Completed research
Current research
Propensity research
Adelaide Research and Innovation Pty Ltd (University of
Adelaide) has commenced research to determine the relationship between
actual gambling spend on a gaming machine(s) and the potential maximum
spend over time; that is, whether there is a systematic relationship
between gaming machine game characteristics and expenditure.
The methodology is based on the concept of consumption
potential, which refers to a theoretical maximum amount of money that
different games on different machines could consume in specific periods
of time (e.g., during an hour or day) assuming an average return and
that people are betting the maximum amount per spin. The assumption
underlying this method is that people may tend to spend more money on
machines where there is a greater potential for expenditure.
Accordingly, if it were possible to limit the consumption potential of a
machine (e.g. by reducing the maximum bet per line or increasing the
return to player), it could theoretically be possible to limit actual
gambling expenditure and maybe reduce problem gambling.
Youth gambling research—prevalence cohort
The 2005 South Australian prevalence study included a
cohort of young people. Permission was sought to recontact those young
people (aged 16-19 years). The Authority has commissioned the Population
Research and Outcome Studies unit of the Department of Health, which
conducted the prevalence study, to undertake a longitudinal study of
this cohort. The study will ask questions about gambling behaviour.
After the first implementation of the survey instrument, it will be
repeated twice at 12 month intervals.
Comparative study—clinical assessment vs CPGI
The University of Sydney is undertaking research that will involve the conduct of a clinical assessment with people who are identified as moderate and high risk problem gamblers following re-administration of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index to those people in the frequent gambler cohort from the 2005 prevalence study who agreed to be recontacted for further research.
Gambling and Crime—OCSAR Study
In 2003 the Office of Crime Statistics and Research (OCSAR)
in the Attorney-General’s Department undertook a study, for the
Authority, to determine the relationship between gambling and crime. A
report of that study is available
here.
OCSAR is repeating the primary component of that study
during 2007—an analysis of a sample of police apprehension reports,
Magistrates Court files, and sentencing remarks from the District and
Supreme Courts. The original study included the Adelaide Magistrates
Court while this study will be expanded to include the Christies Beach
and Elizabeth Magistrates Courts, and the Drugs and Mental Health
Diversionary Courts.
Social impacts Study
The SA centre for economic studies is undertaking a two stage study
that firstly, describes the definitions and methodologies used by the
Productivity Commission and regulatory bodies in Australia and New
Zealand in relation to measuring the social impacts of gambling, and
secondly, critiques those methodologies and definitions.
Grants 2007—Southern Cross University
The Centre for Gambling Education and Research at
Southern Cross University has been provided with a grant (following the
Authority’s 2007 call for grants) to undertake a study about gaming
venue staff responses to patrons with gambling problems, including
facilitators and barriers, and gaming venue interaction with help
services to assist such patrons.
Evaluative research—mandatory warning messages
Under code of practice changes to be implemented in
2008, commercial gambling operators in South Australia will be required
to adopt a suite of mandatory warning message (such as “Gamble
responsibly, don’t let the game play you”) for use in gambling areas and
in advertising.
The Authority published a request for proposals
on Tuesday 11 December 2007 seeking a research provider to undertake a
study of the impact of the mandatory warning messages. A preferred
contractor is in the process of being contracted.
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