Pathways to Development of Problem Gambling among Chinese Gamblers in Hong Kong: Validation of the Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) Model

This study investigated the pathway to development of problem gambling in treatment-seeking gamblers attending a self-help group in Hong Kong. A total of 17 problem gamblers (15 men, 2 women; aged from 22 to 58 years) were interviewed and categorized according to the Blaszczynski and Nower (2002) pathways model. It was found that the majority of treatment-seeking gamblers were behaviorally conditioned gamblers. Gamblers of this type often reported an early involvement in gambling during childhood as part of family activities. They recalled an early win in their gambling history. Unlike gamblers with emotional problems in the Wood and Griffiths (2007) study, behaviorally conditioned gamblers exhibited little or no emotional problems before the onset of gambling problems. Further, their excessive gambling appears to be confounded with poor decision-making and a lack of effective coping skills. The findings of the current study also highlight the importance of family upbringing in the development of problem gambling.