Psychology Commons^™

The Risk For Developing Disordered Gambling: Equal For Every Player? Implications For Research, Policy And Consumer Protection, Gerhard Buehringer

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Aims: (1) To introduce the concept of individual vulnerability for developing a gambling disorder (GD), (2) to question gambling supply reduction and access limitations as effective GD prevention strategies and (3) to derive short- and long-term implications for research, gambling regulation and consumer protection of vulnerable gamblers. Background: Gambling regulation is currently based on the assumption that participants have similar risks for the development of GD based on individual, social and predominantly gambling-related risk factors. Consequently, GD prevention mainly relies on supply and access limitations and “rational” consumer information and warnings within the Responsible Gambling concept. However, it remains …

Developing And Evaluating Staff Training In Responsible Gambling In Search Of A Benchmark, Michelle Beckett, Alex Blaszczynski

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Gambling On The Immigrant And Refugee Community, Tamika Harvey

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The state of Pennsylvania approved new gambling activities, such as internet gambling and “Play at the Pump” to increase revenue in effort to support special populations. Forming partnerships with community leaders the City of Philadelphia learned how former and new gambling activities has impacted the special population group involving the immigrant and refugee community. The discussion will consist of gambling related activities commonly practiced in their culture and the challenges faced when attempting to access services for problem gambling.

Rewarding Responsible Gambling May Increase Tool Use And Attitudinal Loyalty: A Survey Of Members Who Do And Do Not Currently Use Responsible Gambling Tools, Samantha Hollingshead, Michael Wohl

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Loyalty programs are a ubiquitous marketing strategy in the casino industry. Via members’ player accounts, many programs offer access to a money and/or time limit setting tool. Unfortunately, the rate of engagement with limit tools is exceedingly low, which is discouraging from a responsible gambling (RG) perspective. A possible route to increase limit tool use is to reward players for using them with program points. Doing so may also place the casino in a positive light, thus increasing attitudinal loyalty. To test this idea, loyalty program members who use RG tools (N=90) and who have never used RG tools …

Binge Eating And Gambling Are Prospectively Associated With Common And Distinct Deficits In Emotion Regulation Among Community Women, Sarah M. Farstad, Kristin M. Von Ranson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

This study compared facets of emotion regulation associated prospectively with binge eating and problem gambling to elucidate similarities and differences between eating pathology and a behavioral addiction. Women from the community (N = 202) who engaged in at-risk binge eating (n = 79), at-risk gambling (n = 36), or both behaviors (n = 87) completed four online assessments over six months. Baseline and six-month surveys assessed self-reported emotion dysregulation (including negative urgency and positive urgency), binge eating, and gambling; the abbreviated two- and four-month surveys assessed binge eating and gambling only. Binge eating and problem gambling were …

Improving Diagnostic Accuracy: Text Comprehension And Detection Of Gambling Disorder, Samuel C. Peter, James P. Whelan, Rory A. Pfund, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

Professional Competencies For Providing Interventions For Gambling Related Problems And Other High-Risk Behavior – Perspective Of Social Welfare Professionals, Neven Ricijas Ph.D., Sabina Mandic Ma, Dora Dodig Hundric Ph.D.

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Important aspect of the social welfare system is providing interventions for children and youth with behavioral problems, mainly externalizing behavioral disorders, delinquent behavior and addictions. In Croatia, children and youth can be referred to the social welfare system based on the Social Welfare Act, Family Act or Youth Courts Act, depending on the age, etiology and context of behavioral problems.

The main aim of this study was to explore how often social welfare professionals encounter different phenomenological types of behavioral problems and how confident they feel for providing interventions. Special emphasis will be put on gambling related problems among children …

Gender Differences In Treatment Seeking Gamblers With A Comorbid Eating Disorder, Maryam Sharif-Razi, Kristin M. Von Ranson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract: Recent literature suggests that gambling and eating disorders may co-occur more frequently than once thought. However, no studies have directly examined whether gender differences exist in comorbid gambling and eating disorders. The present study investigated gender differences in current gambling behaviors, gambling severity, gambling-related cognitive distortions, and psychiatric comorbidities in dual-diagnosed participants. The sample consisted of 349 treatment-seeking gamblers at a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Gambling disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities were assessed via comprehensive clinical interviews. Of the total sample, 43 participants met criteria for both a gambling and eating disorder, and subsequently completed a series …

Skill-Based Gambling Machines: Consumer Attitudes And Capacity For Informed Choice, Sally M. Gainsbury, Kahlil Philander Ph.D., Georgia Grattan Ms

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

Skill-based gambling machines combine elements of video games (skill, social interaction, competition, achievement and progress) with the random pay-out schedule of electronic gaming machines (EGMs, slots, pokies, VLTs, FOBTS). These new machines are designed to be more engaging than traditional EGMs and specifically appeal to younger generations to address the aging EGM player base apparent in many international jurisdictions. Skill-based gambling machines are currently only legally-provided in a handful of U.S. states. International regulators have expressed concerns regarding the potential for machines to lead to harms due to players misunderstanding the extent to which skill can influence outcomes (illusions …

Redesigning Gambling Treatment Programs For Success: A Model Based Approach Toward Program Development, Jeffrey J. Marotta, Greta Coe

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

This presentation will describe a program improvement initiative launched by Oregon Problem Gambling Services to assist with the development of its 47 publicly-funded gambling treatment programs. The development approach incorporated best practices as identified by SAMHSA, the gambling disorders literature, and expert review. The resulting Technical Assistance Visit Toolkit & Gambling Treatment Program Capability Index (GTPCI) offer a streamline program improvement protocol for use specifically with gambling treatment programs. The presenters will share their experience in implementing this program development approach, merits of the model, and program results.

Implications

This presentation will introduce participants to a model and evaluation …

Interventions For Problem And Pathological Gambling: Status, Innovations, And Challenges, Matthew P. Martens

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The purpose of this presentation is to address research on the effectiveness of problem gambling interventions and offer insights for new directions. Dr. Martens has led two clinical trials over the past five years that have integrated technology into problem gambling interventions for young adults. In the first trial (Martens et al., 2015), he found that a computerized personalized feedback intervention reduced gambling problems among at-risk young adult gamblers. In the second trial (Martens et al., in preparation), he found that an intervention delivered via cell phone and text-message had an indirect effect on gambling-related problems. Although effect sizes for …

The Efficacy Of The “Who Really Wins?” Youth Gambling Prevention Program – Preliminary Results From The First National Implementation Study, Neven Ricijas Ph.D., Dora Dodig Hundric Ph.D., Sanja Radic Bursac Ma, Ana Rakic Ma

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

“Who really wins” is the first comprehensive youth gambling prevention program developed and implemented in Croatia, based on a national research study on a representative sample of high-school students, conducted at the University of Zagreb. The Program was developed, piloted and modified between 2012 – 2014. Its pilot implementation was performed in 2 high-schools in the City of Zagreb, by the authors of the Program and evaluation results indicated a decrease in risk factors, namely better knowledge about gambling and less gambling related cognitive distortions among training group, compared to a control group of students (Huić et al., 2017).

In …

Using Misconceptions To Improve Education Programs That Aim To Prevent Gambling Problems, Brittany Keen, Alex Blaszczynski, Fadi Anjoul

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

Research On Problem Gambling Websites, Chang Boon Patrick Lee

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

This is a continuation of a series of studies on problem gambling websites. It has been noted in prior studies that one avenue problem gamblers might look for help was to go online to perform a web search. Online help is practical as help can be located immediately and this can help to ease the gamblers’ concerns that they are left alone to handle their own problems. While there are some anecdotal evidences regarding the success of problem gambling websites, there have been few empirical studies that relate directly to the perceptions and usefulness of the websites for the problem …

A Public Health-Based Approach To German Gaming Regulation, Knut Walter, Gerhard Buehringer

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The current situation of the German gambling market can be characterized by an unrelated framework of different legal systems, different regulatory authorities and different control principles, and has led to (1) an increasing number of court decisions and information requests by European Commission questioning parts of that regulatory system, (2) public tolerance of illicit gambling, and consequently (3) a lack of consumer protection.

Taking RENO Model 1.0 and 2.0 seriously, a new and comprehensive regulatory framework based on common consumer protection standards for all types of gambling – land-based and online, state-owned and private operated – has been developed and …

Mandatory Pre-Commitment Loss Limits: Six Years’ Experience Shows It Works, Bjorn H. Hoffmann

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The Norwegian state owned company Norsk Tipping is a pioneer in the gambling indusrty with its secure player identification and mandatory registered play across all channels. Knowing who your player is and having a strong link between the player and his consumption of games across all channels (land based, EGM, web and mobile) is an important premise for having a credible responsible gaming platform.

Norsk Tipping introduced in 2009 EGM’s with both pre commitment tools and maximum loss limits. In 2014 we introduced our Internet casino with probably the best responsible gambling platform in the world, including mandatory loss limits. …

An Empirical Evaluation Of The Clubsnsw (Australia) Multi-Venue Self-Exclusion Program, Dylan A. Pickering, Alexander Blaszczynski, Sally Gainsbury, Rowan Cameron

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Few empirical studies have evaluated the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs. Research is required to identify factors contributing to decisions to enter and/or breach self-exclusion orders, or to self-excluded gamblers to seek additional treatment. Clinical characteristics of self-excluders remain relatively unknown in addition to factors that differentiate gamblers who do or do not breach. Limitations of current programs are that gamblers can self-exclude from only one or a limited number of venues. The Multi-venue Self-exclusion program, developed and implemented by ClubsNSW (Australia), is a centralised web-based system designed to help problem gamblers self exclude from up to 35 venues at a …

Cognitive Restructuring For The Treatment Of Gambling Related Thoughts: A Systematic Review, Maxime Chrétien, Isabelle Giroux, Annie Goulet, Christian Jacques, Stéphane Bouchard

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Cognitive restructuring is the best practice for treating gambling related thoughts, but some therapists do not apply this technique due to a lack of training regarding its application. The increase of skill game players (e.g., poker) entering treatment adds a challenge for therapists because these gamblers present with different thoughts than those of other gamblers usually encountered in treatment (e.g., EGM). This systematic review aims to describe how cognitive restructuring is carried out with gamblers, particularly skill game players, based on the evidence available in empirical studies that include cognitive interventions for gambling. Of the 2607 studies collected, 41 were …

Indicators Of Clinically Significant Gambling Treatment Gains, Meredith K. Ginley, Walter R. Winfree, James P. Whelan, Rory A. Pfund, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Treatments should be tailored to the individual in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. An assessment of treatment gains is essential to this goal, particularly the ability to identify when clinically significant change is achieved. This paper will examine the sensitivity and specificity of two constructs that moderate change for gambling-focused treatments: self-efficacy to control gambling and strength of gambling-related cognitive distortions.

Participants completed measures of gambling symptoms: the Gambling Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GSEQ) to assess self-efficacy to control gambling, and the Gamblers’ Beliefs Questionnaire to assess cognitive distortions (GBQ). Included was a clinical sample of 312 treatment-seeking outpatient disordered …

A Behavioural Account Of Mobile Gambling, Richard James, Richard Tunney, Claire O'Malley

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Mobile gambling is an emerging market in which there is evidence that some gamblers are introduced to gambling through their mobile device, and that mobile gambling does not ‘cannibalise’ participation with other forms of gambling. There is a concern that mobile gamblers face distinct risks from other forms of gambling, particularly for harmful behaviours. This paper presentation outlines a behavioural account of mobile gambling that combines both the learned characteristics of problem gambling with how individuals interact with their mobile devices. This hypothesizes that the extended gaps between plays or sessions potentially attracts extended play, even in the face of …

Ready, Set, And Go Back: The Role Of The Judiciary In Brazil’S Bingo Ban, Luiza Jobim Llm, Toni Williams

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Brazil, the host of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, is known for strong competitive traditions in sports and games. It is also one of only three G-20 countries (together with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia) that currently bans non-state provision of gambling products. Bingo was a notable exception to this prohibition, after enabling legislation was enacted in 1993, with the intention that proceeds would help fund national sports development. The game quickly became very popular but there were persistent questions about, and contestations over, the capacity of the regulatory framework to control the dual risks of exploitation of …

Problem Gambling Prevalence And Risk Factors Among Older Adults, Nigel E. Turner Ph.D., John Mccready, Robert Mann Ph.D., Mark Van Der Maas, Hayley Hamilton, Tracy Schrans

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Reports on the results of a study that interview older adults at casinos and racetrack slot machine venues (racinos) in Ontario. The study used an intercept survey employing cluster sampling methods to obtain a random sample of 2,103 Ontario older adults (aged 55 and older) gambling at seven sites across the province. Older adults exiting the gaming floor were randomly selected to be invited to participate in an interview / survey, which required about 15-20 minutes of their time. Participants provided information about their own gambling behavior and gambling-related problems, attitudes toward gambling, gambling and gambling problems in their community, …

The Future Of Gambling Spaces: Esports And The World Of Competitive Video Gaming, Brett Abarbanel, Bryce Blum, Chris Grove, Carson Knuth, Seth Schorr, Rahul Sood

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

eSports, or competitive video gaming, are a rapidly developing segment of sport and gaming. eSports are a unique cultural and economic phenomenon, and only recently is this nascent industry garnering substantial attention from gambling operators, regulators, and researchers. In 2015, an estimated quarter of a billion dollars will be wagered on eSports, a number projected to grow to $23 billion by 2020 (Eilers Research, 2015).

This panel presentation will provide a general overview of eSports, including some background on the industry, a description of the market and general business model, information about the gambling opportunities within eSports, sponsorship opportunities and …

Profiling At-Risk Gamblers, Tapio Jaakkola, Kari Vuorinen, Mirka Smolej

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The majority of gambling research has been concentrating on problem gambling and on the association between gambling behavior, game design and gambling harm. Much less attention has been directed at recreational gambling or on players that do not suffer from any gambling related problems. However, when it comes to preventing gambling harm we should also target those at risk as well those who are gambling moderately.

As a part of a project on prevention of adult gambling harm we did a study of at-risk gamblers in order to recognize and to define the socio-economic background of our target group. Prior …

Measuring Market Saturation In The U.S. Casino Industry: An Analytical And Empirical Analysis, Clyde W. Barrow, Alan P. Meister, David R. Borges

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The national and regional economies in the U.S. remain on a slow growth trajectory, while the casino gaming industry has seen a rapid and ongoing expansion. Consequently, states, Native American tribes, and gaming operators have increasingly shifted their attention from gaming expansion to the problems of regional competition, cannibalization, market maturation, and market saturation. The question of “market saturation” has become a salient point of public policy debate and a topic that is now frequently raised in the industry and media. This paper analyzes the concept of saturation in the context of casino gaming markets and compares several metrics for …

Gambling Warning Messages: The Impact Of Winning And Losing On Message Reception Across A Gambling Episode, Rory A. Pfund, Meredith K. Ginley, Samuel C. Peter, James P. Whelan, Andrew W. Meyers

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Warning messages prevent and modify risk-taking behaviors. When controlling the outcome of each wager, studies suggest such messages can increase a player’s knowledge about gambling-specific risks, modify their gambling-related cognitive distortions, and even change play. The present study takes the next step by asking if the reception of the warning message is influenced by the player’s experience of winning or losing.

In a laboratory study, participants were randomly assigned to a winning or losing gambling experience where they either viewed periodic warning messages or not. Using a mixed model analysis, the influence of the warning messages was related to players’ …

From Playing For Fun To Gambling For Money: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study Of Simulated Digital Gambling Among Danish Adolescents, Søren Kristiansen

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Simulated digital youth gambling is an area if concern among researchers and professionals. Of particular interest is the association between simulated and monetary gambling, and it has been suggested that some young people might migrate from simulated digital, free-to-play gambling with virtual currencies to gambling with real money. Research in the field of simulated digital youth gambling is relatively sparse, and lately researchers have been calling for longitudinal and qualitative research. The present study address this call and presents findings from a qualitative longitudinal study of gambling behaviors among Danish adolescents based on a cohort of 51 young Danes. Data …

Gambling-Related Problems Of Self-Excluders In Swiss Casinos, Suzanne Lischer

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

No abstract provided.

Interventions For Problem Gamblers In The Correctional System, Nigel E. Turner Ph.D., Flora Matheson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The prevalence rates of problem gambling in the adult correctional population are 5 to 10 times higher than those found in the general population. The purpose of this study is to examine the type of interventions used to deal with this population. We conducted a combination of literature review and key informant study to examine the state of programming for problem gambling for clients who experience incarceration. The published literature on this topic is remarkably sparse. In fact only two peer reviewed published studies were identified that formally evaluated a treatment program for problem gambling for clients in these settings. …

Exploring The Utility Of An Extended Theory Of Planned Behaviour Framework For School-Based Gambling Prevention Programs, Renee A. St-Pierre Ph.D., Caroline E. Temcheff Ph.D., Jeffrey L. Derevensky Ph.D., Rina Gupta Ph.D.

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of negative anticipated emotions (NAE) have attracted research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs of the TPB (i.e., intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control) and NAE as valid predictors of gambling behaviours and problems among young people (Martin et al., 2010, 2011; St-Pierre et al., 2015). However, no empirical investigation has utilized all of these constructs in the design or evaluation of an adolescent problem gambling preventive intervention. The current research aimed to assess the efficacy of targeting NAE and …