Southern Cross University epublications@scu School of Tourism and Hospitality Management 2013 The impact of partial liberalization of internet gambling: a comparison of internet and noninternet gamblers Sally M. Gainsbury Southern Cross University Nerilee Hing Southern Cross University Alex Russell Southern Cross University Alex Blaszczynski University of Sydney Robert Wood University of Lethbridge See next page for additional authors Publication details Gainsbure, SM, Hing, N, Russell, A, Blaszczynski, A, Wood, R & Lubman, D 2013, 'The impact of partial liberalization of internet gambling: a comparison of internet and non-internet gamblers', paper presented to the 15th International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking, Las Vegas, Nevada, 27-31 May. epublications@scu is an electronic repository administered by Southern Cross University Library. Its goal is to capture and preserve the intellectual output of Southern Cross University authors and researchers, and to increase visibility and impact through open access to researchers around the world. For further information please contact epubs@scu.edu.au.
Authors Sally M. Gainsbury, Nerilee Hing, Alex Russell, Alex Blaszczynski, Robert Wood, and Dan Lubman This presentation is available at epublications@scu: http://epubs.scu.edu.au/tourism_pubs/1961
Interactive Gambling in Australia Sally Gainsbury 15 th International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking May 30, 2013
What forms of Internet gambling are legal in Australia?
What forms of Internet gambling are illegal?
Interactive gambling in Australia ~ 30-35 Australian sites ~ 2,242 sites accept play from Australia ~ 194 payment methods accepted ~ AUD$1 billion spent on offshore sites Zero operators or sites prosecuted Online gambling participation increasing Prohibition is not effective
Why do we need to understand interactive gambling? Concerns & possible impacts: Land-based industry Increase gambling Vulnerable populations Increased gambling problems A new type of gambling?
Advantages of Internet gambling 1. Don t have to leave the house 2. Availability/convenience 3. No crowds 4. No unpleasant people 5. Greater privacy & anonymity 6. More physically comfortable 7. Higher payout rates Source: Gainsbury, Wood, Russell, Hing, & Blaszczynski, 2012
Disadvantages of Internet gambling 1. Too convenient 2. Easier to spend money 3. More addictive 4. Poorer social atmosphere 5. Concerns about money/deposits Source: Gainsbury, Wood, Russell, Hing, & Blaszczynski, 2012
Research: Interactive Gambling Study Commissioned by Gambling Research Australia to determine interactive gambling: Prevalence Motivations, characteristics and behaviours Game play & medium preferences Research team: Nerilee Hing, Sally Gainsbury, Alex Blaszczynski, Robert Wood, Alex Russell, Dan Lubman These findings are preliminary and not final
Interactive Gambling Study Nationally representative telephone survey 15,006 Australian adults (18+) November-December, 2011 Interactive gambler: anyone who has gambled using interactive methods in past 12 months May also use land-based forms Land-based gambler: anyone who has gambled in past 12 months only on non-interactive forms
Prevalence of gambling in 2011 Past-year prevalence of adult gambling: 64.26% 1998/99 prevalence 82% Past-year prevalence of interactive gambling: 8.06% 1998/99 prevalence 0.6% Source: Interactive Gambling Study, Productivity Commission 1999 Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
National participation in gambling activities 50 45 43 40 35 30 31 % 25 20 22 19 15 13 10 5 0 Lottery Scratch tickets Race betting EGMs Sports betting 9 9 Keno Casino games 6 3 2 Poker Bingo Betting on skill games Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Participation in gambling activities 1999 vs. 2011 70 60 60 % 50 40 30 20 10 43 31 46 2224 19 39 13 6 16 9 9 10 6 5 3 2 0 Lottery Scratch tickets Race betting EGMs Sports betting Keno Casino games Poker Bingo Betting on skill games 2011 1999 Source: Interactive Gambling Study; Productivity Commission, 1999 Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Annual gambling participation % 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 52 49 68 67 Lottery Scratch tickets 54 16 Race betting 64 31 EGMs Interactive Gamblers 7 4 Sports betting 19 20 13 8 Keno Casino games 29 Land-based Gamblers 11 Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final 4 2 43 28 Poker Bingo Betting on skill games
Average proportion of each gambling activity done online 90 80 70 60 58 72 76 79 71 64 85 50 % 40 30 25 30 33 20 10 0 Lottery Scratch tickets Race betting EGMs Sports betting Keno Casino games Poker Bingo Betting on skill games Note: For those who gambled on each form online Low N, interpret figures with caution Source: Interactive Gambling Study, Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Characteristics of Interactive Gamblers Compared to land-based gamblers, interactive gamblers are more likely to be: Male Younger Single or living with partner University educated Employed full-time or student Have broadband Internet access at home & work Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Interactive gamblers Majority gambled online since 2009 Computers preferred mode of interactive gambling 100 80 87 % 60 40 20 0 9 Computer Mobile Portable device 3 Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Interactive gamblers 52% prefer interactive gambling 48% prefer land-based gambling Some unique problems: 17% increase spending due to credit cards/electronic money 10% sleep disruption 4% disrupted eating Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Prevalence of adult problem gambling Problem gambler 1 Moderate risk 4 Low risk 8 No problem 52 Non-gambler 36 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 % Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Problem gambling among land-based and interactive gamblers Problem gambler 1 3 Moderate risk 6 14 Low risk 12 25 No problem 59 81 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 % Land-based gamblers Interactive gamblers Source: Interactive Gambling Study Note: Findings are preliminary and not final
Conclusions Participation in gambling is shifting in terms of what and how people gamble Internet gamblers are more involved in this activity But not a homogeneous group Unique problems related to Internet gambling Continuing research is needed Policies to specifically address harms
Acknowledgments Funding: Gambling Research Australia Collaborators: Nerilee Hing, Alex Russell, Alex Blaszczynski, Dan Lubman, Robert Wood The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the author/s. The information, views and references material in this presentation are provided solely on the basis that the audience will be responsible for making their own assessment of the information provided
Thank you Dr Sally Gainsbury Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University Email: sally.gainsbury@scu.edu.au Website: http://works.bepress.com/sally_gainsbury/ @DrSalGainsbury