There is probably something to it indirectly. More likely a large chunk of the offline/online players are part of another subset of players where there is a more direct correlation.
This either/or fallacy definitely illustrates the Authors view and strongly suggests the bias of the study’s author (or for the cynical among us, the angle he is taking for funding.)
Quote:
“We cannot determine, therefore, whether gambling on the Internet creates problems in and of itself, or whether those who already have addictive behaviors are more likely to be enticed to gamble on the Internet,” said Kairouz.