Gambling among employees in Swedish workplaces: A cross-sectional study

Responsible workplaces strive to minimize the harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse. However, gambling is still a neglected area in workplace research. This study describes workplace gambling and investigates variables associated with at-risk and problem gambling (ARPG) and knowing about colleagues who gambles during work, using cross-sectional data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial on gambling prevention in the workplace (N=3,629).

Measures included ARPG and knowledge about colleagues who gamble during work.

Of the respondents, 168 (4.7%) knew of someone who gambles at work. Knowing about a colleague who gambles during work was more common among employees who were men (odds ratio [OR] 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.07-4.29), aged 16-34 years (OR 1.97; 95% CI, 1.19-3.28), knew about a gambling policy (OR 1.57; 95% CI, 1.03-2.39), and who themselves were classified as ARPGs (OR 2.95; 95% CI, 1.60-5.35). Similarly, being classified as an ARPG was significantly associated with being a man (OR 2.14; 95% CI, 1.43-3.20), aged 16-34 (OR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.21-4.54) or 35-44 (OR 2.36; 95% CI, 1.30-4.27) years, being a subordinate (OR 2.53; 95% CI, 1.02-6.30), and knowing about a colleague who gambles during work (OR 4.02; 95% CI, 2.38-6.79).

Gambling during work is a prevalent phenomenon. Organizations should consider implementing gambling policies that facilitate helping workers who are problem gamblers. To determine policy contents and measures to implement, the type of gambling and its effect on employees should be explored.