Date preliminare cu privire la activitățile de joc de noroc la adolescenți în cadrul unui lot de studiu din Galați, România [Articol]

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in adolescent participation in gambling activities, particularly with in the virtual environment, where accessibility is facilitated by mobile devices, and game design is inspired by video games. Although gambling is illegal for minors, the prevalence of this activity remains high. Risk factors for problematic gambling include individual behaviors (alcohol consumption, depression, impulsivity), relational factors (antisocial behaviors), and community-level influences (reduced academic performance). In Romania, sports betting and lottery games are the most frequently practiced forms, which contribute to the development of illusions of control and subsequently foster problematic gambling behaviors. This study, employing an analytical cross-sectional methodology, aims to obtain preliminary data regarding gambling behavior among adolescents aged 14 to 18 years in Galați city, Romania. It identified a prevalence rate of 33.64% for gambling within the past 12 months, with the highest occurrence in the 17–18 age group. These findings highlight the urgent need to implement preventive interventions and to conduct a comprehensive national epidemiological study to inform effective public health strategies.