Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies 4/2009

01-12-2009 | Original Paper

The Development of a Multi-dimensional Gambling Accessibility Scale

Authors: Nerilee Hing, John Haw

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 4/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to develop a scale of gambling accessibility that would have theoretical significance to exposure theory and also serve to highlight the accessibility risk factors for problem gambling. Scale items were generated from the Productivity Commission’s (Australia’s Gambling Industries: Report No. 10. AusInfo, Canberra, 1999) recommendations and tested on a group with high exposure to the gambling environment. In total, 533 gaming venue employees (aged 18–70 years; 67% women) completed a questionnaire that included six 13-item scales measuring accessibility across a range of gambling forms (gaming machines, keno, casino table games, lotteries, horse and dog racing, sports betting). Also included in the questionnaire was the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) along with measures of gambling frequency and expenditure. Principal components analysis indicated that a common three factor structure existed across all forms of gambling and these were labelled social accessibility, physical accessibility and cognitive accessibility. However, convergent validity was not demonstrated with inconsistent correlations between each subscale and measures of gambling behaviour. These results are discussed in light of exposure theory and the further development of a multi-dimensional measure of gambling accessibility.
Literature
go back to reference Abbott, M. W. (2001). What do we know about gambling and problem gambling in New Zealand? Report number seven of the New Zealand gaming survey. Wellington: The Department of Internal Affairs. Abbott, M. W. (2001). What do we know about gambling and problem gambling in New Zealand? Report number seven of the New Zealand gaming survey. Wellington: The Department of Internal Affairs.
go back to reference Abbott, M. (2006). Do EGMs and problem gambling go together like a horse and carriage? Gambling Research, 18(1), 7–38. Abbott, M. (2006). Do EGMs and problem gambling go together like a horse and carriage? Gambling Research, 18(1), 7–38.
go back to reference Adams, G., Sullivan, A., Horton, K., Menna, R., & Guilmette, A. (2007). A study of the differences in Canadian university students’ gambling and proximity to a casino. Journal of Gambling Issues, 19, 9–17.CrossRef Adams, G., Sullivan, A., Horton, K., Menna, R., & Guilmette, A. (2007). A study of the differences in Canadian university students’ gambling and proximity to a casino. Journal of Gambling Issues, 19, 9–17.CrossRef
go back to reference Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006a). Catalogue No. 8684.0: Gambling services. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006a). Catalogue No. 8684.0: Gambling services. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
go back to reference Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006b). Catalogue No. 8687.0: Clubs, pubs, taverns and bars. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006b). Catalogue No. 8687.0: Clubs, pubs, taverns and bars. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.
go back to reference Barron, J. M., Staton, M. E., & Wilshusen, S. M. (2002). The impact of casino gambling on personal bankruptcy filing rates. Contemporary Economic Policy, 20, 440–455.CrossRef Barron, J. M., Staton, M. E., & Wilshusen, S. M. (2002). The impact of casino gambling on personal bankruptcy filing rates. Contemporary Economic Policy, 20, 440–455.CrossRef
go back to reference Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97, 487–499.CrossRefPubMed Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97, 487–499.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Boardman, B., & Perry, J. J. (2007). Access to gambling and declaring personal bankruptcy. The Journal of Socio-Economics, 36, 789–801.CrossRef Boardman, B., & Perry, J. J. (2007). Access to gambling and declaring personal bankruptcy. The Journal of Socio-Economics, 36, 789–801.CrossRef
go back to reference Centre for Gambling Research. (2004). GRP report No. 6: 2003 Victorian longitudinal community attitudes survey. Melbourne: Gambling Research Panel. Centre for Gambling Research. (2004). GRP report No. 6: 2003 Victorian longitudinal community attitudes survey. Melbourne: Gambling Research Panel.
go back to reference Chhabra, D. (2007). Ethnicity and marginality effects on casino gambling. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 13(3), 221–238.CrossRef Chhabra, D. (2007). Ethnicity and marginality effects on casino gambling. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 13(3), 221–238.CrossRef
go back to reference Clarke, D., Tse, S., Abbott, M., Townsend, S., Kingi, P., & Manaia, W. (2007). Reasons for starting and continuing gambling in a mixed ethnic community sample of pathological and non-problem gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 7, 299–313.CrossRef Clarke, D., Tse, S., Abbott, M., Townsend, S., Kingi, P., & Manaia, W. (2007). Reasons for starting and continuing gambling in a mixed ethnic community sample of pathological and non-problem gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 7, 299–313.CrossRef
go back to reference Delfabbro, P. H. (2002). The distribution of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and gambling related harm in metropolitan Adelaide. Report commissioned by the Independent Gambling Authority of South Australia. Delfabbro, P. H. (2002). The distribution of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and gambling related harm in metropolitan Adelaide. Report commissioned by the Independent Gambling Authority of South Australia.
go back to reference Delfabbro, P. H. (2008). Australasian gambling review (3rd ed.). Adelaide: Independent Gambling Authority. Delfabbro, P. H. (2008). Australasian gambling review (3rd ed.). Adelaide: Independent Gambling Authority.
go back to reference Doran, B. J., McMillen, J., & Marshall, D. C. (2007). A GIS-based investigation of gaming venue catchments. Transactions in GIS, 11(4), 575–595.CrossRef Doran, B. J., McMillen, J., & Marshall, D. C. (2007). A GIS-based investigation of gaming venue catchments. Transactions in GIS, 11(4), 575–595.CrossRef
go back to reference Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian problem gambling index: Final report. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian problem gambling index: Final report. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
go back to reference Field, A. P. (2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS (2nd ed.). London: Sage. Field, A. P. (2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
go back to reference Hinch, T., & Walker, G. J. (2005). Casino markets: A study of tourist and local patrons. Tourism & Hospitality Research, 6, 72–87.CrossRef Hinch, T., & Walker, G. J. (2005). Casino markets: A study of tourist and local patrons. Tourism & Hospitality Research, 6, 72–87.CrossRef
go back to reference Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2006). Workplace factors that encourage and discourage gambling amongst gaming venue employees: An employees’ perspective. Gambling Research, 18, 7–32. Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2006). Workplace factors that encourage and discourage gambling amongst gaming venue employees: An employees’ perspective. Gambling Research, 18, 7–32.
go back to reference Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2007). Workplace factors that encourage and discourage gambling amongst gaming venue employees: A manager’s perspective. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 5, 346–366.CrossRef Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2007). Workplace factors that encourage and discourage gambling amongst gaming venue employees: A manager’s perspective. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 5, 346–366.CrossRef
go back to reference Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008a). How working in a gaming venue can lead to problem gambling. The experiences of six gaming venue staff. Journal of Gambling Issues, 21, 11–29. Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008a). How working in a gaming venue can lead to problem gambling. The experiences of six gaming venue staff. Journal of Gambling Issues, 21, 11–29.
go back to reference Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008b). Gambling problems among gambling venue employees. A preliminary survey. The Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 24, 329–341. Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008b). Gambling problems among gambling venue employees. A preliminary survey. The Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 24, 329–341.
go back to reference Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008c). Risk and protective factors relating to gambling by employees of gaming venues. International Gambling Studies, 18, 1–23.CrossRef Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008c). Risk and protective factors relating to gambling by employees of gaming venues. International Gambling Studies, 18, 1–23.CrossRef
go back to reference Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., Ferland, F., & Giroux, I. (1999). Prevalence of problem gambling: A replication study 7 years later. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 44, 802–804. Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., Ferland, F., & Giroux, I. (1999). Prevalence of problem gambling: A replication study 7 years later. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 44, 802–804.
go back to reference Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., Sevigny, S., & Cantionotti, M. (2005). Impact of the format, arrangement and availability of electronic gaming machines outside casinos on gambling. International Gambling Studies, 5(2), 139–154.CrossRef Ladouceur, R., Jacques, C., Sevigny, S., & Cantionotti, M. (2005). Impact of the format, arrangement and availability of electronic gaming machines outside casinos on gambling. International Gambling Studies, 5(2), 139–154.CrossRef
go back to reference Livingstone, C. (2001). Regional caps on poker machine numbers: Impacts, potential impacts and issues. Discussion paper prepared for the City of Darebin. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Primary Care. Livingstone, C. (2001). Regional caps on poker machine numbers: Impacts, potential impacts and issues. Discussion paper prepared for the City of Darebin. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Primary Care.
go back to reference Marshall, D. (2005). The gambling environment and gambler behaviour: Evidence from the Richmond-Tweed, Australia. International Gambling Studies, 5(1), 63–83.CrossRef Marshall, D. (2005). The gambling environment and gambler behaviour: Evidence from the Richmond-Tweed, Australia. International Gambling Studies, 5(1), 63–83.CrossRef
go back to reference Marshall, D. C., & Baker, R. G. V. (2002). The evolving market structures of gambling: Case studies modelling the socio-economic assignment of gaming machines in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 273–291.CrossRefPubMed Marshall, D. C., & Baker, R. G. V. (2002). The evolving market structures of gambling: Case studies modelling the socio-economic assignment of gaming machines in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18, 273–291.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Marshall, D., McMillen, J., Niemeyer, S., & Doran, B. (2004). Gaming machine accessibility and use in suburban Canberra: A detailed analysis of the Tuggeranong Valley. Canberra: ANU Centre for Gambling Research. Marshall, D., McMillen, J., Niemeyer, S., & Doran, B. (2004). Gaming machine accessibility and use in suburban Canberra: A detailed analysis of the Tuggeranong Valley. Canberra: ANU Centre for Gambling Research.
go back to reference McMillen, J., & Doran, B. (2006). Problem gambling and gaming machine density: Socio-spatial analysis of three Victorian localities. International Gambling Studies, 6, 5–29.CrossRef McMillen, J., & Doran, B. (2006). Problem gambling and gaming machine density: Socio-spatial analysis of three Victorian localities. International Gambling Studies, 6, 5–29.CrossRef
go back to reference Moore, S., Thomas, A., Kyrios, M., Bates, G., & Meredyth, D. (2008, December). Gambling access preferences of at-risk and social gamblers. Paper presented at National Association for Gambling Studies Annual Conference. Adelaide. Moore, S., Thomas, A., Kyrios, M., Bates, G., & Meredyth, D. (2008, December). Gambling access preferences of at-risk and social gamblers. Paper presented at National Association for Gambling Studies Annual Conference. Adelaide.
go back to reference Pearce, J., Mason, K., Hiscock, R., & Day, P. (2008). A national study of neighbourhood access to gambling opportunities and individual gambling behaviour. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62, 862–868.CrossRefPubMed Pearce, J., Mason, K., Hiscock, R., & Day, P. (2008). A national study of neighbourhood access to gambling opportunities and individual gambling behaviour. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62, 862–868.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Perese, L., Bellringer, M., & Abbott, M. (2005). Literature review to inform social marketing objectives and approaches and behaviour change indicators to prevent and minimize gambling harm. Wellington: Gambling Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology. Perese, L., Bellringer, M., & Abbott, M. (2005). Literature review to inform social marketing objectives and approaches and behaviour change indicators to prevent and minimize gambling harm. Wellington: Gambling Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology.
go back to reference Potenza, M., Maciejewski, P., & Mazure, C. (2006). A gender-based examination of past-year recreational gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22(1), 41–64.CrossRefPubMed Potenza, M., Maciejewski, P., & Mazure, C. (2006). A gender-based examination of past-year recreational gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 22(1), 41–64.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Productivity Commission. (1999). Australia’s gambling industries: Report No. 10. Canberra: AusInfo. Productivity Commission. (1999). Australia’s gambling industries: Report No. 10. Canberra: AusInfo.
go back to reference Robson, C. (2002). Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell. Robson, C. (2002). Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell.
go back to reference Shaffer, H. J., & Korn, D. A. (2002). Gambling and related mental disorders: A public health analysis. Annual Review of Public Health, 23, 171–212.CrossRefPubMed Shaffer, H. J., & Korn, D. A. (2002). Gambling and related mental disorders: A public health analysis. Annual Review of Public Health, 23, 171–212.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Shaffer, H. J., La Brie, R. A., & La Plante, D. A. (2004a). Laying the foundation for quantifying regional exposure to social phenomena: Considering the case of legalized gambling as a public health toxin. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18, 40–48.CrossRefPubMed Shaffer, H. J., La Brie, R. A., & La Plante, D. A. (2004a). Laying the foundation for quantifying regional exposure to social phenomena: Considering the case of legalized gambling as a public health toxin. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 18, 40–48.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Shaffer, H. J., La Brie, R. A., La Plante, D. A., Nelson, S. E., & Stanton, (2004b). The road less travelled: Moving from distribution to determinants in the study of gambling epidemiology. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 49, 504–516. Shaffer, H. J., La Brie, R. A., La Plante, D. A., Nelson, S. E., & Stanton, (2004b). The road less travelled: Moving from distribution to determinants in the study of gambling epidemiology. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 49, 504–516.
go back to reference Thomas, A. C., Sullivan, G. B., & Allen, F. C. L. (2008). A theoretical model of EGM problem gambling: More than a cognitive escape. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. doi: 10.1007/s11469-008-9152-6. Thomas, A. C., Sullivan, G. B., & Allen, F. C. L. (2008). A theoretical model of EGM problem gambling: More than a cognitive escape. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. doi: 10.​1007/​s11469-008-9152-6.
go back to reference Walker, G. J., & Hinch, T. (2006). Segmenting casino tourists mode by experience. Annals of Tourism Research, 33(2), 568–571.CrossRef Walker, G. J., & Hinch, T. (2006). Segmenting casino tourists mode by experience. Annals of Tourism Research, 33(2), 568–571.CrossRef
go back to reference Welte, J. W., Wieczorek, W., Barnes, G., Tidwell, M., & Hoffman, J. (2004). The relationship of ecological and geographic factors to gambling behavior and pathology. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18(4), 313–337.CrossRef Welte, J. W., Wieczorek, W., Barnes, G., Tidwell, M., & Hoffman, J. (2004). The relationship of ecological and geographic factors to gambling behavior and pathology. Journal of Gambling Studies, 18(4), 313–337.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The Development of a Multi-dimensional Gambling Accessibility Scale
Authors
Nerilee Hing
John Haw
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 4/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-009-9144-x

Other articles of this Issue 4/2009

Journal of Gambling Studies 4/2009 Go to the issue