Laboratory-induced extended wakefulness impairs mood and vigilance but not gambling behaviour in regular gamblers

This study investigated the relationship between gambling and extended wakefulness using a novel within-subjects design. In a laboratory setting, 19 participants (9 males, 10 females) were subjected to 18.75 h of extended wake to mimic the sleep pressure typically present during late night gambling sessions. Participants completed two test batteries, the first at baseline at 1800 h and the second at 0300 h. Each test battery consisted of four online gambling tasks (electronic gaming machine, roulette, sports betting, and bingo) and a series of subjective and cognitive measures (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, visual analogue scale of performance, Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and Profile of Mood States). Compared to at 1800 h, participants at 0300 h showed slower responses and more lapses on the PVT indicated impairment, increased subjective feelings of tiredness, and increased negative affect, but no significant changes in gambling intensity. The current study illustrates that gambling during a period of extended wake may not impact gambling behaviour as hypothesised and as shown in previous studies. While periods of wakefulness mimic alcohol in other cognitive performance domains, the same may not be true of gambling.