Awareness of responsible gambling among patrons of casinos and racinos in Canada

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Author(s): Christensen, Darren R. ; Nicoll, Fiona ; Williams, Robert J. ; Shaw, Carrie A. ; el-Guebaly, Nady ; Hodgins, David C. ; McGrath, Daniel C. ; Smith, Garry J. ; Belanger, Yale D. ; Stevens, Rhys M. G.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: September 08, 2021

The Responsible Gambling (RG) Check patron surveys provide the largest dataset on awareness of RG among patrons of casinos and racinos in Canada. The researchers analyzed data collected from 2011–2019, which included 18,580 patrons from 75 venues. However, data from 2011 were not used because there were fewer respondents in 2011 than in later years. The results suggested increases in awareness of RG information and behaviour over time, especially among patrons who gambled regularly. However, 13.4% of patrons said they had not seen any RG information at the venue. Even though many patrons were aware of some aspect of RG, considerably fewer patrons reported RG behaviour (i.e., asking staff about an RG information centre and visiting it).

Citation: Christensen, D. R., Nicoll, F., Williams, R. J., Shaw, C. A., el‑Guebaly, N., Hodgins, D. C., … Stevens, R. M. G. (2021). Responsible gambling in Canada: An analysis of the RG Check patron surveys. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10052-z

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10052-z

Keywords: casinos ; harm minimization ; patron survey ; play management tools ; racinos ; responsible gambling

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Prevention ; Venue/Casino

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Environment

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Patrons of casinos and racinos in Canada who were surveyed from 2011-2019 (N = 18,580 respondents from 75 venues, however data from 2011 were excluded because there were fewer participants in 2011)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited over two days at each venue for 3 hours per day (in the evening from 6-9 pm for the first day and in the afternoon from 1-4 pm for the second day). A table was set up at the entrance near the gambling floor. Public announcements and invitations by RG Check staff were also used to encourage participation. Between 100-300 surveys were completed per venue.

Related Resources:

"RG Check" patron surveys

Study Funding:

This study is part of a national study jointly funded by the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, GREO, and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute.