Some may argue that gambling is a sport, but to say it’s healthy is a risky bet. But if you play the slots you may be gambling for more than money, it could be your health. In a survey of more than 2,000 gamblers, released today (Oct. 6, 2014), people who play the slots have the poorest health. They smoke more, exercise less and have the highest body mass index (BMI). Female slot-machine players drink more than any other gambling group surveyed.
Is their health is linked to the sedentary nature of slot machines? Or does their poor health status makes slot machines an attractive pass time? It’s not clear as to causality.
The survey found that average BMIs, health and lifestyle choices such as smoking, exercise and drinking varied dramatically depending on the survey participants game of choice. Sam Marsden, editor of Jackpot.co.uk, said: «There’s an undeniable link connecting passive games like slots and video poker to unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. On the other hand, games that require concentration, strategy and some physical stamina like poker and blackjack seem to fare much better in the health stakes. It seems it’s less a case of ‘you are what you eat’ and more ‘you are what you play.'»
So who were the healthiest gamblers? Poker players came out ahead by more than a few chips when it comes to BMI when compared other gamblers in the United Kingdom. They are very exercise conscious, with 58 per cent engaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.
Both poker and slot machine players tend to drink more than the recommended amounts. Overall slots players drink the most, with 24.1 per cent drinking over the recommended weekly limit, with poker players not far behind on 23 per cent. As noted, female slots players were the biggest drinking subgroup, closely followed by male poker players.
The study authors believe that the increased use of tablets and mobile devises for gambling could allow people to stay more active and less sedentary. The most common platform on which to play casino games was the desktop computer at 65 per cent, with just over 20 per cent playing on mobiles and tablets and only 14 per cent going to actual casinos. However, desktop use was linked to higher levels of obesity, drinking and smoking. It is thought that, as the use of mobile devices continues to increase, health levels could improve among gamblers as a group.
Here is a quick flash of the survey results:
Poker players have one of the lowest BMIs of all gamblers and exercise the most, while nearly three quarters of slots players and video poker players fail to meet recommended guidelines for physical activity.
Female slots and video poker players and male poker players all exceed the recommended weekly limit of alcohol units.
24 per cent of slots players are regular smokers, above the national UK average of 20 per cent (in the US it is 18.1%).
Poker, baccarat and pai gow players, have an average BMI of 25 or under — within the normal range recommended by the World Health Organization. But roulette, blackjack, video poker and craps/dice players are not far behind slots players, each having BMI levels higher than the national average.
Slots players also smoke more, with 24 per cent being regular smokers. Blackjack and roulette players smoke slightly more than average, on 21 and 22 per cent respectively, while poker players smoke slightly less than average, on 19.5 per cent.
