What characterises the expectations of gamblers?

This paper investigates the expectations of gamblers who have a risk attitude towards gambling (problem gamblers) and gamblers without a risk attitude (non-problem gamblers). In a representative survey of the Danish population we have selected all the people who have ever gambled. We classify the gamblers to have a risk attitude towards gambling if they have a positive score according to the NODS screening instrument (see appendix 1). In the questionnaire, some questions are asked to all the gamblers and some questions are asked specifically to the gamblers who have a positive NODS score and thus, a risk attitude towards gambling. Based on the information from the survey there are several ways to carry out some logical tests around the elicited expectations. An interesting question is how gamblers perceive their chances of winning and the likely gains they can obtain. We investigate whether the gamblers have erroneous thoughts of gambling, their subjective estimates of the return rates of the games, expected gains and motives of consumption and investment for playing. These aspects will help to create a picture of how rational the gamblers are and whether there are significant differences between problem gamblers and non-problem gamblers.