Leisure Time Internet Usage and Online Gambling Addiction: Investigation of Individuals Playing Gambling

Abstract

The aim of the study was examine the effect of online gambling on leisure activities and the levels of online gambling addiction according to the demographic characteristics of individuals. The descriptive scanning model, which was widely used in social sciences, was preferred in this study. The study group included a total of 356 participants, 222 male and 134 female. The participants consisted of university students, individuals who gamble on online platforms, and individuals reached through social media groups. Demografic information form, "Leisure Time Internet Usage" scale and "Online Gambling Addiction" scale were used data collection tool in the study. In the statistical presentation of the data, normality analyses and descriptive statistical analyses, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation test were performed. According to the results, statistically significant differences were found in the variables of gender, education level, welfare status, leisure time period and gambling reason on the leisure time internet usage and online gambling addiction of the gamblers. Statistically significant relationship did not detected between online gambling addiction and leisure time internet usage scales. The research results revealed that the effect of online gambling on individuals' leisure time activities varies according to demographic characteristics and that this situation was an important factor in understanding the lifestyles of individuals with gambling addiction.

Keywords

• Online Gambling
• Leisure Internet Usage
• Gambling Addiction

Boş Zaman İnternet Kullanımı ve Çevrimiçi Kumar Bağımlılığı: Kumar Oynayan Bireylerin İncelenmesi

Öz

Bu araştırmanın amacı, bireylerin demografik özelliklerine göre boş zaman aktivitelerinde internet kumarın etkisini ve internet kumar bağımlılığı düzeylerini incelemektir. Bu çalışmada sosyal bilimlerde yaygın olarak kullanılan betimsel tarama modeli tercih edilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu 222 erkek ve 134 kadın olmak üzere toplam 356 katılımcı yer almıştır. Katılımcılar, üniversite öğrencileri, internet platformlarında kumar oynayan bireyler ve sosyal medya grupları aracılığıyla ulaşılan bireylerden oluşmuştur. Çalışmada veri toplama aracı olarak demografik bilgi formu, "Boş Zaman İnternet Kullanımı" ölçeği ve "İnternet Kumar Bağımlılığı" ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Verilerin istatistiksel sunumunda normallik analizleri ve betimsel istatistiksel analizler, bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve Pearson korelasyon testi yapılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda, kumar oynayan bireylerin Boş zaman internet kullanımı ve internet kumar bağımlılıklarına bağlı olarak cinsiyet, eğitim düzeyi, maddi durum, serbest zaman süresi ve şans oyunu oynama sebepleri değişkenlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. İnternet kumar bağımlılığı ile boş zaman internet kullanımı ölçekleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulunamamıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, internette oynanan kumarın bireylerin boş zaman aktiviteleri üzerindeki etkisinin demografik özelliklere göre farklılık gösterdiğini ve bu durumun kumar bağımlılığının bireylerin yaşam biçimlerini anlamada önemli bir faktör olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İnternet Kumarı
• Serbest Zaman İnternet Kullanımı
• Kumar Bağımlılığı

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