Project 1
Gamblers tell their stories: An in-depth exploration of lifetime patterns of gambling.
The objective of this research is to conduct an in-depth, lifetime investigation of patterns of gambling behaviour. The vast majority of gambling research only allows us a brief look at factors impacting on gambling behaviour at a single point in time.
We will use life histories that we have now collected from interviews with 48 gamblers (both social gamblers and problem gamblers) to allow us to gain insight into how gamblers perceive their gambling patterns to have changed over time. Life histories may enable a deeper understanding of the influence of family of origin and major life events on gambling behaviours. We are also interested to explore choice of gambling products, self-regulation strategies and socio-environmental factors on gambling and gambling-related harm.
This type of investigation will provide insight into how different factors occurring across time affect and change the way people gamble, why they gamble and the riskiness of their gambling. Analysis of data from the interviews is ongoing, and should provide insight into onset of gambling, when and why patterns of gambling move from safe to risky or from risky to safe, and what harms result from risky gambling.
Project 2
Evaluation of the removal of ATMs from Victorian gaming venues
From 1 July 2012, ATMs will be prohibited in gaming venues in Victoria. The Victorian Government is funding an evaluation of the effectiveness of this prohibition on ATMs in gaming venues, which will run from late 2011 to 2013.
A team of researchers from Swinburne University conduct the evaluation, which will assess the:
- effectiveness of the removal of ATMs from gaming venues as a problem gambling harm reduction measure
- effectiveness of the removal of ATMs from gaming venues as a consumer protection measure for recreational gamblers
- costs and unintended consequences of removing ATMs from venues, including the effect on venue patrons who are not gambling
The evaluation will be an evidence based, methodologically rigorous investigation of the effect of prohibiting ATMs in Victorian gaming venues. It will allow a detailed assessment of the cost effectiveness of the policy.
The evaluation will comprise a multi-stage, mixed method design. This will include:
- surveys of 750 venue patrons before and after ATMs are removed from venues
- a survey of all Victorian venues after ATMs are removed
- interviews and focus groups with venue patrons
- interviews with venue staff
- observations and geographic analysis
- interviews with key stakeholders
The ATMs Evaluation Reference Group, a working group of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council, will provide advice and support to the evaluation team. The Reference Group includes industry, academic, local government, Department of Justice and community representatives.
