Research on pathological gambling is conducted in a number of different areas. The etiology of pathological gambling is investigated through studies of genetics, neurobiology, personality psychology, sociology, social, and cognitive psychology. Treatment is studies using similar approaches. As availability of gambling venues increases, community impact studies are undertaken, and as the internet offers gambling possibilities the impacts of these are being studied. It is our intention here to provide the latest and most interesting findings from gambling research.

New Research :

• “So You Gotta Ask Yourself – Do You Feel Lucky?”
  New research investigates the role of luck perception in game preference and treatment seeking behavior
    click here to download the article
• Internet Gamblers: Who, Why, and How Often?

  A recent study conducted by researchers at Eastern Michigan University offers valuable information on the characteristics of the internet gambler.

  Though the sample consisted entirely of casino patrons, the researchers wanted to find out how internet gamblers differed from those who only gambled on land based casinos in terms of demographics and behavioral characteristics, as well as what predicted willingness to try internet gambling.

  The key results of the study were:

  • Education level seems to predict internet gambling
    • 52% of internet gamblers had a bachelors degree or higher while among those who did not, 23% had a Bachelors degree or higher.
    • 27% of internet gamblers had a high school diploma or less while among casino-only gamblers that group represented 57%.
  • Marital status may be a reliable predictor of internet gambling
    • 75% of those who did not and would not try internet gambling were married while only 56% of internet gamblers were married.
  • Internet gamblers spent the most time online and have the most access to the internet
    • Of online gamblers, 92% had internet access at home and 59% at work. Of those who would not consider online gambling 73% were online at home and 42% at work.
  • Internet gamblers were more comfortable with and trusting of internet security and services.
    • Over 95% of internet gamblers had made purchases online compared to 59% of those who had never gambled online.
    • 86% of those who would consider online gambling had made a purchase over the internet.
    • A significant difference in comfort level was detected between internet gamblers and non-internet gamblers when asked when asked whether or not they were comfortable doing their banking on the internet.
  • Those who would not consider internet gambling agreed most strongly with statements such as "I do not:
    • Take chances
    • Spend money on unusual items
    • Like new different styles
  • Several important conclusions can be drawn about internet gamblers based on the study.
    • 37% of casino goers gamble online as compared to 5% of the general population.
    • Internet gamblers spend less time in land based casinos than non-internet gamblers.
    • If a person starts to gamble online he or she is likely to continue and likely to visit a land based casino less frequently.
  • Further research is needed, but there are clear indications that the typical internet gambler (compared to the average casino-goer ) is:
    • Younger
    • More internet-savvy
    • More trusting of the internet and more frequently online
    • More likely to try new things
    • Not more pressed for time than the average person

  Profile of the Internet Gamblers: Betting on the Future Woodruff, C., Gregory, S. (2005). Profile of Internet Gamblers: Betting on the Future. UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal, (9)1, 1-14.

• Gender Differences in Gambling Motivation

  In a 2005 study, Canadian researchers shed light on the complex issue of gender differences and casino gambling.

  Gender differences

  • Men are much more likely than women to gamble for the sake of feeling a rush or the thrill of risk taking.
  • Men are more likely than women to gamble for reasons of learning or cognitive self-classification, that is, to establish a reputation or feel smart.
  • Women and men are equally likely to gamble to escape everyday problems. This finding contradicts some earlier research that women would be more likely to gamble for this reason.
  • Women and men are also equally likely to visit casinos for the social experience (communing) as well as to prove to themselves that they are able to control their emotions while gambling (emotional self-classification).

  Differences within gender groups

  Men

  • 44% of male gamblers were primarily motivated by risk taking/feeling a rush. This finding is not surprising and confirms previous research.
  • It is more interesting to conclude that the remaining 56% gambled for the social experience (communing) or to assert themselves intellectually (cognitive classification). This observation has not been emphasized in previous research.

  Women

  • Most women (74%) reported communing as being important.
  • One group reported communing as the only motivation for gambling.
  • A second group reported that a combination of communing plus the feeling of emotional control, or being "poker faced" was the prime motivator. This is interesting as these two factors appear contradictory.

  The authors conclude that more research is needed to better understand gender differences in gambling motivation.

Walker, J. W., Hinch, T. D., & Weighill, A. J. (2005). Inter- and Intra-Gender Similarities and Differences in Motivations for Casino Gambling. Leisure Sciences. 27, 111-130

• Misleading Payout Rates on Internet Gambling Sites
• A new study published in January 2005 made inter
• esting discoveries about the operations of internet gambling companies.
• Many websites offer "play for fun" demo sessions where money is not involved. The demo sites are supposed to accurately demonstrate the game to the potential player so that he or she can decide whether to play.
• The researchers wanted to see whether payout rates were higher during demo sessions, and if so, how payouts rates were affected when the player started playing for real money.
• The results of the test showed that 39% of the sites paid out more than 100% during the demo sessions, clearly an inflated rate.
• When some of the sites that had the highest and most persistent inflated payout rates were tested with real money, four out of five lost money and one out of five broke even.
• It was furthermore discovered that many internet gambling sites attach strict conditions on so called "free credit", and that wagering cash is much easier than receiving your winnings.

S`evigny, S., Cloutier, M., Pelletier, M-F., Ladouceur, R. (2005). Internet gambling: misleading payout rates during the "demo" period. Computers and Human Behavior

"Gambling Court: An Innovative Idea" by Judge Mark G. Farrell (November 17, 2004 - Des Moines, Iowa)

How do slot machines and other electronic gambling machines actually work?
Nigel Turner & Roger Horbay wrote the paper, which is intended to serve as a resource for counsellors and prevention workers in the field of problem gambling. it is also intended for people in the general public who wish to understand slot machines.

 

 

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