Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Session 3-3-A: The ‘Circles Concept’ Of Gambling Addiction: An Empowered Framework For Change, Harry B. Mayr

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The original ‘Circles Concept of (Gambling) Addiction’ was developed by Harry Mayr in 1982, while working as an addictions counsellor in a community-based health centre. It has always been a ‘user friendly’ concept … applicable and understood by people from all cultures, across all ages, and with or without an addiction issue. Years later, people have informed Mr Mayr how they still remember ‘those circles’, and how the concept helped them.

The ‘Circles Concept of (Gambling) Addiction’ is therefore a concept remembered as much for its visual cues as its verbal explanation – and thus applicable across languages, cognitive and …

Session 3-2-D: Managing A Research Collaborative: Challenges And Outcomes, Joachim Haeusler

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Collaborative with the Division on Addiction

The collaborative set off in 2005 and since then produced 18 peer reviewed publications, leading to a paradigm shift in online gambling research and which allowed us to establish an evidence-based consumer protection concept.

Goals:

• Creating a scientific evidence base about actual online gambling behavior, relying on behavioral data
• Continuously evaluating games and player protection measures and designing a consumer protection concept based on this evidence
• Creating an early-detection model for the identification of customers at-risk of developing problems

Transparency:

• Full access to de-identified gambling transaction data of large samples (up to 100,000 customers), …

Session 3-2-A: The Conceptual Framework Of Harmful Gambling, Max Abbott

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Project Overview

Purpose: develop a clear, comprehensive, internationally relevant conceptual framework of harmful gambling that addresses a broad set of factors related to population risk and resilience beyond the symptoms-based view that affects individuals

Previous models inform the work

As the project sponsor, OPGRC is collaborating with an expert panel to facilitate the development of a conceptual framework of harmful gambling that captures the broad set of factors related to harmful gambling

The framework is outlined in a publication, jointly authored by the expert panel members, and presented at the OPGRC website

Session 3-2-D: Predicting Gambling-Related Problems Among Internet Gamblers, Sarah E. Nelson

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The Goal

Use actual gambling behavior to identify, with good reliability and validity, distinct groups of gamblers among those who have gambling-related problems

Utilize this/these algorithm(s) to set up an early warning system for players at risk of developing problems

Session 3-2-C: Mentor - The New Online Prevention Tool In Use And Its Preliminary Results, Doris Malischnig

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

• Responsible Gaming (RG) Standards Casinos Austria / Austrian Lotteries
• MENTOR: Behavioral Feedback System
• Outlook

Session 3-1-C: A Qualitative Examination Of Online Gambling Culture Among College Students: Factors Influencing Participation, Maintenance And Cessation, Rina Gupta, Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Michael Wohl

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Qualitative research: focus groups

Population: college students

Objective: achieve a better understanding of the factors attracting students to online gambling including the role played by social media sites.

More importantly, the issue of migration between the play-for-fun gambling social media sites and online gambling was of primary interest.

Session 3-1-E: Segmenting Slot Machine Players: A Factor-Cluster Analysis, Stowe Shoemaker, Dina Marie Zemke

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Overall objectives of the study:

Understand the following aspects of slot players:

– Demographic profile

– Motivations to play

– Behavioral characteristics while playing

– Factors important in choosing a game to play

– Attitudes toward progressives

– Desire for themed games

Session 3-1-E: Anatomy Of A Jackpot: Characteristics Of Purchasers Of Large Jackpot Lottery Tickets, Todd Maki, Don Feeney

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Jackpot “Run” & Survey Design

Record breaking Powerball jackpot

Started at $40 million on Oct 6, 2012

Rolled 15 times to reach $550 million Nov 28, 2012

MN Sold $25.2 million worth of tickets

Sales from all lotteries totaled $1.3 billion

Internet Survey

1,000 Minnesota adults

In the field Dec 14 to 18

Took, on average, about 10 minutes to complete

Representative of the general population (age and gender)

Conducted by Ipsos

Session 3-1-C: Gambling Behaviors Among American College Student-Athletes: Results From The 2012 National Collegiate Athletic Association Study, Tom Paskus, Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Caroline Temcheff

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Why Is the NCAA Concerned about Student-Athlete Gambling?

Student-athlete well-being

Contest integrity

Session 2-4-C: Addressing The Related Epidemics Of Financial/Mathematical Illiteracy And Adolescent Problem Gambling, William S. Mallios, R. R. Mallios

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Information and statistics addressing the epidemics of financial and mathematical illiteracy and adolescent problem gambling.

Session 2-4-D: New Educational Tools For Gambling Machine Players, Nigel E. Turner

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Purpose

This paper will discuss the development of a series of education tools designed to teach players about the nature of gambling machines.

Currently being evaluated.

Session 2-4-G: Gambling Segmentation Studies A General Approach To Segmentation For Various Gambling Agencies, Paul Lauzon, Don Feeney

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

What is Segmentation?

A segmentation groups a market or population into meaningful subgroups

Segment members share characteristics and market influences that cause them to have similar product and/or service needs

Each segment is unique from the other segments

Session 2-3-C: Sports Betting Of Adolescents In Croatia: From Favorable Environment To Psychosocial Consequences, Dora Dodig, Neven Ricijas Phd, Valentina Kranzelic, Aleksandra Huic

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Social context

Expansion of places registered for gambling, especially sports betting

Croatian Law on Games of Chance (2009.)

• Sports betting is illegal for minors (<18)
• Minimum 200 meters from schools

Session 2-3-C: How Do Teenagers’ Differentiate Computer Gaming From Gambling, Margaret Carran, Julia Hornle, Mark Griffiths

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Aims of the study

Part I – qualitative focus groups to find out:

• How some of London adolescents view gambling following the significant expansion of perceived opportunities to gamble in UK since 2007
• What they think gambling is and whether it differs from what law considers gambling to be
• What they think about the similarities and differences between computer games and monetary forms of gambling and in particular whether they recognise gambling types activities within computer games; and
• What they know about law relating to gambling and how, if at all, it influences their behaviour.
• To identify the main theme …

Session 2-3-G: The Consumption Screen For Problem Gambling (Cspg): Why A Penchant For Big Macs May Predict Appetites For Gambling, Matthew Rockloff, Matthew Browne Browne

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Evidence for a common underlying trait: “Consumptiveness”

Consumptiveness: “A persistent orientation towards acquiring and using resources in excess of a proper accounting of their costs and benefits - resulting in harm.”

simple behaviors that result in immediate, sensation-oriented rewards

• alcohol, caffeine, smoking, illicit drugs, energy-rich foods (including salt)
• Gambling

Session 2-3-C: Adolescent Slot Machines Players: Experiences, Motivation And Cognitive Distortions, Neven Ricijas Phd, Dora Dodig, Valentina Kranzelic, Aleksandra Huic

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Aims of this research

1. to explore how often high-schools students play slot machines

2. to explore how often adolescent slot machine players play other games of chance

3. to explore their main motivation and beliefs related with gambling

4. to explore their gambling experiences and behavioral patterns

Session 2-3-F: Gaming Applications Of A Forgotten Distribution, Rohan J. Dalpatadu, Ashok K. Singh

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Introduction

The bonus game has become a very important part of the slot machine, as indicated by a large number of patent applications and patents (Bennett, 2000; Slomiany and Grupp, 2000; Vancurra, 2000; Baerlocher et al, 2002; Jaffe et al, 2002; Cannon and Donovan, 2003; Dickerson, 2005). Therefore, probability distributions suitable for developing games are very much in need. In this study, we illustrate how a forgotten discrete probability distribution, viz. the negative hypergeometric distribution, can be used to develop bonus games for slot machines, and also to analyze existing bonus games. The mean and the variance for this distribution …

Session 2-3-G: Starving To Gamble: Hunger And Gambling-Related Craving Interact To Heighten Persistent Play Among Problem Gamblers, Travis K. Sztainert, Michael Wohl, Alfonso Abizaid

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Describes how hunger and gambling-related cravings relate to problem gambling.

Session 2-2-A: Effectiveness Of Brief Interventions For Problem Gambling: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Max Abbott

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Introduction

Problem gambling a significant public health and social issue

Significant investment in publicly funded intervention services (Helpline, face-to-face counselling)

No formal evaluation of effectiveness, in general or with specific groups

Session 2-2-F: Combining Forecasts To Predict The Outcome Of Horseraces, Stefan Lessmann, Ming-Chien Sung, Johnnie E.V. Johnson, Tiejun Ma, Chung-Ching Tai

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

A variety of methods are often employed to forecast the outcome of sports events and to shed light upon the factors that influence contestants’ winning prospects. We explore the potential of combining forecasts to improve the accuracy of sports event prediction. Successful combination usually involves accurate and diverse individual predictions. Further, to accurately predict the outcome of sports events it is important to effectively account for the intensity of rivalry among contestants. Consequently, we develop modeling procedures and practices for addressing these challenges: First, in order to construct a large and diverse library of base models, we employ a range …

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 …

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Comorbidity Among Pathological Gamblers Seeking Treatment, Daniela Gonzalez-Sicilia, Louise Nadeau

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Context of the study

Pathological gambling prevalence in the general population: United States 0.42% (Petry et al., 2005), Canada 0.5% (Rush et al., 2008), Quebec 0.7% (Kairouz et al., 2011)

Epidemiological surveys (i.e. NESARC) indicate that pathological gambling is usually accompanied by other comorbid disorders, such as: Alcohol and drug abuse (prevalence of 25 and 27%, respectively), alcohol and drug dependence (48 and 11%), mood disorders (50%), anxiety disorders (41%), personality disorders (61%). (Petry et al., 2005)

The comorbidity found in clinical samples is usually higher than that in the general population because it is more likely for a person …

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Survey Of Internet User’S Intentions About Gambling On A Legal Online Site, Emilie Vezina, Serge Sevigny, Christian Jacques, Isabelle Beaudoin, Isabelle Giroux

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

While many governments are considering the option of legalizing online gambling, mental health professionals and public health advocates worry that it will increase the number of problem gamblers. Results of the survey show that 3% of the sample, composed of 1009 Internet users, intended to gamble real money on the new online legal site, 6% would gamble without money, and 5% would visit the new site without gambling. Nearly 45% of those who intended to visit the legal gambling site were Internet non-gamblers in the last year. Half of online gamblers intended to gamble on the new legal site. Also, …

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Family Gambling And Its Connection To Intergenerational Family Relationship Building, Melissa M. Sleightholm, Joan E. Norris, Joseph Tindale

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Introduction

Most research has viewed gambling as an individual activity and very little research has been devoted to the impacts of family gambling.

Bengtson and Roberts (1991) viewed intergenerational family solidarity as a comprehensive construct consisting of six components of solidarity. Affectual, Associational, and Functional solidarities, can be adapted to a gambling context.

The three family solidarity dimensions of affection, association, and function are the core components to family solidarity (Hogerbrugge & Komter, 2012).

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour Within School-Based Prevention Programs For Adolescent Gambling, Renee St-Pierre, Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Rina Gupta, Caroline Temcheff

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the concept of anticipatory negative emotions have attracted considerable research attention in the formulation of effective preventive interventions. This approach has identified several key constructs (i.e., attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of control, anticipation of negative emotions) as valid predictors of gambling intentions and behaviour. However, no empirical investigation has utilized these constructs in the design or evaluation of a youth problem gambling prevention initiative.

Objectives. The current research aims to assess the effects of a prevention video on gambling-related attitudes, subjective norms, control perceptions, anticipated negative emotions, and intentions. The video focuses on …

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Psychological And Physiological Responses To Gambling Cues In Pathological Gamblers, Stephen P. Sharman Mr, Eve Limbrick-Oldfield, Mike R. Aitken, Henrietta Bowden-Jones, Luke Clark

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Introduction

Gamblers experience exposure to gambling cues on a daily basis, ranging from celebrity-endorsed TV commercials, to walking past a high street bookmaker. Research on substance addictions indicates that these cues are likely to activate urges / cravings to gamble.

Wulfert et al (2005) found higher ratings of subjective excitement following a horse race with a wager on in students, Kushner et al (2008) used frequent gamblers in a simulated casino environment and found positive anticipation and positive priming increased urges to gamble, however these studies used only a single self report item to measure craving. Ashrafioun et al (2012) …

Mid-Morning Break And Poster Sessions: Clinical Profile And Psychiatric Co-Morbidity Of Treatment-Seeking Individuals With Pathological Gambling, Heidi Sinclair, Sonja Pasche, Adele Pretorius, Peter Collins, Dan J. Stein

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Background:

Pathological gambling is a prevalent and disabling mental illness, which is frequently associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. However, there is relatively little data on comorbidity in pathological gambling from low and middle income countries such as South Africa.

Session 2-1-C: Amphetamine Effects And The Possible Role Of Sesitization In Pathological Gambling, Martin Zack Phd

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Background

Addiction is a brain disorder caused by chronic exposure to drugs (Leshner, 1997)

Pathological Gambling (PG) shares many features of drug addiction (Holden 2001; Petry, 2006; Potenza, 2006)

PG may be caused by chronic exposure to gambling

Neuroplasticity (Tamminga and Nestler, 2006)

Sensitization (increased dopamine; DA) response to drug or environmental signals for reward (Robinson and Berridge, 2001)

Robust sensitization: Repeated low-dose amphetamine

Session 2-1-A: Long-Term Client Outcomes The State-Wide Gambling Therapy Service South Australia, Peter W. Harvey, David Smith, Rachel Humeniuk

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Overview

1. Statewide Gambling Therapy Service, SA

• context
• service model
• routine activity, KPIs and outcomes
• ongoing research programmes

2. examples of some specific study outcomes

3. larger service evaluation outcomes

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)