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

Technology and Innovation

Abstract

Abstract:

This session will highlight the value of a new EGM Affordability Model specifically adapted for changes in play due to COVID-19. Affordability of play has become a critical regulatory priority that is gaining greater traction worldwide as a gaming provider responsibility. The research presented here can inform a more sophisticated approach that is easy to operationalize, does not require a burden of proof on operators, and simultaneously yields greater results in identifying players spending beyond their abilities. The authors conducted research from 2014-2020, interviewing 10,500 regular electronic machine gamblers in land-based casinos in three countries administering the PGSI and FLAGs: a risk instrument that can be used to identify those spending beyond affordable limits including gambling with money that does not belong to them. The research shows that these players typically spend and play less than other regular gamblers. As a result, arbitrary affordability thresholds and current methods identifying high-risk gamblers that rely on the length of session and amount wagered are unlikely to find and assist these vulnerable over-spenders, even though they are more likely to be experiencing negative consequences due to their gambling.

Implications:

This session describes the survey results, construct creation, testing, and behavioral cues using machine data that can be used to identify at-risk players and the resulting profiles of ‘Over-spenders’ in terms of beliefs, motives, risky practices, obsession with gambling, and experience of negative consequences. Managerial and regulatory implications are presented.

Keywords

Safer gambling, player protection, affordability, over-spenders, length of play, machine data.

Author Bios

Dr. Tony Schellinck is the CEO of Focal Research Consultants, and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University. During his full-time tenure at Dalhousie University, Tony held the FC Manning Chair in Economics and Business, publishing articles and papers in consumer psychology, research methods and gambling. At Focal, Tony leads a team of data analysts and engineers setting new standards in risk detection and safer gambling through research, data insights, leading-edge processes, analysis, and predictive modelling.

Funding Sources

No outside funding sources were involved in the research and development of the Affordability Model.

Competing Interests

None

Download

Share

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

Finding the Invisible At-Risk Player - Using technology to help identify customers spending beyond affordable limits

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Abstract:

This session will highlight the value of a new EGM Affordability Model specifically adapted for changes in play due to COVID-19. Affordability of play has become a critical regulatory priority that is gaining greater traction worldwide as a gaming provider responsibility. The research presented here can inform a more sophisticated approach that is easy to operationalize, does not require a burden of proof on operators, and simultaneously yields greater results in identifying players spending beyond their abilities. The authors conducted research from 2014-2020, interviewing 10,500 regular electronic machine gamblers in land-based casinos in three countries administering the PGSI and FLAGs: a risk instrument that can be used to identify those spending beyond affordable limits including gambling with money that does not belong to them. The research shows that these players typically spend and play less than other regular gamblers. As a result, arbitrary affordability thresholds and current methods identifying high-risk gamblers that rely on the length of session and amount wagered are unlikely to find and assist these vulnerable over-spenders, even though they are more likely to be experiencing negative consequences due to their gambling.

Implications:

This session describes the survey results, construct creation, testing, and behavioral cues using machine data that can be used to identify at-risk players and the resulting profiles of ‘Over-spenders’ in terms of beliefs, motives, risky practices, obsession with gambling, and experience of negative consequences. Managerial and regulatory implications are presented.