El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las representaciones sociales de diferentes líderes insti­ tucionales en torno a los clientes de los casinos, sus motivaciones principales y el papel del casino en la cotidianidad. La metodología fue cualitativa-fenomenológica con entrevistas semiestructuradas. Participaron ocho líderes de instituciones religiosas, políticas, de salud mental y funcionarios gubernamentales. Los resultados evidencian que las mujeres en edad adulta se representan como el colectivo con mayor presencia en los casinos. Todos los par­ ticipantes representan a las personas jugadoras asociadas al juego patológico y la soledad, con variaciones según la institución que representan. Se discute la pertinencia de generar procesos investigativos que amplíen la concepción de los juegos en casinos e impacten en las políticas públicas en salud y desarrollo socioeconómico...

This study aims to analyze the social representations of different institutional leaders regarding the casino customers, their main motivations and role of the casino in daily life. The methodology was qualitative - phenomenological using semi-structured interviews. Participants were eight leaders of religious, political, and mental health institutions, and government officials. The results show that adult women are represented as the group with greater presence in the casinos. Loneliness and pathological gambling are part of the social representation of the players, with variations according to the institution that the leaders represent. The relevance of generating investigative processes that expand the concept of the games in casinos and impact on public health policies and socioeconomic development is discussed.

This study aims to analyze the social representations of different institutional leaders regarding the casino customers, their main motivations and role of the casino in daily life. The methodology was qualitative - phenomenological using semi-structured interviews. Participants were eight leaders of religious, political, and mental health institutions, and government officials. The results show that adult women are represented as the group with greater presence in the casinos. Loneliness and pathological gambling are part of the social representation of the players, with variations according to the institution that the leaders represent. The relevance of generating investigative processes that expand the concept of the games in casinos and impact on public health policies and socioeconomic development is discussed.