why  we gamble, I am not that surprise with it knowing that there are many greedy people who like to earn an easy money and gambling is one of the best shortcut if you will just keep on winning.

[Upgrade00]

Since a lot of people gamble using their mobile phones, it could also be a major distraction. I regularly study using my mobile device, but noticed that I concentrate better while using a book, than an eBook. To keep gamblers glued to a small screen for a long time, the platform would have to offer a variety of attracting options, or their attention would be taken by some other app. So even if one has free time off work, they may still have something else to do other than gambling.

[dothebeats]

203 gamblers is a small sample size to obtain a relevant study from tbh. Nevertheless, if the sampling is completely random at best, we can say that the study bears true-to-life responses at the least that really happens in the life of a gambler. The study's purpose is quite good, though the poster re: the potential dangers of gambling would be ignored if people realize that the number of those who responded is very little to make a solid point.

Anyway, it's not really surprising that gamblers would have something else to do in their time that's why they stop playing. I myself know this as I usually play on my phone and just leave it in my desk or in my locker whenever I need to go back to the lab. Of course, I also stop playing when I no longer have the funds to do so, as it's basically irresponsible gambling to borrow money in hopes of making it big in that particular gambling session.

[mu_enrico]

That line "had something else to do" is just purely an excuse to those people who had been surveyed because most of them knows the truth that they dont have any money to play further on a particular day.

Let's see the result:

* "Had something else to do" (67.3% – 140 participants);
* "Lost too much money" (41.3% – 86 participants);
* "Reached a target" (38.0% – 79 participants);
* Run out of money (37.5% – 78 participants);
* Won a lot of money (36.1% – 75 participants);
* Tiredness (28.8% – 60 participants);
* Frustration (27.9% – 58 participants); and
* Boredom (26.0% – 54 participants).

Source

Since participants can pick more than one answer, then perhaps "had something else to do" is always chosen, then they picked either "lost too much money" or "run out of money," that's possible I think.

203 gamblers is a small sample size to obtain a relevant study from tbh.

Agree, this survey is like a pilot study at best. At least, it's better than a forum poll.
I'll try to search for another interesting study about gambling (preferably quantitative one). Wish me luck

[rhomelmabini]

Since the survey was way back 2017 I think there will be changes on how gamblers do behave these year or the past year but that survey was an interesting one. I've read further on the paper and interesting that after the question ‘Which of the following aspects
of the gambling experience are important to you?’, enjoyment is next to to win money. So we can say, that these people been surveyed are not only after money but the fun the get while gambling.

I'll just quote here as well the conclusion of the study:

Conclusions: Online gamblers in Ireland share similar behavioural profiles to online gamblers in the United Kingdom
and worldwide. The majority of participants in this research have been adversely affected from both a mental and
financial perspective due to their gambling behaviours.

[swogerino]

I think that maybe that “had something else to do” is not that strong to believe.I start from my own personal experience and that of my friends that we all end our gambling session when we end our money.We are not that greedy to recharge our balance again and we call it a day and quit.I think more gamblers fit into this category rather than the “had something else to do”

[LbtalkL]

Yes, it is true gambling is sometimes a time-wasting activity just for fun but for other people maybe not, it is a source of their income. We have different statuses in life so we have a different definition of gambling we just need to respect each other perspective on gambling. If you have daily work about 8 to 10 hours a day I think we are pretty occupied and no time for gambling anymore. I guess majority of the gamblers do not gamble every day only if they have free time or day off. Much better if you are a freelancer or business owner you have all the time.

[bittraffic]

Now those who won a lot of money who are about 75 participants are the luckiest if these 75 gamblers are among those who says they had something else to do and so they stop gambling. That's a good number. 

These ar just survey though, how do they know thse peopl are saying th truth specially if some of them says they frustrated whn in fact they run out of money already.

[Oilacris]

Now those who won a lot of money who are about 75 participants are the luckiest if these 75 gamblers are among those who says they had something else to do and so they stop gambling. That's a good number.  

These ar just survey though, how do they know thse peopl are saying th truth specially if some of them says they frustrated whn in fact they run out of money already.

Truth about when it comes to surveys yet you wouldnt know if those words are not lies or alibis on some people.

* "Had something else to do" (67.3% – 140 participants);
* "Lost too much money" (41.3% – 86 participants);
* "Reached a target" (38.0% – 79 participants);
* Run out of money (37.5% – 78 participants);
* Won a lot of money (36.1% – 75 participants);
* Tiredness (28.8% – 60 participants);
* Frustration (27.9% – 58 participants); and
* Boredom (26.0% – 54 participants).

Basing up on the results which these are just on the same category but since its been mentioned by those surveyors then it do counts.
Just surprised to those people who say about boredom thing.

[20kevin20]

Now those who won a lot of money who are about 75 participants are the luckiest if these 75 gamblers are among those who says they had something else to do and so they stop gambling. That's a good number. 
~

No, that's a very bad number clearly showing how a significant number of people only stop gambling when they have some other thing to do like cooking or whatever else. It explains that they would basically continue to gamble if there wasn't another activity they had to do, and that proves their addiction..

~
* Main reason to gamble is to win money; and
* Contrary to my belief, the most popular reason for ending gambling sessions is "had something else to do," and not because "running out of money."
~

Well, running out of money apparently leads to the result of this survey: "75% – had to borrow or sell to fund gambling", so it makes sense. Lots of gamblers are buried deep in debts.

[Chlotide]

I find this to be a load of bs. I never heard a gambler / betting man say "had to make french fries and learn knitting... there was just not enough time to place my bet!" cmon...

The psychology of gamblers is a science on it's own...
I found that for me i had little to no remource when losing. I was more upset about not winning than actually throwing away the money. Winning released tons of endorphins and was ecstatic. Losing almost left me numb.

Have not set foot in a casino for 4 years now. Please do not direct me to a good sign up bonus )

[20kevin20]

I find this to be a load of bs. I never heard a gambler / betting man say "had to make french fries and learn knitting... there was just not enough time to place my bet!" cmon...
~

Does a gambler carry his casino with him in the shower/while cooking/while getting ready for a job? I don't think so - and this is probably why they only stop when some other activity interrupts them from gambling. There's just a time when you have to stop, you can't continue a gambling session forever.. I guess it's common sense.