Characteristics of adolescent gambling

Jedan od fenomena koji obilježavaju današnja društva je sve veća popularnost igara na sreću. Unatoč tome što većina zemalja zakonski zabranjuje kockanje maloljetnicima, oni učestalo i aktivno sudjeluju u aktivnostima kockanja i klađenja. Ovaj rad još je jedan doprinos ovom istraživačkom području. U radu je napravljen pregled glavnih obilježja kockanja kod adolescenata na temelju dostupne domaće i strane literature. Cilj rada bio je pružiti detaljan uvid u karakter i specifičnosti kockanja u adolescentskoj dobi. Podaci pokazuju da je u svijetu 50-83% mladih kockalo barem jednom u životu, 10- 15% je u riziku od razvoja problematičnog kockanja, dok 2-8% ima ozbiljnih problema s kockanjem. Razvoj negativnog ishoda ovisi o skupu individualnih, obiteljskih i okolinskih čimbenika, rizičnih i zaštitnih, koji su u neprestanom međudjelovanju. Uz kockanje gotovo uvijek paralelno egzistira i neki drugi oblik rizičnog ponašanja, a mladići su se pokazali rizičnijima za razvoj problematičnog kockanja u odnosu na djevojke. Hoće li kockanje biti samo dio adolescentskog iskustva ili će se zadržati kao trajna navika u budućnosti, ne treba prepustiti slučaju, već sveobuhvatnim preventivnim aktivnostima djelovati na razvoj otpornosti kod mladih kako bi mogli donositi odgovorne odluke.Increasing popularity in games of chance is one of phenomena that characterize today's society. Youngsters are often active participants of gambling and betting activities despite legal prohibition of underage gambling in most countries. This paper is another contribution to this research area. The paper is an overview of main features of adolescent gambling based on the available national and international data. The aim was to provide elaborate insight into the nature and specifics of adolescent gambling behaviour. The data show that 50-83% of young people in the world gambled at least once in their lifetime, 10-15% is at risk of developing problem gambling, while 2-8% have serious gambling problems. Development of negative outcome depends on a set of risk and protective factors, individual, family and environmental, which are in constant interaction. Gambling almost always coexists with some other type of risk behaviour and boys are proven to be more at risk from developing gambling problems. Will gambling only be part of youth exsperience or will it remain as permanent habit in the future should not be left to chance. Adolescents need comprehensive prevention activities that will encourage development of their resistance so they could make responsible decisions