Trends and Gender Differences in Gambling with Money between 2018 and 2021: A Population-Based Study among 60,331 Spanish Adolescents.

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence of gambling with money; the factors associated with gambling; and the time trends prevalence of gambling in the period 2018 to 2021 focusing on gender differences. Data from 60,331 adolescents from a Nationwide Population-Based Study (ESTUDES) conducted in 2019 and 2021 in Spain were analyzed. The main exposure was the self-report of gambling with money. We analyzed sociodemographic characteristics, gambling related variables, and videogames and internet related variables. Multivariable models adjusted for several variables, as gambling modalities or gender, were applied. Gambling with money declined generally among adolescents, but for some subgroups an increase was observed, as for videogames players, esports spectators or players (changes:2.4%, 1.3%, 1.8% respectively) and those with internet gaming disorders (change:1.0%) (P<.001). Among the associated factors with greater likelihood to report any type of gambling, the four with higher odds were: males compared to females (OR 3.71, 95%CI 3.39-4.06), aging 17-18 years old compared to 14-16 (OR 1.89, 95%CI 1.76-2.02), being an esports player compared to no use of videogame (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.32-1.6) or having internet gaming disorder (OR 1.45, 95%CI 1.29-1.63). In female adolescents, the new profile with a higher likelihood of gambling includes videogame players, esport spectator and/or player, and presence of internet gaming disorders. Health and social services should aim to prevent and identify addictive behaviors early, especially in this new profile.