This report reviews two research reports conducted by the University of Sydney Gambling Research Unit and the Centre for International Economics. The research projects investigated the impact on players and on gaming revenue of these proposed modifications to the operation of gaming machines.
On the whole, the reviewers conclude that the behavioural research into the impact of modifications on players has greater methodological integrity and draws conclusions that are more consistent with the research findings than the economic study quantifying the gaming revenue at risk.
Based on the review of these two reports and integrating past research on the topic, the reviewers arrived at the following conclusions:
- The reduction in maximum bet size shows strong potential as a machine-based modification to minimise harm associated with problem gambling;
- The reconfiguration of bill acceptors could be a potentially effective harm minimisation strategy if it was to be implemented together with other considerations such as proximity to ATMs. In isolation, the modification of bill acceptors itself does not appear supported for its effectiveness in harm minimisation;
and
- The reel spin modification does not appear, at this stage, to be an effective harm minimisation strategy.
In reviewing the Centre for International Economics Report, the review team had major concerns about the research design from which the estimates of the club and hotel revenue at risk was derived. It is reasonable to expect that modifications to gaming machines implemented as part of an effective harm minimsation strategy will impact on revenue. However, the reviewers conclude that the resulting translation into statewide imapcts, such as job losses, was considerably inflated.
In 2001, The Responsible Gambling Council and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse conducted a gambling prevalence study in Ontario with a sample of 5,000 adults 18 years and older (Wiebe, Single & Falkowski-Ham, 2001). The study provided baseline information on the nature and extent of gambling and gambling problems in Ontario communities, and on the characteristics, behaviours and consequences associated with uncontrolled gambling behaviour. The present study builds on the Ontario prevalence study by following up a sample of participants from the prevalence study approximately one year later.
A total of 448 participants from the original prevalence study were re-contacted approximately one year later.
The results revealed substantial changes in gambling levels over a one-year period, particularly among those with less than severe gambling problems. Among those gambling at-risk at time 1, 53% moved to non-problem gambling, and 6% to non-gamblers at time 2. Among individuals with moderate problems at time 1, 38% were gambling at-risk and 26% at non-problem levels at time 2. The majority of non-problem gamblers at time 1 remained non-problem gamblers at time 2 (85%). The group with severe gambling problems at time 1 demonstrated far more stability in their gambling levels than those in the at-risk or moderate problem groups. The majority (80%) of individuals with severe gambling problems at time 1 continued to have severe problems one year later.
These results suggest that whereas those gambling at at-risk or moderate problem levels appear to be in transitory states, those with severe problems are much more stable. This has important implications for targeting. It is this severe group that may benefit most from formal treatment. The others may benefit more from support, motivation and encouragement to implement strategies if gambling concerns are present.
While there was an overall trend towards reductions in problematic levels of gambling, it is interesting to note that approximately 10% of participants at each gambling level progress to the next more problematic level. That is, approximately 10% of time 1 non-problem gamblers were gambling at-risk at time 2, 10% of time 1 at-risk gamblers were experiencing moderate problems at time 2, and finally, approximately 10% of those with time 1 moderate problems were experiencing severe problems at time 2. Replication studies are required to validate this observation.
Of the total sample, 5.4% reported having concerns about their gambling in the past 12 months. The most noted concern related to finances. Other concerns included relationships, well-being and loss of control. However, few respondents in this study reported seeking professional help for gambling concerns. Rather, if concerns are present, most have shared these concerns with family members or friends.
In the present study, one in eight individuals report being negatively impacted by someone else’s gambling. These impacts are largely financial in nature, involving being manipulated into lending money, and not having loans re-paid. A few report threats and violence. The number of people negatively affected by others’ gambling, coupled with the finding that family members are an important source of support for those with gambling-related concerns, highlights the need for targeted messaging for this group.
This study provides a snapshot of the progression of problem gambling over a one-year period. Longer-term follow-up studies, with non-gamblers and a larger number of individuals with gambling-related problems, are required to gain a more complete understanding of the stability and progression of problem gambling. Another enhancement of this type of research would be to obtain significant others’ perspective on the important factors in the initiation, maintenance and resolution of gambling problems. Finally, research with larger samples is required to gain a more accurate understanding of gambling concerns, strategies to reduce concerns and barriers to addressing problems for individuals across the continuum of problem gambling.
