A Mapping Review of Research on Gambling Harm in Three Regulatory Environments

Course overview

This course delves into harmful gambling through a bibliometric analysis of research from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, countries with distinct gambling regulatory frameworks. Guided by the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (CFHG), students will explore the complex interplay of psychological, biological, and environmental factors contributing to gambling harm, and how these are shaped by jurisdictional policies. Over 1,400 articles published between 2008 and 2017 are analyzed to identify differences in research emphasis, such as the focus on individual responsibility in government-operated systems versus harm reduction in privately operated models. Special focus is given to how public health approaches versus commercial gambling priorities influence national research agendas and their implications for harm prevention. Students will also investigate trends in gambling harm, treatment interventions, and regulatory impacts on research priorities. This course is ideal for those in addiction studies, public health, and social policy, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on global gambling harm and its regulation.