Study about actual Internet Poker gambling behavior

Published on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 7:38:27 AM

Results from the first study of actual Internet Poker gambling behavior, based on a group of 3,445 Internet poker players during a period of 2 years time will now be presented. The study, made by The Division of Addiction, which is part of Cambridge Health Alliance and cooperates with Harvard Medical School. The purpose of the study has been to create a scientific database for questions concerning both gambling-and addiction-related research and is brought forward together with the leading gaming company bwin.

The results shown in the study reveals:

1) The myth that online gaming is more addicted than other forms of gaming has empirical proven the opposite. Online gaming doesn't have a greater potential to develop gamling addiction than other forms of gaming.

2) That information and investments within responsible gaming shows a positive result

The study which has analysed the actual behavior of a poker player during a two year period is so far the most in depth study within the area.

The players acts rational

"In the study we find facts which supports earlier studies which says that most online players are rational players. It means that the players betting and time spent at the poker table is based upon the result". When the calculated loss increases, the player stakes and time spent playing decreases, says Howard Shaffer, professor at Harvard Medical School.

- The average age of the players were 27,9 years and 95% were men. The typical poker player played actively during 6,5 months and participated in a game every third day. The average stake was €13 per game with a starting fee of €1,80.

- The most active players, a smaller subgroup of 5%, were active 18,5 months and participated in 10 games per week.

- The group of High Rollers lost, calculated as a percentage, less money than the average player which concludes that knowledge has a bigger importance to the result than random play.

- Even the result of the High Rollers affected their stakes; an indication of rational behavior.

"We want to replace the speculations about gaming addiction with pure facts and this study takes us a large step closer to understanding the behavior of a poker player. In the end we want to discover deviant player behavior and risk patterns which can indicate gaming addiction. This gives us the opportunity to act in time and secure a responsible gaming environment", says Manfred Bodner, Head of Chief at bwin.