Blue Gum Gaming Machine: An Evaluation of Responsible Gambling Features

Abstract

Structural characteristics of gaming machines contribute to persistence in play and excessive losses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of five proposed responsible gaming features: responsible gaming messages; a bank meter quarantining winnings until termination of play; alarm clock facilitating setting time-reminders; demo mode allowing play without money; and a charity donation feature where residual amounts can be donated rather than played to zero credits. A series of ten modified gaming machines were located in five Australian gambling venues. The sample comprised 300 patrons attending the venue and who played the gaming machines. Participants completed a structured interview eliciting gambling and socio-demographic data and information on their perceptions and experience of play on the index machines. Results showed that one-quarter of participants considered that these features would contribute to preventing recreational gamblers from developing problems. Just under half of the participants rated these effects to be at least moderate or significant. The promising results suggest that further refinements to several of these features could represent a modest but effective approach to minimising excessive gambling on gaming machines.

Responsible gambling: a synthesis of the empirical evidence

“…Shortterm gambling behavioral intent was significantly decreased when graphic warnings were paired with family disruption content, and when text-only warnings contained financial disruption content. Blaszczynski et al (2014) evaluated the effectiveness of five RG features for the Blue Gum gaming machine: responsible gaming messages, bank meters, alarm clocks, demo mode for playing without money, and a charity donation feature. The investigators collected data using structured interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation.…”

Identifying risk and mitigating gambling-related harm in online poker

“…In the absence of a robust definition of responsible gambling strategy, Blaszczynski et al (2011) contend that three approaches must underpin any strategy: (i) educating the customers and potential customers about risks involved, (ii) encouraging gambling within limits that mitigate harm, and (iii) facilitating informed choice regarding gambling. Being more prescriptive, arguably the primary aim of responsible gambling is to ensure players (including online poker players) gamble within monetary and time limits that are appropriate to their individual contexts (Blaszczynski, Gainsbury & Karlov, 2014).…”

“…In short, the following responsible gambling features were deemed relevant for consideration to online poker gambling: informed player choice (Blaszczynski et al, 2005;, voluntary self--exclusion (Griffiths et al, 2009), employee training (Giroux et al, 2009), pre--commitment (limit--setting) Blaszczynski et al, 2014), in--game feedback (messaging) , player intervention and personalised feedback Cloutier et al, 2006;Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010), and age restriction and verification . Blaszczynski et al (2005) argued that without informed player choice (IPC), responsible gambling is not feasible and that determining what information must be presented to individuals to make informed gambling choices must be based upon scientific research rather than common sense evaluations.…”

“…It is interesting to note that of all the responsible gambling features that have been investigated, the most consistently favoured and valued informational feature to gamblers was the accounting facility (i.e., spending history), outlining the various monetary outcomes and patterns of one's gambling behaviour Griffiths, Wood & Parke, 2009;Nisbet et al, 2005;. Not only does the provision of knowledge regarding gambling wins and losses not diminish the enjoyment of the game (Blaszczynski et al, 2014), but players value such features that enable them to be personally responsible in their gambling behaviour Griffiths et al, 2009;. However, it is also clear from the studies reviewed in this section, that none of them specifically relate to online poker.…”

“…In response, there have been significant attempts to develop interruptions to dissociative states when gambling via the use of pop--up messaging (Auer & Griffiths, 2015a;Auer, Malischnig & Griffiths, 2014;Blaszczynski et al, 2014;Cloutier et al, 2006;Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010;Wohl et al, 2014).…”