Study highlights behavioral perils of gambling machines

A new study published by GambleAware has indicated that players on land-based electronic gaming machines in bookmakers and casinos are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling.

Study highlights behavioral perils of gambling machines

The gambling harm charity, which commissioned Bournemouth University in the UK to carry out the research, said that such machines and online casino games had a higher level of association with such adverse behavior than other forms of gambling.

The research found that usage of electronic gaming machines was the biggest predictor of someone who would go on to experience future gambling harms, and those using such land-based machines were over 10 times more likely than average to be experiencing problem gambling.

Young adults aged between 18 and 34 years old predominantly used gambling machines at bookmakers or gambling in casinos compared to older adults who are 55 years old and above.

However, both activities show a strong association with the likelihood of experiencing “problem gambling”.

Problem gambling

The study found that 76% of people who use physical gambling machines and online casino games experienced problem gambling, with those who use the latter being four times more likely than average to experience harm.

The report urged regulators to apply more substantial restrictions on the availability and design of electronic gaming machines, including reducing the number of machines in venues, lowering stakes and implementing mandatory breaks.

The report also showed that problem gambling worsens in line with the number of types of gambling activities people participate in, and increases more after two activities. The report calls for operators to create shared databases to identify customers who participate in several different types of gambling – and are therefore at an increased risk of gambling harm.

White Paper

“This new research shows that there are some particular types of gambling which can lead to an increased chance of experiencing gambling harm,” said GambleAware CEO Zoe Osmond, who highlighted the findings of the report in the context of the Gambling Act Review white paper that was published in the UK in April 2023.

The white paper included a proposed relaxation relating to casino rules, with certain casinos allowed to increase the number of their gaming machines to 80 as long as they meet certain size requirements.

“The research also brings into question some of the measures outlined in the Gambling White Paper such as relaxations in land-based gambling, which could lead to an increase in electronic gaming machines in venues,” Osmond added. “The report suggests the measures do not go far enough to protect people. This is why we are calling for the recommendations in this report to be adopted as they will help ensure that people can be better protected.”

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