Exploring groups of simulated gambling behaviour: a typological study among Danish adolescents

Using cluster analysis techniques, this study examined the differences and similarities in simulated gambling involvement in a sample of Danish adolescents. The data was collected through a survey of simulated gambling behaviour among a representative sample of Danish adolescents aged 12–16 (n = 755). A hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in three groups of young simulated gamblers: Occasional simulated gamblers (67.7%), involved simulated gamblers (15.7%), and potentially disordered simulated gamblers (16.6%). The occasional simulated gamblers group was characterized by a low level of simulated gambling involvement, occasional play with no monetary investment, and no signs of problematic gaming. The involved and potentially disordered simulated gambler groups showed higher degrees of involvement in simulated gambling, with the potentially disordered simulated gamblers showing a higher play frequency and a higher risk of problematic gaming and of monetary gambling problems. These indications of heterogeneity may serve as a starting point for further analyses of groups of young simulated gamblers, as the identified groups need further testing and refinement with representative data from other jurisdictions and the integration of supplementary variables. The main findings carry implications for policy and intervention, as the subgroups of simulated gamblers may assist in identifying those young people who are most at risk for developing gambling-related problems.