Gambling motivation and involvement: A review of social

is epidemiological and psychological, often with a social learning perspective. It will
therefore not be discussed here.
As to the gambling of senior citizens, the academic literature is more diversified
[344, 345]. Some of it is psychological and some discusses senior gambling as a
potential social and public health problem. There are, however, a few studies that
explore social and cultural aspects of the gambling of elderly people. Typically, these
studies conclude that gambling is of some positive value in the life of senior citizens
[197, 346–351]. Gambling offers easily accessible, safe and relatively inexpensive
entertainment that enhances quality of life, may help to break social isolation, and
may have positive health effects.
RELEvancE tO pRObLEm GambLinG StudiES
Ethnographic studies of gambling among ethnic minority groups provide valuable
knowledge of the motives for partaking in gambling and about the determinants of
various levels of involvement. Such studies give hints about risk factors for developing
and retaining gambling problems. A limitation, however, is that virtually all the
studies are problem-centered and concern ethnic groups where there is relatively
high involvement in gambling. Apparently, there are no studies of minority ethnic
groups that play less than citizens in general and have lower than average prevalence
of gambling problems. Cultural factors that protect against problem gambling are
thus not explored. These may include religious, moralistic or ethical factors, and
may apply differently to men compared to women. Some of the studies on the gambling
of the elderly explore the positive consequences of gambling, which is unusual
in a field where most attention is directed at negative consequences and problems.
Historical studies and literature history
Historical studies of gambling are quite similar to ethnographic studies, as they
describe particular gambling practices, say something about gamblers’ behavior and
attitudes, and tell about the cultural, societal and organizational context. Such studies
have explored gambling among the wealthy in revolutionary Paris [352], the
gentry in old Virginia [353], the people of medieval Spain [354], Indians in North
America [355] and in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica [356], lottery buyers in 19th
century Europe [357] and early 20th century Sweden [358], the people and aristocracy
of 18th century France [359, 360], British workers at the end of the 19th and
beginning of the 20th centuries [64], Australian colonists in the early 19th century
[89], dice players in Roman antiquity [361], Faro players in 19th century western
USA [362], people in ancient and medieval Jewish society [363, 364], people in the
colonial Philippines [365], Victorian bookmakers and their customers in England
54 G A M B L I N G M O T I VAT I O N A N D I N V O LV E M E N T