Harm Minimization Training, Knowledge, and Behaviour of Canadian Casino Employees

Session Title

Session 3-4-B: Implementing Responsible Gambling

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

25-5-2023 3:30 PM

End Date

25-5-2023 5:00 PM

Disciplines

Other Public Health

Abstract

Casino employees regularly interact with problem and at-risk gamblers and thus have considerable potential to both prevent and reduce gambling-related harm. While harm minimization (HM) and responsible gambling (RG) are routinely espoused by the casino industry, the actual level of employee HM/RG training, knowledge, and behaviour is unknown. The present study investigated this issue in the Canadian context by examining employee surveys collected by the RG Check accreditation program (8,262 surveys from 78 Canadian casinos/racinos collected between 2011 and 2020). These surveys revealed that almost all casino employees receive HM/RG training, but the amount of training tends to be quite limited (one hour) except for supervisors, managers, and security personnel. Basic HM/RG knowledge among all employees appears adequate, although their understanding of probability is incomplete. The most important consideration is whether this training and knowledge translates into meaningful HM/RG behaviour towards patrons. Most employees (83.1%) report engaging in at least one HM/RG interaction with a patron at some point in their employment (median length of 4 to 9 years), with security personnel reporting the highest rates. However, the frequency, nature, and impact of these interactions is unknown. Implications: The effect of this training is likely low, and needs improvement.

Keywords

Gambling, Employee, Survey, Canada, RG check, Casino, Responsible gambling, Harm minimization

Author Bios

Darren R. Christensen is an associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, a board of governors research chair (tier II) at the University of Lethbridge, and a senior research fellow sponsored by the Alberta Gambling Research Institute. His research includes evaluations of the effectiveness of harm minimization measures, investigations of opioid antagonist dosing on gambling urge, agonist dosing on opioid withdrawal, and electroencephalography and neural imaging correlates of gambling urge and behavior.

Fiona Nicoll is a professor in political science at the University of Alberta.

Robert J. Williams is a professor in health science at the University of Lethbridge.

Carrie A. Shaw is a senior researcher at the University of Gibraltar.

Yale D. Belanger is a professor in political science at the University of Lethbridge.

Nady el-Guebaly is a professor in medicine at the University of Calgary.

David C. Hodgins is a professor in psychology at the University of Calgary.

Garry J. Smith is a professor in physical education and recreation at the University of Alberta.

Rhys M. G. Stevens is a librarian at the University of Lethbridge.

Funding Sources

This study is part of a comprehensive national study of gambling jointly funded by the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, GREO, and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI). Further information on this study can be found on our website: https://research.ucalgary.ca/alberta-gambling-research-institute/research/national-gambling-study

Competing Interests

All authors declare we have no competing interests.

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May 25th, 3:30 PM May 25th, 5:00 PM

Harm Minimization Training, Knowledge, and Behaviour of Canadian Casino Employees

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Casino employees regularly interact with problem and at-risk gamblers and thus have considerable potential to both prevent and reduce gambling-related harm. While harm minimization (HM) and responsible gambling (RG) are routinely espoused by the casino industry, the actual level of employee HM/RG training, knowledge, and behaviour is unknown. The present study investigated this issue in the Canadian context by examining employee surveys collected by the RG Check accreditation program (8,262 surveys from 78 Canadian casinos/racinos collected between 2011 and 2020). These surveys revealed that almost all casino employees receive HM/RG training, but the amount of training tends to be quite limited (one hour) except for supervisors, managers, and security personnel. Basic HM/RG knowledge among all employees appears adequate, although their understanding of probability is incomplete. The most important consideration is whether this training and knowledge translates into meaningful HM/RG behaviour towards patrons. Most employees (83.1%) report engaging in at least one HM/RG interaction with a patron at some point in their employment (median length of 4 to 9 years), with security personnel reporting the highest rates. However, the frequency, nature, and impact of these interactions is unknown. Implications: The effect of this training is likely low, and needs improvement.