Digital Commons Network^™

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: A Comparative Analysis Of Design And Motivation In Slot Machines And Video Games, Daniel Sahl

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Introduction

The slot machines of today reflect an impressive design feat: translating cold win/loss probability into an unpredictable, whimsical, and engaging experience. A successful spin offers more than a quick payout, it’s an opportunity to experience hidden secrets within the machine: creative bonus games, rich animation and movie clips, even the chance to play simultaneously with other players on linked machines. Many of these characteristics are similar to design and gameplay elements of video games. Separate research into both slots and video games often reflect similar questions about design, motivation for play and addiction. This poster presents a visual and …

Session 2-1-E: Betting Market Efficiency Implications Of Different Structures: Bookmakers Vs. Exchanges, David Mcdonald, Ming-Chien Sung, Johnnie Johnson Professor, John Peirson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Outline

(i) Quick definition of market efficiency

(ii) Theoretical models lead to general predictions…

(iii) ...which lead to specific predictions about betting markets

(iv) Results of testing the predictions using real betting market data

(v) Implications and conclusion

Session 2-1-A: A Longitudinal Study Of Alberta Electronic Machine Gamblers, Garry Smith, Nady El-Guebaly, David Casey, David Hodgins, Rob Williams, Don Schopflocher

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Outline of the LLLP

What is the LLLP?

Launched in 2006 the LLLP is a five age cohort, four data collection wave longitudinal study that examines the incidence and determinants of gambling and problem gambling. The study was guided by four broad research questions:

1.What are the normal patterns of continuity and discontinuity in gambling and problem gambling behavior?

2.What bio-psychological variables and behavior patterns are most predictive of current and future responsible and problem gambling?

3.Are there distinct sub-groupings of gamblers and problem gamblers with different trajectories and predictors?

4.What etiological model of problem gambling is best supported by …

Session 2-1-E: Toward An Understanding Of Price Movements In Betting Markets: Profitable Trading Against The Herd, Johnnie E.V. Johnson, Ming-Chien Sung, David C.J. Mcdonald

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Efficient Market Hypothesis

Markets for speculative assets always fully incorporate relevant information in prices

Herding

Participants neglect private info, adjust actionsmore representative of previous price movements

Effect

Price volatility in excess of variations in fundament d informationBubbles, crashes and bank runs

Session 2-1-B: Gaming Regulators Africa, Linda E. De Vries

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary school education

Goal 3: Promote gender equity and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Stimulate entrepreneurship (SMME; development)

Session 2-1-B: A Mandate For Business Leadership: The Case Of Regulated Gambling In South Africa, Linda E. De Vries

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

South African agenda - shaped by developmental agenda

Comply with global movement on environmental issues

Global Economic melt down

Political wide spread change – 1994-2013

Strong philosophical orientation i.e. cost/benefit vs. tangible /intangible costs/benefits consumption model (De Vries- 1991)

Caution on becoming a gambling dependant nation

Purpose to legalise but not aggressive - consumption model (NGB Act 1996 /amended NGB Act 2004)

Private enterprise be allowed within tight regulatory framework

National lottery- good causes - aggressive –state benefit (NLB Act 2001) Normalisation of society with shift in priorities of the democracy

New formulations of Economic black EMPOWERMENT such as BRICS …

Session 2-1-C: Gambling Distortions And The Brain Reward System, Luke Clark

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Impulsive choice in PG as possible index of vmPFC dysfunction

Functional imaging of gambling near-misses

Gambling distortions following brain injury (ventromedial PFC vs insula damage)

Session 1-4-D: Leading Together: The Evolution Of Responsible Gambling In Canada, Jim Engel, Paul Pellizzari, Paul W. Smith

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Agenda

Background: Gambling in Canada
Responsible Gambling Framework
The notion of “player sustainability”
Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs)
Internet gambling
Branding RG
Data analytics
Voluntary Self-Exclusion
RG Standards
Leading together: collaboration across jurisdictions

Session 1-4-A: Comparing Longitudinal Studies Of Gambling: Methods & Findin, Rachel A. Volberg

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

What do we know about risk factors for PG?

Vast majority of research carried out on PG risk factors has involved cross-sectional surveys

PG status at a single point in time statistically correlated with behaviors & characteristics assessed at the same time

Cannot resolve the “chicken and egg” problem

• Does PG precede other disorders?
• Do other disorders precede PG?
• Or does one underlying condition account for both?

Session 1-4-A: Pathways Of Gambling Problem Severity: Follow-Up From A General Population Survey, Sylvia Kairouz, Christelle Luce

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Study objectives

Describe trajectories of change in gambling patterns and problems among a cohort of gamblers;

Model change over time based on life events.

Session 1-4-B: Gambling And Marijuana Use In The Netherlands: Is Legalization The Best Tool For Dealing With "Naughty Habits?", William N. Thompson, Laura K. Thompson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

In 1976, the Netherlands embraced two policy initiatives which encompassed similar objectives. The policies sought to control “undesired substances” via the process of legalization. One legalization process involved casino gambling. The policies have sometimes led to desired results (the right road), while at other times they have led to undesirable results (the wrong road). Now in 2013, without an observable crossroad or even fork in the road, The Netherlands is poised to deviate from a right road to travel down a wrong road by placing rather severe restrictions upon the operations of “Coffee Houses” which have been “serving” customers measured …

Session 1-4-A: Results From The Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs): Changes Between 1998, 2009, And 2010, Ula Romild, Jessika Svensson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Public Health Objectives

1. The overarching aim of Sweden’s national public health policy is to create social conditions that will ensure good health, on equal terms for the entire population.

2. The aim for society’s measures against problem gambling is to reduce harm from exaggerated gambling.

Session 1-3-E: Hitting The Sweet Spot: Lottery Promotion And Vulnerability, Elisabeth Papineau, Jean-François Biron, Fanny Lemetayer, Amadou Barry

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Literature about lottery marketing and vulnerability

Lottery advertising in Quebec

Project phases

Results

Conclusion

Session 1-3-F: The Victorian Gambling Study Identifying And Predicting Risks, Rosa Billi

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Overview

Background

Study design

• Incidence
• Transitions
• Risk & protective
• Co morbidities

Session 1-2-F: Sports As An Alternative Asset Class: Gambling As An Investment, Brendan Poots

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Genesis of the idea came in 2007 in NYC when studying at Columbia. The trading of sports utilising strategies and other traditional financial market practices was identified as a burgeoning opportunity.

Towards the end of 2007 a private Fund with owner’s capital was started.

Global Financial Crisis in 2008 – all asset classes lost value. Diversification did not work. The Olympics, the Superbowl, the World Series and all the Grand Slam tennis and golf tournaments went ahead unaffected.

Priomha Capital Sports Hedge Fund Founded in 2010

Global HQ – Melbourne

Trading office – London & Las Vegas (2014)

Priomha Capital …

Session 1-2-F: Rationality And Risk Intelligence In Binary Betting, Raph Di Guisto, Aaron C. Brown, Nick Maughan

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

We analyze 1.6 million binary bets on financial markets totaling $600 million in stakes, placed by 21,000 bettors at a large Internet betting site. The data set is unusually large and complete, plus has one additional important advantage: we can obtain objective independent estimates of the ex ante probability of winning each bet, using data from financial markets. This allows us to distinguish bettor profit due to superior prediction of financial events from bettor profit due to exploiting ex ante favorable odds situations. We focus on the degree or type of skill possessed by bettors (if any), and the amount …

Session 1-2-A: A Comparison Of Outcome Efficacy Between Residential And Intensive Outpatient Treatment For Disordered Gambling As Measured By Gamtoms, Reece Middleton

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Conclusions

Whereas, it is apparent that each of the Programs is clearly efficacious, as evidenced by major improvements in all evaluated life areas for clients of both, it seems that Residential Treatment, for those able to accomplish it, would have the Advantage. It is further indicated that continued involvement in recovery-oriented activity, such as, Aftercare and 12-Step Programs produces sought-after results for all participants.

Session 1-2-A: Building, Maintaining And Evaluating A Statewide Treatment Program For Problem Gambling, Timothy W. Fong

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Shows how to build, maintain and evaluate programs for problem gambling

Program: The 15th International Conference On Gambling & Risk Taking, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Of Nevada, Reno

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Listing of presentations, events, and sponsors

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Spring 2013, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Senior Design Experience

Part of every UNLV engineering student's academic experience, the Senior Design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. Working in teams, the senior design project encourages students to use everything learned in the engineering and computer design programs to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

Beyond the classroom ...

Because of the requirement to work in teams, students also build good communication skills, presentation skills and even business writing skills. They also have to …

How Bill Eadington Changed Our Lives, David G. Schwartz

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Since Bill Eadington’s death in February, we’ve come to appreciate just how influential a figure he is in today’s gaming studies world. Hundreds of academics, regulators, and gaming industry professionals have shared their stories of “How Bill Eadington changed my life.”

Supersonic Turbine Cascade Studies Using Computational Fluid Dynamics And Water Table Experiments, Shelby E. Nelson

Honors College Theses

Design engineers use a variety of tools to perform calculations and to aid in the design process. For example, engineers designing gas turbines, specifically the aerodynamicists, use a combination of hand calculations, experimental data, and complex numerical codes to simulate air flow around each blade. Aerodynamicists designing gas turbines must predict the locations of the shocks to locate inefficiencies in the flow. In this thesis, three methods of calculating the shock angles are compared: analytical, experimental, and computational. Three different airfoil shapes are tested: a rectangular flat plate, a supersonic diamond, and a turbine airfoil. Cascade tests of the airfoil …

How Accurately Can The Inclination Angle, Position Angle, And Location Of The Dynamic Center Be Measured From The Neutral Hydrogen Disk In The Central Regions Of Dwarf Galaxies?, John Henry Boisvert

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Rotation curves measured using Hi emission are a powerful tool for probing the mass distribution of galaxies. We investigate the accuracy with which rotation curves can be determined using the tilted-ring model. We have examined the effect of varying the dynamic center on measured rotation velocities within the inner regions of galaxies where the disagreement between theory and observation is the greatest. We examine a sample of dwarf galaxies (and one spiral galaxy) from the THINGS high-resolution survey (Walter et al. 2008). We find that the measured rotation curve is quite sensitive to the location of the dynamic center. This …

A Digital Image Processing Method For Detecting Pollution In The Atmosphere From Camera Video, Amrita Nikhil Amritphale

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this thesis we examine the use of digital cameras to detect the magnitude of atmospheric pollution present in the atmosphere. Digital cameras are inexpensive and are being used in countless areas, many of which are outdoors and very public. For example, we see digital cameras located at street intersections, city and state parks, and recreation areas. The theory presented in this paper could help agencies to monitor air quality at any of these sites. Our theory is based on certain molecules and particles that are present in clean air absorb, luminesce, refract, reflect, or scatter the red, green, and …

Strategic Electronic Property Control Of Self-Assembling Pyrazine-Acenes, Lacie Brownell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Control of electronic properties in organic semiconductor materials is essential for electro-optical applications such as field-effect transistors, light-emitting diodes, and photovoltaic devices. This work is focused on two systems that highlight different approaches for the manipulation of electronic properties: (I) the development of electron-deficient (n-type) materials by selective lowering of E_LUMO and (II) low energy gap materials by controlling both E_LUMO and E_HOMO

To specifically lower E_LUMO, a pyrazine-acene π-platform was extended using electron-withdrawing moieties. These include: pyridine, pyrazine, and benzothiadiazole (system I). From the base pyrazine-acene, the most significant change in E_LUMO of …

Initial Elastic Modulus Degradation Using Pressuremeter And Standard Penetration Test Results At Two Sites, Dustin Robbins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In-situ testing was performed at two sites consisting of pre-bored pressuremeter testing, seismic surface wave testing to develop a shear wave velocity profile, and Standard Penetration testing during the soil boring phase in order to evaluate the feasibility of using large shallow foundations for a project. This study focuses on a comparison of the in-situ direct measurements of soil stiffness obtained from this testing program. The small strain modulus obtained from the seismic surface wave test results is compared to the intermediate strain modulus obtained from both the initial loading pressuremeter modulus and reload pressuremeter modulus. The modulus calculated from …

Alpcs(2a)-Mediated Photochemical Internalization Of Bleomycin And Concurrent Hyperthermia Of Multicellular Tumor Spheroids, Aaron Andersen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Treatments for glioblastoma multiforme and invasive ductal carcinoma involve surgical resection and adjuvant or concurrent targeted therapies. The goal of the secondary treatment is to reduce the cancer cells in the resection margin and other areas of suspected involvement. Photochemical internalization is a targeted therapy using light to activate photosensitizers embedded in cellular structures to improve the delivery of macromolecules within the cell.

In a previous study, optimized treatment parameters including radiant exposure, and irradiance, concentration of AlPcS(2a), temperature, and the concentration of bleomycin were determined for human ACBT glioma multicell spheroids. The current study investigates the effectiveness of the …

Mapping The Online Gambling E-Servicescape: Impact Of Virtual Atmospherics On The Gambler's Experience, Brett Lillian Levine Abarbanel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A structural model is proposed and empirically examined that investigates the influence of an online casino's atmospheric cues on consumer behavioral response. A stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model, often used to frame other servicescape research, is adapted as the basis of the theory that the online casino environment will influence the organismic effects of cognitive and affective states, which in turn influence gamblers' approach or avoidance behavioral intentions. Analyzed elements of the online gambling site stimulus include high and low task-relevant cues, financial trust, and gambling value. Personal and situational factors and demographic characteristics were found to moderate the relationship between atmospheric …

Real Time Pattern Recognition In Digital Video With Applications To Safety In Construction Sites, Dinesh Bajracharya

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In construction sites, various guidelines are provided for the correct use of safety equipment. Many fatalities and injuries occur to people because of the lack of exercise of these guidelines and proper monitoring of the violations. In order to improve these standards and amend the cause, a video based monitoring tool will be created for a construction site.

Based on the real time video obtained from cameras on the site, a classification algorithm will be created which has the intelligence to recognize if any safety rules have been violated. A classification vector will be created based on the different classifiers, …

Integrating, Developing, And Testing Methods To Generate More Cohesive Approaches To Biogeographic Inference, Mallory Elizabeth Eckstut

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As a fundamental component of the developing discipline of conservation biogeography, broadscale analyses of biotic assembly and disassembly across multiple temporal and spatial scales provide an enhanced understanding of how geologic transformations and climate oscillations have shaped extant patterns of biodiversity. As with any scientific field, there are limitations in the case of biogeographic historical reconstructions. Historical reconstructions are only as robust as the theoretical underpinnings of the methods of reconstruction (including data collection, quality, analysis, and interpretation). Nevertheless, historical reconstructions of species distributions can help inform our understanding of how species respond to environmental change.

My dissertation takes a …