Our Current Study

Problem gambling vulnerability: The interaction between access, individual cognitions and group beliefs/preferences

This research is designed to examine vulnerability and resilience to problem gambling. More specifically, the project will assess the interactions between access to gambling products and the various thought processes and decision-making strategies that are associated with problem gambling. In order to elucidate the factors that impact on resilience to problem gambling, it is a particular aim of the project to examine interactions between access and self-restricting strategies of those who have managed to moderate their gambling. Furthermore, in addition to exploring the relationships between gambling cognitions and access for individuals, it is also an intention to assess these interactions across specific groups for which there is already some evidence of differences in gambling beliefs, preferences and decision-making strategies (e.g. groups based on culture, gender, age). In this way, recommendations relating to access and gambling restrictions will be able to be made.

This research is designed to inform:

  1. the identification of groups vulnerable to problem gambling
  2. government and council policy around the regulation of local environments so as to minimise problem gambling within at risk communities
  3. ways in which gambling venues can modify gambling environment (or access) so as to facilitate user self-regulation
  4. the development of models to identify the psychosocial and cultural factors that enable some groups and individuals to limit their gambling, thus making them more resilient

For more information on our current study, download "The Details" in PDF format (156Kb)