Gambling motivation and involvement: A review of social

The notion of “pathological gambling” as a medical and individual problem is
the subject of critique in numerous cultural studies and works discussing the scientific
concepts and paradigms used both in problem gambling research and in current
political discourse [394, 396–406]. While such discussions may not tell much about
the motivations of gamblers and the determinants of gambling involvement, they
raise important questions about how excessive gambling may be viewed in a more
general light, and about the position of researchers in the societal, and thus to some
extent inevitably ideological, production of knowledge. Reflection on these questions
is of benefit since it helps to view pieces of knowledge building in their wider
epistemological and cultural context.
Finally, there are works that analyze cultural dimensions of contemporary gambling
settings with a focus on design and cultural geographical space [407–411].
While not investigating gambling as activity, these studies concern the symbolism
of places constructed for gambling and how gambling interacts with the socio-geographic
environment. Large-scale commercial gambling may significantly shape city-
scapes as well as the distribution and flow of human beings in geographical space
[409]. This impact – evident in places such as Las Vegas and Macao – is a subject of
human geography.
RELEvancE tO pRObLEm GambLinG StudiES
Cultural studies are a mixed bag of observation and ideas. Their usefulness for
investigations of gambling involvement and problem gambling is of the same general
kind as that of historical studies. That is, there is no direct relevance but good cultural
studies encourage us to reflect on the role of gambling in society and culture.
The production of knowledge about excessive gambling is inevitably colored by the
society in which it takes place and current cultural values. Being conscious about the
societal and cultural framing of science is of benefit as it helps researchers to view
their contributions in the wider epistemological context.
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