Majority Support Allowing Cannabis Lounges in Casinos, According to Poll Results
In a recent survey conducted by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, 70% of respondents expressed support for allowing cannabis use in casinos. The survey, which polled 620 individuals aged 21 and older from across the US, also revealed that slightly more than one-third of respondents reported having used cannabis while gambling.
The potential link between cannabis use and riskier gambling behavior has been a subject of interest for experts. Recent research indicates that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, may impair decision-making processes and increase risk-taking in gambling contexts. A controlled study showed that consuming 17 mg of THC caused participants to make more high-risk decisions during gambling tasks, suggesting cannabis can exacerbate tendencies to gamble recklessly.
This riskier gambling behavior under cannabis influence is likely related to impaired cognitive flexibility and executive function, as THC also increased errors on mental flexibility tests and impaired motor skills. Physiologically, THC elevated heart rate and blood pressure, which may also affect the userβs gambling experience.
Riana Durrett, CPI director, mentioned the concern that cannabis consumption might reduce individuals' interest in gambling. However, existing literature does not support this assumption. Marla Royne Stafford, CPI research director, noted a relationship between cannabis use and gambling behavior but emphasized that more research is needed to clarify the extent of this relationship, particularly within casino-resorts.
The implications of legalizing cannabis use in casinos should be further explored, according to Marla Royne Stafford. While smoking cannabis is currently prohibited in casinos, cannabis can be consumed in multiple forms. Future research could reveal more nuanced differences between cannabis use and gambling behavior.
In response to these findings, Riana Durrett suggested that the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Cannabis Compliance Board collaborate on a joint report to address these issues and provide recommendations for policymakers and healthcare providers.
The survey also found that 29% of respondents indicated they would be less likely to gamble under conditions where cannabis consumption is permitted. Conversely, around 40% of respondents said they would be more likely to gamble at a resort if cannabis consumption were permitted while gambling. Approximately 58% of respondents said cannabis consumption wouldn't change their gambling behavior, 25% said they would gamble more, and 18% said they would gamble less.
Marla Royne Stafford suggested that treatment approaches for gambling addiction, which often include cognitive-behavioral therapies tailored to managing impulsivity and decision-making deficits, may be relevant for cannabis-using gamblers exhibiting risky behaviors. Intervention research remains sparse, especially in specialized populations, and more rigorous studies are needed to clarify how cannabis use influences gambling addiction risks and outcomes, including in real-world settings such as casino-resorts.
In summary, expert research supports the view that cannabis use, particularly with higher THC doses, can increase risky gambling behavior, potentially contributing to gambling problems. However, the extent of this relationship specifically within casino-resorts needs further empirical investigation. Healthcare providers and policymakers should consider these risks when addressing gambling behaviors in cannabis users.
- Experts suggested a need for further research on the relationship between cannabis use and gambling behavior, emphasizing that this research should focus on casino-and-gambling scenarios, as THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, may worsen risk-taking tendencies during gambling.
- The potential impact of legalizing cannabis use within casinos warrants further exploration, especially considering the implications for gambling addiction, as higher THC doses of cannabis could exacerbate risky gambling behaviors and contribute to gambling problems.
