Citations

... This study noted that although participation rates are lower, residents spend a larger amounts compared to urban gamblers (O'Neil, Kosturjak, & Whetton, 2004). Further, a prevalence report also based in South Australia noted rural regions are associated with greater participation in most forms of gambling (Taylor et al., 2001). In New South Wales, a higher risk of problem gambling is associated with one rural region (Nielsen, 2007; Sproston et al., 2012). ...
Article
Full-text available
Gambling has become a popular activity in both urban and rural settings. Although the prevalence and participation of gambling is well known, little has been reported regarding the impacts of gambling on rural communities. Therefore, a narrative literature review approach was adopted to examine what is known regarding gambling in rural communities. This article describes the prevalence and types of gambling that are popular in rural communities around the world. It identifies the benefits and highlights the potential harm caused by a person’s gambling and the impact this has on families and the wider rural community. There are both benefits and risks associated with increased availability of gambling opportunities. Specific vulnerable groups within rural populations are identified within this context and how different countries respond to rural gambling is explored. A number of strategies based on a public health approach are recommended to ensure that gambling remains as harmless an activity as possible in rural communities.
... Problem gamblers are perceived as a low-prevalence group, but it is estimated that between one and two percent of the population has a gambling related problem. In a study in South Australia (SA) it was estimated the current prevalence for problem gambling to be two percent (Taylor et al., 2001). This rate is similar to prevalence estimates for diabetes (2.4%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006) and higher than that of schizophrenia (1%) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2004). ...
Article
Full-text available
General Practitioners (GPs) are well placed to identify problem gamblers and provide early intervention. To date there is no evidence to suggest that GP's are routinely screening patients for potential gambling problems. This paper discusses the prevalence of problem gambling, the links with other health problems and ways that GPs can assist. Results from a pilot project that provided educational resources to GPS are also discussed. Suitable screening tools are available that could easily be used by GPs to assess the possibility of gambling problems in patients who may be at increased risk but do not seek help. Early identification and intervention may help prevent a gambling habit escalating to a serious problem. More work needs to be done to increase awareness with GPs of the extent of problem gambling in our community and to alert patients to the fact that gambling can affect their health and that GPs can help.
... Using SOGS5 þ , the Australian Productivity Commission's 1998-99 national survey found that problem gambling affects approximately 2% of the adult Australian population; 1% of surveyed adults were found to experience severe problems related to gambling. Since then, subsequent population studies in several Australian states have reached similar conclusions McMillen et al., 2004a;Queensland Government Treasury, 2002;Roy Morgan Research, 2001;Taylor et al., 2001). These studies consistently found that the most popular modes of gambling (EGMs, casinos, racing) attract different problem gambler groups, although the prevalence rates and social profiles of problem gamblers reflect the particular population and gambling context in each state. ...
Article
Monitoring the prevalence of problem gambling has become a major issue for regulators and policy-makers in several countries as legalised gambling has expanded. However, there has been considerable debate about the definition of problem gambling and the most appropriate ways of measuring it. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of three problem gambling screens: the Victorian Gambling Screen (VGS), the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS, version 5+). Using methods of concurrent validation, the study is based on a population survey of 8479 adult residents in the state of Victoria, Australia. While finding limitations with all three screens, overall the study found that the CPGI demonstrated the best measurement properties of the three gambling instruments. As well as essential questions about screen validity, the paper discusses issues for future consideration in prevalence studies and the measurement of problem gambling in general populations.
Chapter
This chapter assesses the antecedence to, and relationship between gambling, problem gambling and crime. Exploring general, clinical and correctional population surveys, as well as criminal justice data, the chapter demonstrates that available evidence indicates that problematic gambling behaviour is a significant criminogenic variable. International research is consistent in its finding that gambling-related crimes typically consist of non-violent property offences, although there is a growing body of evidence to indicate that gambling can, on occasion, lead to violent crime. Yet, to date, there is limited empirical evidence on the nature and trajectory of the relationship between gambling and crime. The chapter also examines the relationship between problem gambling and the administration of criminal justice. It considers the degree to which problem gambling is identified and recorded by criminal justice agencies, as well as the extent to which it influences sentencing decision making. Furthermore, the chapter gives consideration to the scope and effectiveness of treatment services offered within criminal justice settings.
Article
Are experts or potential users better at predicting the success of a new product? To explore this question we used an eleven-point probability scale, the Juster Scale, to ask various groups of people about their probability of taking up a new product and also their assessment of its chance of its success in the marketplace. Although this type of scale generally performs better than intention scales it tends to over-predict when used in a repertoire market and we examine its performance for a boundary condition of such a market. We also explored the use of the scale as a projective research tool which is a novel application. In this study the product was a new type of charity lottery. The study was undertaken in the month prior to the lottery closing and we subsequently knew the actual outcome. The Juster Scale generally performed poorly as a predictor in this context. The predictions from the experts were no more accurate than those of the general public but none had direct knowledge of an equivalent lottery. This exploratory study concluded that the actual behaviour of a sample of relevant consumers, where the product is available, is better for forecasting than asking for estimates of their potential behaviour, that is, behaviour predicts behaviour better than probabilities of behaviour.
Article
Full-text available
It is widely believed that greater availability of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) has led to increases in problem gambling prevalence and related harms. It has also been proposed that individuals and populations adapt to exposure over time and that prevalence rates plateau or decline, even in the face of increasing availability. This study examines both hypotheses using a combined data set of 34 problem gambling surveys conducted in Australia and New Zealand since 1991. Strong statistically meaningful relationships were found for an increase in prevalence with increasing per capita density of EGMs, consistent with the access hypothesis and supported by no evidence of plateauing of prevalence with increasing density of EGMs. A decrease in prevalence over time with availability held constant is also evident, partially consistent with adaptation. It is likely that both forces are at work simultaneously, with implications for appropriate policy responses to gambling harm minimisation.
Article
The emphasis on achievements in everyday life on social status and monetary wealth encourages exploration of alternative earnings. Although social recreational gambling for most people is a leisure activity with family, friends and work colleagues, for a group of people the social recreational attributes have become distorted by their absolute quest for winning. Children are introduced to gambling by their parents and participate in gambling pursuits well before their legal age. Two Australian research samples are analysed, a youth sample and an adult sample. The youth sample includes 751 high school students, and explores young people’s gambling propensity, attitudes to gambling and reactions to losing money. The adult sample, based on 21 case studies, assesses pathways to excessive gambling. The paper explores whether or not early contact with recreational gambling together with family and friends creates an environment conducive to future gambling problems. The research shows that the adults’ gambling had gradually changed from a social recreational activity to an isolating, gambling focused act. This trend was present already among a group of young people, thus social indicators can be identified at an early stage among young people in their gambling propensity, however, the social indicators can also indicate further personal and social problems as excessive gamblers often present a combination of personal, social and emotional problems.
Article
This paper discusses gambling as a public health concern and outlines why local circumstances are central to such concerns. Using the framework of compositional and contextual factors to frame discussions, it is argued that the local circumstances of individuals and communities are critical to whether gambling activity is problematic. Unlike other similar public health issues for which there are clear parameters defining what is a problem and how severe the problem is, it is argued here that gambling-related problems are determined almost entirely by the circumstances in which the activity is occurring. As such, strategies designed to prevent or minimise gambling-related problems should target the local contextual environment and not just focus on the gamblers themselves, as has tended to occur to date.
Article
This paper investigates the nature and extent of gambling within the Vietnamese community in South Australia. It provides insights into the nature and prevalence of gambling, degree of community concern, awareness of services and their appropriateness, perceived barriers to access and suggestions from community member and bi-cultural workers for increasing the attractiveness and accessibility of services and the most appropriate service delivery model and referral process to achieve this aim.