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.
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 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.
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-...
This study extends our research on the GameSense responsible gambling program at MGM's United... more This study extends our research on the GameSense responsible gambling program at MGM's United States-based gaming properties. In the present study, we will: 1) examine population-based trends in responsible gambling program effectiveness over time across 24 land-based casinos and 2) investigate how different property types (i.e., regional casinos vs. metropolitan casinos vs. Las Vegas casinos) might have varying responsible gambling program effectiveness among customers. We will analyze three repeated cross-sectional survey datasets collected prior to (i.e., Year 1 data) and following (i.e., Year 2 and 3 data) the implementation of the GameSense program at MGM properties in the U.S. Specifically, we will examine how levels of awareness of and engagement with the GameSense responsible gambling program might have changed over the three-year period, whether GameSense awareness and engagement are associated with gambling beliefs and behaviors in Year 3, and if there are any differen...
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.
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 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.
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-...
This study extends our research on the GameSense responsible gambling program at MGM's United... more This study extends our research on the GameSense responsible gambling program at MGM's United States-based gaming properties. In the present study, we will: 1) examine population-based trends in responsible gambling program effectiveness over time across 24 land-based casinos and 2) investigate how different property types (i.e., regional casinos vs. metropolitan casinos vs. Las Vegas casinos) might have varying responsible gambling program effectiveness among customers. We will analyze three repeated cross-sectional survey datasets collected prior to (i.e., Year 1 data) and following (i.e., Year 2 and 3 data) the implementation of the GameSense program at MGM properties in the U.S. Specifically, we will examine how levels of awareness of and engagement with the GameSense responsible gambling program might have changed over the three-year period, whether GameSense awareness and engagement are associated with gambling beliefs and behaviors in Year 3, and if there are any differen...
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