Identifying low-risk gambling limits for eight specific gambling activities

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Author(s): Dowling, Nicki A. ; Youssef, George J. ; Greenwood, Christopher ; Merkouris, Stephanie ; Suomi, Aino ; Room, Robin

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: October 06, 2021

The researchers developed low-risk limits for eight gambling activities using data from two large population-based studies in Australia. The limits were based on five indices: (1) gambling frequency; (2) gambling spending per year; (3) spending as a proportion of gross personal income; (4) spending per session; and (5) duration per session. The researchers were able to identify low-risk limits across all five indices for electronic gaming machines (EGMs) only. The limits for EGMs were generally strongest at predicting harm. This was followed by the limits for casino table games and sports/other event betting. The limits for instant scratch tickets, lottery, and keno could also predict harm. However, the limits for bingo and horse/dog racing failed to predict harm.

Citation: Dowling, N. A., Youssef, G. J., Greenwood, C., Merkouris, S. S., Suomi, A., & Room, R. (2021). The identification of low‑risk gambling limits for specific gambling activities. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10036-z

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10036-z

Keywords: gambling ; harms ; limit setting ; low-risk gambling ; low-risk gambling guidelines ; responsible gambling

Topics: Gambling Related Harms ; Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Environment - Low-Risk Limits ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: 48.8% and 54.6% for the second and third SEIS surveys, not reported for the 2014 ACT survey

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Australia, Australian Capital Territory ; Australia, Tasmania

Study Population: Residents aged 18 and over living in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory (N=4303 for the second SEIS Tasmanian survey; N=5000 for the third SEIS Tasmanian survey; N=2294 for the 2014 ACT survey)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers analyzed data from the second and third Social and Economic Impact Study (SEIS) of Gambling in Tasmania and the 2014 Survey on Gambling, Health and Wellbeing in the ACT.

Study Funding:

Funding by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Grants for Gambling Research Program.