Identifying Problem Gamblers in Gambling Venues

Transcription

1 1 Identifying Problem Gamblers in Gambling Venues Commissioned for: The Ministerial Council on Gambling Prepared by: Dr. Paul Delfabbro Dr. Alexandra Osborn University of Adelaide Dr. Maurice Nevile Dr. Louise Skelt University of Canberra Professor Jan McMillen Funded by the State and Territory Governments and the Australian Government Published on behalf of Gambling Research Australia by the Office of Gaming and Racing Department of Justice Melbourne Victoria Australia November 2007 ISBN:

2 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 8 Chapter 1: Introduction Project Background The Role of the Ministerial Council Industry Duty of Care and Codes of Practice: An Overview Identifying Problem Gamblers as an Early-Intervention Strategy Terms of Reference Outline of the Literature Review Outline of the Empirical Research Chapter Structure for Empirical Research Chapter 2: Problem gambler identification and staff training in current national and international responsible gambling policies and practices Chapter Overview Gambling in Australia: A Brief Summary Types of Gambling and Gambling Venues Gambling Expenditure Gambling Involvement Problem gambling rates Public Health, Harm Minimisation and Responsible Gambling The Role of Problem Gambler Identification and Related Staff Training in Current Responsible Gambling Provisions Levels of Influence: Regulation and Codes of Practice Responsible Gambling in Australia National Responsible Gambling Frameworks National Responsible Gambling Training Modules New South Wales Responsible Gambling Measures Responsible Gambling Provisions in Queensland Victorian Responsible Gambling Provisions South Australian Responsible Gambling Provisions Responsible Gambling in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Responsible Gambling Provisions in Western Australia... 60

3 Responsible Gambling Provisions in Tasmania Responsible Gambling Provisions in the Northern Territory Summary and Comparison of the Different States /Territories International Responsible Gambling Initiatives New Zealand Responsible Gambling Initiatives in Canada Responsible Gambling Training and Initiatives in the United States Responsible Gambling in Europe Summary of International Programs Chapter 3: The Nature of problem gambling and visible indicators within venues Overview Theoretical Approaches to Conceptualizing and Defining Problem Gambling Medical and Mental Illness Approaches Traditional Addiction Models Need State/Psychological Dependence Models Behavioural Approaches Cognitive Approach Sociological Approach Continuum Approach Harm Approach Personal Harm Interpersonal Harm Vocational Harm Legal Impacts Financial Impacts Psychometric and Psychiatric Indicators of Problem Gambling Industry and Peak Body Definitions of Problem Gambling Studies of Problem gambling indicators Demographic and Cultural Considerations Logistical Issues: Venue Organization and the Variability of Gambling Deliberate concealment... 99

4 4 3.9 Insights from Related Research Areas Research into Retail Crime Studies of Gesture Recognition Final Methodological Considerations and Recommendations Summary Chapter 4: Survey of Industry Staff and Problem Gambling Counsellors Overview Venue Staff Sample Survey Content: Venue staff survey Sampling Methodology Work Status and Experience Manager Attitudes towards Patron Contact Details of Staff Training Received Perceived Difficulties and Barriers to Identifying Problem Gamblers Experiences in Identifying Problem Gamblers Emotional Reactions Excessive Levels of Involvement Searching for Money/ Chasing Losses Irrational Behaviours or Attributions of Blame Indicators for Confirmed Problem Gamblers Endorsement of Identified Indicators and Behaviours Other Indicators to Consider Beliefs about the Identification of Problem Gamblers in Venues Venue Staff Views Concerning Appropriate Interventions Personal Interventions by Venue Staff No action or stop serving/barring Refer to Management Survey of Problem Gambling Counsellors Sample Characteristics Sampling Methodology Work Status and Experience

5 Endorsement of Identified Indicators and Behaviours Other Indicators to Consider Beliefs about the Identification of Problem Gamblers in Venues Views Concerning Appropriate Interventions Personal Interventions by Venue Staff Refer to Management Discussion and Conclusions Chapter 5: Survey of Problem Gamblers and Non-Problem Gamblers in the Community and Gambling Venues Overview Selection of Indicators Sampling Strategy Sampling Methodology Venue Survey: Sampling Community Survey: Sampling Survey Measures Sample Characteristics (written up for both samples) Demographic Characteristics Gambling Behaviour Demographic Predictors of Gambling Involvement Problem Gambling Demographic Differences in Problem Gambling Problem gambling and participation rates Prevalence of Visible Indicators and Signs Frequency, Duration and Intensity Indicators Indicators of Impaired Choice or Control Social Indicators of Problem Gambling Indicators related to Raising Funds or Chasing Behaviour Emotional and Physiological Indicators of Problem Gambling Alcohol and Gambling Irrational Attributions Summary of Most Prevalent Visible Indicators

6 6 5.8 Relative Probability of Visible Signs Probability of PG Status as Predicted by Visible Indicators Frequency of Multiple Indicators Gender Differences Cues Identified by Gamblers Discussion and Conclusions Main Findings Most Commonly Reported Behaviours Less Common Behaviours Strongly Indicative of Problem Gambling Methodological Considerations Chapter 6: Observational Study of Within Venue Behaviour Overview Nature and Purpose of the Observational Work Methodological Principles Guiding the Field Observation Studies Summary of Principal Aims of the Observational Work Sampling Details for Observational Visits Details of Venue Staff: SA Study Findings from the South Australian Observational Study Actual Sequencing of Behaviors in Longer Sessions Conclusions from S.A. Observational Analysis The ACT Study: Overview Findings from the ACT Observational Study Analysis of Visible Indicators Observed in the ACT Study Frequency, Duration and Intensity Social behaviours Emotional responses Other behaviours: Irrational attributions Conclusion Chapter 7: Summary and Conclusions Overview of Project Key Findings from the Review of Policy and Regulation (Chapter 2) Key Findings from the Review of the Existing Research Literature (Chapter 3). 273

7 7 7.4 Key Findings from the Survey of Venue/ Industry Staff and Counsellors Key Findings from Gambler Study (Chapter 5) Key findings from Observational Studies A Final Set of Indicators Methodological Considerations Conclusions and Future Directions Future Research and Recent Developments Final Practice Issues References APPENDIX A: Organisations Consulted During Research Project APPENDIX B: Survey of regular gamblers Appendix C: Survey of Industry Staff Appendix D: Survey of Counsellors