Cultures and spaces of convenience gambling

Abstract

Background: In many countries, the bulk of gambling takes place in convenience spaces in relatively confined, local markets. Nevertheless, research on gambling locations has so far concentrated on destination gambling in casinos. Aim: This article studies convenience gambling and distinguishes special (e.g., gambling arcades) from everyday convenience gambling spaces (e.g., electronic gambling machines in supermarkets). Rather than geographically or functionally analysing the harm potential of convenience gambling, we approach the issue through cultural theory. Method: We conducted reception analytical group interviews with Finnish and French gamblers. This method is based on focus-group discussions stimulated by six short film clips. Our data consisted of 14 Finnish and 14 French groups, altogether 110 participants. The interviews were analysed thematically on the basis of the types of discourses the participants evoked. Results: The Finnish respondents discussed how their gambling culture was embedded in their everyday lives. They saw it as a harmless pastime if the sums used were small and otherwise unbudgeted. The French informants instead strongly connected gambling with the casino and were suspicious of the easy, cheap availability of convenience gambling. They also differentiated between exceptional and mundane spaces of convenience gambling, which the interviewed Finnish gamblers did not. Conclusions: Social or cultural availability is not only a matter of access; it also influences gamblers after they have entered the gambling venue. Structural characteristics interact with the gambler and the setting, but they are also mediated by the cultural context.

How Luhmann’s systems theory can inform gambling studies

“…Contemporary sociological studies have made some interesting advances in recent gambling research, including ethnographic approaches, policy analyses, critical gambling studies, and anthropological approaches (e.g., Bedford, Casey, & Flynn, 2018;Binde, 2005;Casey, 2008;Egerer & Marionneau, 2019;Egerer et al, 2018a;Falk & Mäenpää, 1999;Kingma, 2015;Oldman, 1974;Reichertz et al, 2010;Reith & Dobbie, 2011;Schüll, 2012). Classical sociological theorists have also taken up the example of gambling particularly from the point of view of irrationality (Huizinga, 1938;Smith, 1863Smith, [1776) or functionalism (Caillois, 1958;Devereux, 1980Devereux, [1949).…”

Gambling harms caused by electronic gambling machines should be prevented with state control

“…The arguments used to justify the citizens’ initiative to remove EGMs from convenience locations, mentioned also by Lidl Finland, concerned the addictive nature of the EGMs, the constant exposure of citizens to the EGMs, the amount of gambling proceeds produced by problem gamblers, and lacking age limit control. Jurisdiction in which gambling products are available in everyday locations are characterised by a normalisation and even a banalisation of gambling (e.g., Egerer & Marionneau, 2019 ; Nyemcsok et al, 2021 ). Janne Nikkinen criticised the Finnish EGM placement as early as 2008 by pointing out that EGMs increase impulsive behaviour by customers passing by, as well as the urge to gamble among problem gamblers.…”

Cross-Cultural Studies Into Gambling Consumption Behavior: Eyeing Eye-Tracking Measures

“…While data aggregated from gambling operators have shown cross-cultural differences in the behavior of their customers (CasinoBeats, 2020 ), in recent years research into gambling consumption has been strengthened and enriched by studies uncovering the roles of culture in shaping gambling relevant phenomena (Oei et al, 2019 ). These studies were commonly based on data collected through survey questionnaires (e.g., Rinker et al, 2016 ; Calado et al, 2020 ) or interviews (e.g., Radermacher et al, 2016 ; Egerer and Marionneau, 2019 ). In the present opinion paper, it is argued that eye-tracking measurements should also be adopted in cross-cultural gambling research, particularly given the systematic differences in visual attentional patterns that potentially exist among gambling product consumers from different cultures.…”