Gaming machines research programme: Desk exercise into the impact of high-stake, high-prize gaming machines
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The Gambling Commission carried out an exploratory desk
exercise to improve our understanding on the potential harmful
effects of high-stake, high-prize gaming machines on problem
gamblers. We considered existing research and literature in three
areas:
- causal links between the availability of high-stake, high-prize
gaming machines and the development of problem gambling
- the attraction of these machines to existing problem
gamblers
- the exacerbation of gambling problems from access to such
machines.
This desk exercise built on available literature reviews and
considered other recent international research, as well as the
limited evidence from Great Britain. It was not a systematic
and comprehensive review of all available literature. Its
main aim was to help the Gambling Commission to develop a programme
of research for the future.
We completed the desk exercise with help from Professor Mark
Griffiths from Nottingham Trent University, who acted as a
contributing editor.
The full report can be found at:
Impact of high-stake high-prize gaming machines on problem gambling
- December 2008
Key findings
There was no general agreement in the available research from
Britain and other jurisdictions about how much these high-stake,
high-prize gaming machines cause gamblers to become problem
gamblers.
However, evidence suggested that there are associations between
gaming machines and problem gambling, and that machine
players were most likely to contact national telephone help
lines.
Evidence suggested that while gaming machines appeared to
appeal to many gamblers, they seemed to be particularly attractive
to those at risk of, or with a gambling problem.
Compared to non-problem gamblers, problem gamblers tended to
play on gaming machines more frequently, and spend more time and
money on them. Certain features of gaming machines, such as
fast games or offers of free games, appealed to gamblers and are
therefore associated with higher levels of gambling and
gambling-related harm.
Research from some countries suggested that the accessibility of
gaming machines has some association both with the level of
gambling and with problem gambling rates. In particular local
access to the machines seemed to be relevant - probably because
many gamblers tend to gamble closer to home.
Some evidence suggested that problem gambling behaviours
fluctuated over time and that many gamblers intermittently
experience difficulties controlling their gambling.
There was uncertainty in the available research about how best
to minimise the harm that gamblers are exposed to when using gaming
machines.
The research suggested that to understand why most gamblers can
enjoy using gaming machines without significant excess, but some
seriously overspend and others become addicted, we need access to
players in their gambling habitats and data on players. Both
would need a substantial research effort as well as support from
the industry.
There were various overseas initiatives that impose harm
minimisation measures. Much of this work was ongoing or only
just emerging. It would in due course provide insights into the
nature of the links between problem gambling and machine gaming,
and the effectiveness of specific measures to minimise harm from
gambling.
Page last reviewed: June
2011