On the Feasibility of In-Venue Observations of Electronic Gaming Machine Gamblers and Game Characteristics

Abstract

Detailed observational studies of undisturbed gambler behaviour in venues are rare, especially when the focus is on continuous gambling such as electronic gaming machines (EGMs). EGMs are the main source of harmful gambling in New Zealand and all EGMs in New Zealand now include a mandatory pop-up message feature. The present study reports on 48 hours of in situ observations of EGM gamblers in casino and non-casino (pub) venues in New Zealand. We sought to establish whether relatively detailed observations of EGM features and gambler behaviour in venues were possible. The EGM feature that we focused on were pop-up messages, given their harm-minimization potential and the relative ease with which they can be observed. However, other EGM features were also documented, along with descriptive accounts of associated gambler behaviour. The results establish that relatively detailed (quantitative or qualitative) observational data can be collected in venues by using smart phones. The data showed that pop-up messages were generally attended to, but had little observable effect on gambler behaviour in venues. Direct in situ observation of gamblers can provide ecologically valid information to complement more common experimental and survey-based approaches. Suggestions are made for developing the procedure.Keywords: Gambling, electronic gaming machines, game characteristic, observation RésuméLes études d'observation détaillée in situ sur le comportement non perturbé de joueurs sont rares, surtout si on met l'accent sur le jeu continu, comme avec les appareils de jeux électroniques. En Nouvelle-Zélande, ces appareils sont la principale

Cognitive neuroscience can support public health approaches to minimise the harm of ‘losses disguised as wins’ in multiline slot machines

“…Behavioural experiments suggest that players prefer multiline slot machines that allow LDWs compared to single-line variants, or games that do not allow for LDWs (Delfabbro et al, 2005;Dixon et al, 2014a;Graydon et al, 2018). Interviews with regular slot machine players (Livingstone et al, 2008), analysis of actual play data (MacLaren, 2015;Templeton et al, 2015), and observation of play (Landon et al, 2017), suggest that players adjust their playstyles such that the probability of LDWs occurring is maximised. In so doing, they bet on multiple lines, usually preferring to place the minimum bet on the maximum number of lines, despite the fact that this strategy offers no change in financial return to player (Harrigan et al, 2011).…”