Bo J. Bernhard* David R. Dickens Paul D. Shapiro In his acclaimed 2000 book Bowling Alone. Robert... more Bo J. Bernhard* David R. Dickens Paul D. Shapiro In his acclaimed 2000 book Bowling Alone. Robert Putnam documents a disturbing social trend of the broadest kind. Putnam cites a wide variety of data that indicate that over the past fifty years, Americans have become increasingly socially disengaged. In developing this theme, Putnam specifically cites the increase in casino gambling (and especially machine gambling) as evidence in support of his argument. Building on the empirical and theoretical work of Putnam, this exploratory article examines the subphenomenon of "gambling alone" by exploring sample survey data on solitary and social gambling behavior among adults who reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. Specifically, to further understand these phenomena, a number of demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral variables are examined for their explanatory power in predicting solitary vs. social gambling behavior.
The history of anti-gambling impulses is perhaps as old as the gambling impulse itself, but acade... more The history of anti-gambling impulses is perhaps as old as the gambling impulse itself, but academic research has thus far neglected the topic of anti-gambling social movements. Using social movement literature as a theoretical guide and ethnographic content analysis as a methodological tool, this paper examines anti-gambling documents produced in the United States over nearly two hundred years. During this period, three distinct periods emerge: first, an early (1816-1915) period framed the gambling act on strict religious grounds as an individual sin. This religious framing was then challenged by the rise of more rational and scientifically-based medical discourses on problem gambling (1915-1980). From 1980 through the present, gambling opponents have modified (and in some cases reversed) their argumentsand now incorporate both moral and scientific rhetoric into their claims. Drawing from sociological research and theory, we identify a process of "frame inversion" in whic...
Despite the size and scope of responsible gambling (RG) programs in the U.S., relatively few stud... more Despite the size and scope of responsible gambling (RG) programs in the U.S., relatively few studies have evaluated these programs. Using survey data from 4795 subscribers to a casino loyalty program, we examined respondents’ awareness of and engagement with the GameSense RG program, and gambling beliefs and behaviors. We compared how differences in the implementation structure and visibility of the GameSense program (i.e., state-regulated with a standalone, branded GameSense center vs. corporate-integrated as part of loyalty program desks) was associated with GameSense awareness and engagement, perceptions of gambling operator RG practices, three Positive Play subscales (i.e., behavior, personal responsibility, and gambling literacy), understanding of gambling concepts, and use of RG strategies. More respondents who had visited the property with a state-regulated, branded center were aware of GameSense (36.5%), compared to respondents who visited other properties (7.4%). Perceptions of the operator’s RG practices were generally high for all respondents. Multivariate analyses revealed no relationship between GameSense awareness and gambling belief or behavior outcomes, yet showed that respondents who picked up a GameSense brochure used slightly more RG strategies. Our findings suggest that the visibility of an RG program might influence program awareness and engagement but not certain RG-related behavioral outcomes.
Objective: Academics, gambling regulators, and the gambling industry increasingly espouse a share... more Objective: Academics, gambling regulators, and the gambling industry increasingly espouse a shared responsibility view of preventing gambling harm, considering individual gamblers and external stakeholders (e.g., gambling industry employees, government regulators, and public health workers) to be jointly responsible for this task. This study is the third in a series exploring gamblers' beliefs about responsibility for preventing gambling harm. Method: A sample of 4,336 subscribers to MGM Resorts International (MGM)'s loyalty card program as of January 2020 completed a web-based survey. Results: We observed that 58.1% of participants only held individual gamblers responsible for helping prevent gambling harm. However, two factors increased the likelihood of holding a shared responsibility viewpoint and assigning responsibility to casinos for reducing gambling harm: (a) scoring positive on the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) or an Expanded Problem Gambling Screen (EPGS) and (b) being aware of GameSense, an onsite responsible gambling education program. Those who screened positive on the BBGS or EPGS also were more likely than their counterparts to deny personal responsibility for minimizing gambling harm to individual gamblers; that is, they were more likely to hold a purely external responsibility viewpoint. A meta-analytic year-over-year comparison revealed that compared to being aware of GameSense, screening positive for problem gambling was more strongly associated with assigning responsibility to casinos for minimizing gambling harm. Conclusions: We discuss these findings in the context of self-determination theory and suggest implications for health promotion and best practices for message design in responsible gambling programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Increasingly, gambling stakeholders communicate that minimizing gambling harm is a shared societa... more Increasingly, gambling stakeholders communicate that minimizing gambling harm is a shared societal responsibility. Individual gamblers' beliefs about responsibility for minimizing gambling harm are worthy of study because these beliefs might influence gambling behavior. In this study, using a sample of casino loyalty program subscribers (N = 4,795), we observed that respondents who had a positive result on a brief gambling disorder screen were more likely than those who screened negative to hold seven stakeholder groups (i.e., scientists, clinicians, casino employees, government regulators, public health officials, casino industry lobbyists, public safety officials) responsible for helping to minimize gambling harm. The sum of stakeholder groups held responsible for minimizing gambling harm, along with beliefs that casinos share responsibility for encouraging responsible gambling behavior, predicted gambling disorder screening status after controlling for established problem gambling risk factors. These results replicated our previous study using a mostly independent sample. Contrary to our expectations, beliefs about responsibility for mitigating gambling harm were mostly unrelated to measures of gambling involvement. These results provided additional support for the notion that those who are at risk for gambling harm are especially likely to hold others responsible for minimizing such harm. However, they call into question the role of gambling involvement in this relationship.
Academic studies of employee perceptions of and engagement with responsible gambling (RG) provide... more Academic studies of employee perceptions of and engagement with responsible gambling (RG) provide important insight into how employees engage with RG, but typically treat employees as a singular entity. Employees in different departments, however, have different work experiences that affect their likelihood of directly interacting with gamblers. It is conceivable that degree of contact with gamblers affects employees' opinions about RG. To examine this possibility, we surveyed cohorts of employees at MGM Resorts International (MGM) (N = 2,192) regarding their (1) perceptions of RG programs, (2) behaviors and beliefs about gambling, and (3) comfort with MGM's corporate RG environment. Using MANCOVA, with years employed in the gambling industry as a covariate, we observed that employees in departments with less direct contact with gamblers were more likely to perceive RG programs to be effective at MGM than employees who have more direct contact with gamblers. In addition, employees who work in the Food, Beverage, & Retail departments were more likely to hold misconceptions about gambling than employees in Back of House operations. The differences in how departments view RG programs suggest that one-size-fits-all approaches to employee training might not be suitable for RG topics, and that position-based training might be necessary.
A considerable body of literature has examined elements of responsible gambling (RG) programs in ... more A considerable body of literature has examined elements of responsible gambling (RG) programs in land-based gambling venues. The present pre-registered study examines GameSense RG program awareness and engagement trends and relationships with gambling beliefs and behaviors, at MGM's U.S.-based casino properties using three samples of MGM's loyalty program members. We used a repeated cross-sectional approach including observational data collected from one sample (N = 3748) shortly before the rollout of GameSense in 2017-2018, and from two samples collected 1 year (N = 4795) and 2 years (N = 3927) after the program's implementation. We found that awareness of the GameSense program increased between pre-and 1-year post-implementation, yet did not increase further at 2-years post-implementation. Bivariate analyses showed that respondents who were aware of more GameSense components had a better understanding of gambling concepts and used more RG strategies, whereas respondents who engaged with GameSense used more RG strategies than those who did not, but did not display a better understanding of gambling concepts. The relationship between GameSense awareness and self-reported use of RG strategies remained significant in multivariate analyses with covariates. Moderation analyses indicated that a positive effect of overall GameSense engagement on gambling literacy was only found for respondents who had attended a regional property, as compared to respondents who attended Las Vegas or metropolitan properties. All effect sizes were weak, which suggests that practical impacts of the program currently are limited. Our findings have implications for research on land-based RG programs and we provide recommendations for enhancing such programs.
This study investigates the professional experiences of executives in gambling and hospitality or... more This study investigates the professional experiences of executives in gambling and hospitality organizations from jurisdictions around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative research uses semistructured interviews centering around three phases of crisis management:preparedness, in terms of crisis/disaster plans before COVID-19; response, addressing topics such as current COVID-19 crisis management, employment conditions, and marketing strategies; andfuture, concerning future plans for investments and expected changes in customers' behaviors. Leaders' predictions of customers' behaviors, especially with regard to the use of online platforms, can help set the foundation for future technology-based service interactions. Moreover, this analysis investigates how the COVID-19 crisis can represent an opportunity for innovation and diversification, especially in terms of new technologies and corporate social responsibility. Future research opportunities in crisis management in hospitality are discussed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated countless research questions for academics in every conceivab... more The COVID-19 pandemic has generated countless research questions for academics in every conceivable field. Chief among those are the biomedical questions, particularly those related to diagnosis, prevention and treatment (National Institutes of Health, 2020), as this public health crisis relentlessly spreads across the globe. Meanwhile, virtually every other research field finds itself exploring the intersections of those biomedical questions with more specific queries on a range of everyday impacts. Of course, all pieces written during these times must begin with the disclaimer, "as of this writing," but as of this writing, Sweden's approach to COVID-19 has captured the imaginations of critical thinkers worldwide. Sweden has resisted the tendency of governments to shut down society, instead electing for a more sustainable approach where, for example, borders, schools, and many businesses remain open (Paterlini, 2020). While this is still far from a fully open society, the jury is still out on whether this "more open" strategy is effective (see, e.g., Dias, 2020). Our question here is simple: what can the rest of the gaming world learn from what we might call "The Sweden Experiment"? This is a highly important consideration, as it could be that many casinos are entering into a world that Sweden has recently inhabited (as they reopen in the midst of a pandemic). As Anders Tegnell, Sweden's Chief Epidemiologist, recently pointed out, "(But) if you look at the exit strategies that now many countries have opted for, they look very much like Sweden's (strategy and restrictions)," (Ellyatt, 2020).
By accessing, reading, storing, distributing, and archiving this research report, you hereby agre... more By accessing, reading, storing, distributing, and archiving this research report, you hereby agree, fully and without dispute, to all terms and conditions contained in this 'Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions of Use'.
The Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, Dec 3, 2021
The number of countries and cities implementing smoking bans has increased significantly over the... more The number of countries and cities implementing smoking bans has increased significantly over the last couple decades with smoking bans becoming more inclusive with less exemptions being given. Casinos though still have an exemption in most areas since there is uncertainty of the effect to gaming volume but there is a new call to action due to COVID-19. This study evaluates the long-term effects of a smoking ban in Kangwon Land Casino in South Korea. A time series ARIMA model for April 2003 to May 2013 was conducted to determine if the new smoking ban in public gaming areas significantly affected table games drop or slot coin-in, which are the two most common indicators of gaming volume for casinos. Results show that the smoking ban did not significantly impact table games drop or slot coin-in. The results of this study indicate that in the long-term a smoking ban in public areas does not significantly decrease gaming volume. These results add to the minimal studies on the long-term effects of a smoking ban while also being the first study to evaluate an Asian casino.
Bo J. Bernhard* David R. Dickens Paul D. Shapiro In his acclaimed 2000 book Bowling Alone. Robert... more Bo J. Bernhard* David R. Dickens Paul D. Shapiro In his acclaimed 2000 book Bowling Alone. Robert Putnam documents a disturbing social trend of the broadest kind. Putnam cites a wide variety of data that indicate that over the past fifty years, Americans have become increasingly socially disengaged. In developing this theme, Putnam specifically cites the increase in casino gambling (and especially machine gambling) as evidence in support of his argument. Building on the empirical and theoretical work of Putnam, this exploratory article examines the subphenomenon of "gambling alone" by exploring sample survey data on solitary and social gambling behavior among adults who reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. Specifically, to further understand these phenomena, a number of demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral variables are examined for their explanatory power in predicting solitary vs. social gambling behavior.
The history of anti-gambling impulses is perhaps as old as the gambling impulse itself, but acade... more The history of anti-gambling impulses is perhaps as old as the gambling impulse itself, but academic research has thus far neglected the topic of anti-gambling social movements. Using social movement literature as a theoretical guide and ethnographic content analysis as a methodological tool, this paper examines anti-gambling documents produced in the United States over nearly two hundred years. During this period, three distinct periods emerge: first, an early (1816-1915) period framed the gambling act on strict religious grounds as an individual sin. This religious framing was then challenged by the rise of more rational and scientifically-based medical discourses on problem gambling (1915-1980). From 1980 through the present, gambling opponents have modified (and in some cases reversed) their argumentsand now incorporate both moral and scientific rhetoric into their claims. Drawing from sociological research and theory, we identify a process of "frame inversion" in whic...
Despite the size and scope of responsible gambling (RG) programs in the U.S., relatively few stud... more Despite the size and scope of responsible gambling (RG) programs in the U.S., relatively few studies have evaluated these programs. Using survey data from 4795 subscribers to a casino loyalty program, we examined respondents’ awareness of and engagement with the GameSense RG program, and gambling beliefs and behaviors. We compared how differences in the implementation structure and visibility of the GameSense program (i.e., state-regulated with a standalone, branded GameSense center vs. corporate-integrated as part of loyalty program desks) was associated with GameSense awareness and engagement, perceptions of gambling operator RG practices, three Positive Play subscales (i.e., behavior, personal responsibility, and gambling literacy), understanding of gambling concepts, and use of RG strategies. More respondents who had visited the property with a state-regulated, branded center were aware of GameSense (36.5%), compared to respondents who visited other properties (7.4%). Perceptions of the operator’s RG practices were generally high for all respondents. Multivariate analyses revealed no relationship between GameSense awareness and gambling belief or behavior outcomes, yet showed that respondents who picked up a GameSense brochure used slightly more RG strategies. Our findings suggest that the visibility of an RG program might influence program awareness and engagement but not certain RG-related behavioral outcomes.
Objective: Academics, gambling regulators, and the gambling industry increasingly espouse a share... more Objective: Academics, gambling regulators, and the gambling industry increasingly espouse a shared responsibility view of preventing gambling harm, considering individual gamblers and external stakeholders (e.g., gambling industry employees, government regulators, and public health workers) to be jointly responsible for this task. This study is the third in a series exploring gamblers' beliefs about responsibility for preventing gambling harm. Method: A sample of 4,336 subscribers to MGM Resorts International (MGM)'s loyalty card program as of January 2020 completed a web-based survey. Results: We observed that 58.1% of participants only held individual gamblers responsible for helping prevent gambling harm. However, two factors increased the likelihood of holding a shared responsibility viewpoint and assigning responsibility to casinos for reducing gambling harm: (a) scoring positive on the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) or an Expanded Problem Gambling Screen (EPGS) and (b) being aware of GameSense, an onsite responsible gambling education program. Those who screened positive on the BBGS or EPGS also were more likely than their counterparts to deny personal responsibility for minimizing gambling harm to individual gamblers; that is, they were more likely to hold a purely external responsibility viewpoint. A meta-analytic year-over-year comparison revealed that compared to being aware of GameSense, screening positive for problem gambling was more strongly associated with assigning responsibility to casinos for minimizing gambling harm. Conclusions: We discuss these findings in the context of self-determination theory and suggest implications for health promotion and best practices for message design in responsible gambling programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Increasingly, gambling stakeholders communicate that minimizing gambling harm is a shared societa... more Increasingly, gambling stakeholders communicate that minimizing gambling harm is a shared societal responsibility. Individual gamblers' beliefs about responsibility for minimizing gambling harm are worthy of study because these beliefs might influence gambling behavior. In this study, using a sample of casino loyalty program subscribers (N = 4,795), we observed that respondents who had a positive result on a brief gambling disorder screen were more likely than those who screened negative to hold seven stakeholder groups (i.e., scientists, clinicians, casino employees, government regulators, public health officials, casino industry lobbyists, public safety officials) responsible for helping to minimize gambling harm. The sum of stakeholder groups held responsible for minimizing gambling harm, along with beliefs that casinos share responsibility for encouraging responsible gambling behavior, predicted gambling disorder screening status after controlling for established problem gambling risk factors. These results replicated our previous study using a mostly independent sample. Contrary to our expectations, beliefs about responsibility for mitigating gambling harm were mostly unrelated to measures of gambling involvement. These results provided additional support for the notion that those who are at risk for gambling harm are especially likely to hold others responsible for minimizing such harm. However, they call into question the role of gambling involvement in this relationship.
Academic studies of employee perceptions of and engagement with responsible gambling (RG) provide... more Academic studies of employee perceptions of and engagement with responsible gambling (RG) provide important insight into how employees engage with RG, but typically treat employees as a singular entity. Employees in different departments, however, have different work experiences that affect their likelihood of directly interacting with gamblers. It is conceivable that degree of contact with gamblers affects employees' opinions about RG. To examine this possibility, we surveyed cohorts of employees at MGM Resorts International (MGM) (N = 2,192) regarding their (1) perceptions of RG programs, (2) behaviors and beliefs about gambling, and (3) comfort with MGM's corporate RG environment. Using MANCOVA, with years employed in the gambling industry as a covariate, we observed that employees in departments with less direct contact with gamblers were more likely to perceive RG programs to be effective at MGM than employees who have more direct contact with gamblers. In addition, employees who work in the Food, Beverage, & Retail departments were more likely to hold misconceptions about gambling than employees in Back of House operations. The differences in how departments view RG programs suggest that one-size-fits-all approaches to employee training might not be suitable for RG topics, and that position-based training might be necessary.
A considerable body of literature has examined elements of responsible gambling (RG) programs in ... more A considerable body of literature has examined elements of responsible gambling (RG) programs in land-based gambling venues. The present pre-registered study examines GameSense RG program awareness and engagement trends and relationships with gambling beliefs and behaviors, at MGM's U.S.-based casino properties using three samples of MGM's loyalty program members. We used a repeated cross-sectional approach including observational data collected from one sample (N = 3748) shortly before the rollout of GameSense in 2017-2018, and from two samples collected 1 year (N = 4795) and 2 years (N = 3927) after the program's implementation. We found that awareness of the GameSense program increased between pre-and 1-year post-implementation, yet did not increase further at 2-years post-implementation. Bivariate analyses showed that respondents who were aware of more GameSense components had a better understanding of gambling concepts and used more RG strategies, whereas respondents who engaged with GameSense used more RG strategies than those who did not, but did not display a better understanding of gambling concepts. The relationship between GameSense awareness and self-reported use of RG strategies remained significant in multivariate analyses with covariates. Moderation analyses indicated that a positive effect of overall GameSense engagement on gambling literacy was only found for respondents who had attended a regional property, as compared to respondents who attended Las Vegas or metropolitan properties. All effect sizes were weak, which suggests that practical impacts of the program currently are limited. Our findings have implications for research on land-based RG programs and we provide recommendations for enhancing such programs.
This study investigates the professional experiences of executives in gambling and hospitality or... more This study investigates the professional experiences of executives in gambling and hospitality organizations from jurisdictions around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative research uses semistructured interviews centering around three phases of crisis management:preparedness, in terms of crisis/disaster plans before COVID-19; response, addressing topics such as current COVID-19 crisis management, employment conditions, and marketing strategies; andfuture, concerning future plans for investments and expected changes in customers' behaviors. Leaders' predictions of customers' behaviors, especially with regard to the use of online platforms, can help set the foundation for future technology-based service interactions. Moreover, this analysis investigates how the COVID-19 crisis can represent an opportunity for innovation and diversification, especially in terms of new technologies and corporate social responsibility. Future research opportunities in crisis management in hospitality are discussed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated countless research questions for academics in every conceivab... more The COVID-19 pandemic has generated countless research questions for academics in every conceivable field. Chief among those are the biomedical questions, particularly those related to diagnosis, prevention and treatment (National Institutes of Health, 2020), as this public health crisis relentlessly spreads across the globe. Meanwhile, virtually every other research field finds itself exploring the intersections of those biomedical questions with more specific queries on a range of everyday impacts. Of course, all pieces written during these times must begin with the disclaimer, "as of this writing," but as of this writing, Sweden's approach to COVID-19 has captured the imaginations of critical thinkers worldwide. Sweden has resisted the tendency of governments to shut down society, instead electing for a more sustainable approach where, for example, borders, schools, and many businesses remain open (Paterlini, 2020). While this is still far from a fully open society, the jury is still out on whether this "more open" strategy is effective (see, e.g., Dias, 2020). Our question here is simple: what can the rest of the gaming world learn from what we might call "The Sweden Experiment"? This is a highly important consideration, as it could be that many casinos are entering into a world that Sweden has recently inhabited (as they reopen in the midst of a pandemic). As Anders Tegnell, Sweden's Chief Epidemiologist, recently pointed out, "(But) if you look at the exit strategies that now many countries have opted for, they look very much like Sweden's (strategy and restrictions)," (Ellyatt, 2020).
By accessing, reading, storing, distributing, and archiving this research report, you hereby agre... more By accessing, reading, storing, distributing, and archiving this research report, you hereby agree, fully and without dispute, to all terms and conditions contained in this 'Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions of Use'.
The Journal of Gambling Business and Economics, Dec 3, 2021
The number of countries and cities implementing smoking bans has increased significantly over the... more The number of countries and cities implementing smoking bans has increased significantly over the last couple decades with smoking bans becoming more inclusive with less exemptions being given. Casinos though still have an exemption in most areas since there is uncertainty of the effect to gaming volume but there is a new call to action due to COVID-19. This study evaluates the long-term effects of a smoking ban in Kangwon Land Casino in South Korea. A time series ARIMA model for April 2003 to May 2013 was conducted to determine if the new smoking ban in public gaming areas significantly affected table games drop or slot coin-in, which are the two most common indicators of gaming volume for casinos. Results show that the smoking ban did not significantly impact table games drop or slot coin-in. The results of this study indicate that in the long-term a smoking ban in public areas does not significantly decrease gaming volume. These results add to the minimal studies on the long-term effects of a smoking ban while also being the first study to evaluate an Asian casino.
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