scholarly journals Instrument Development for the FocaL Adult Gambling Screen (FLAGS-EGM): A Measurement of Risk and Problem Gambling Associated with Electronic Gambling Machines

2015 ◽  
pp. 174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Schellinck ◽  
Tracy Schrans ◽  
Heather Schellinck ◽  
Michael Bliemel

Previous research, based on a survey of 374 electronic machine gamblers living in Ontario, Canada, led to the selection of statements and the creation of ten constructs for the development of a new instrument, the FocaL Adult Gambling Screen for Electronic Gambling Machines (FLAGS-EGM). In this study, we used the Partial Least Squares Path Analysis form of Structural Equation Modelling to produce a hierarchical set of the ten constructs with proven predictive power for problem gambling. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis identified cut off values for all of the constructs that predicted the target values with the desired degree of accuracy. Active gamblers were placed in five categories: No Detectable Risk, Early Risk, Intermediate Risk, Advanced Risk and Problem Gamblers. As described here, the FLAGS-EGM instrument has the potential to be applied in many situations in which identification of at-risk EGM gamblers is needed.

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372098008
Author(s):  
Robert J. Williams ◽  
Carrie A. Leonard ◽  
Yale D. Belanger ◽  
Darren R. Christensen ◽  
Nady el-Guebaly ◽  
...  

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an updated profile of gambling and problem gambling in Canada and to examine how the rates and pattern of participation compare to 2002. Method: An assessment of gambling and problem gambling was included in the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey and administered to 24,982 individuals aged 15 and older. The present analyses selected for adults (18+). Results: A total of 66.2% of people reported engaging in some type of gambling in 2018, primarily lottery and/or raffle tickets, the only type in which the majority of Canadians participate. There are some significant interprovincial differences, with perhaps the most important one being the higher rate of electronic gambling machine (EGM) participation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The overall pattern of gambling in 2018 is very similar to 2002, although participation is generally much lower in 2018, particularly for EGMs and bingo. Only 0.6% of the population were identified as problem gamblers in 2018, with an additional 2.7% being at-risk gamblers. There is no significant interprovincial variation in problem gambling rates. The interprovincial pattern of problem gambling in 2018 is also very similar to what was found in 2002 with the main difference being a 45% decrease in the overall prevalence of problem gambling. Conclusions: Gambling and problem gambling have both decreased in Canada from 2002 to 2018 although the provincial patterns are quite similar between the 2 time periods. Several mechanisms have likely collectively contributed to these declines. Decreases have also been reported in several other Western countries in recent years and have occurred despite the expansion of legal gambling opportunities, suggesting a degree of inoculation or adaptation in the population.


Author(s):  
Maria Anna Donati ◽  
Silvia Cabrini ◽  
Daniela Capitanucci ◽  
Caterina Primi ◽  
Roberta Smaniotto ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic, with the consequent lockdown of about 3 months, can be viewed as an experimental model to observe the impact of the depletion of environmental factors that stimulate gambling, particularly electronic gambling machines (EGMs) that were set to zero. The effects of some structural characteristics of gambling activities that increase gambling behavior were studied among disordered gamblers in treatment in this unique scenario. In fact, studies investigating the effects of the lockdown on problem gamblers (PGs) under treatment are missing. The aims of this study were to analyze patients’ gambling behavior and craving during the lockdown and to conduct a comparison between gambling disorder (GD) symptoms at the beginning of the treatment and during lockdown. The study was conducted in Italy, the European country with the largest gambling market and the first to be affected by the virus. Data were collected through a semi-structured telephone interview conducted by healthcare professionals. Participants were 135 PGs under treatment (109 males, mean age = 50.07). Results showed that most PGs achieved a significant improvement in their quality of life, with less gambling behavior, GD symptoms, and lower craving. No shift toward online gambling and very limited shift towards other potential addictive and excessive behaviors occurred. The longer the treatment, the more monitoring is present and the better the results in terms of symptoms reduction. Individual and environmental characteristics during the lockdown favored the reduction in symptoms. Consideration for prevention and treatment are discussed.


2006 ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daníel Thor Ólason ◽  
Guđmundur A. Skarphedinsson ◽  
Johanna Ella Jonsdottir ◽  
Mikael Mikaelsson ◽  
Sigurdur J. Gretarsson

This paper reports the main findings from a prevalence study of adolescent gambling and problem gambling among Icelandic adolescents. The final sample consisted of 3,511 pupils aged 13 to 15 in 25 primary schools in Reykjavík. The results indicated that 93% of adolescents had gambled some time in their life and 70% at least once in the preceding year. Problem gambling prevalence rates were evaluated with two gambling screens, American Psychological Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition, Multiple-Response-Junior (DSM-IV-MR-J) and the South Oaks Gambling Screen Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA). The DSM-IV-MR-J identified 1.9% as problem gamblers, while SOGS-RA identified 2.8% as problem gamblers. The results also showed that problem gamblers reported more difficulties in school and used alcohol and other drugs more frequently than adolescents who gambled socially or not at all. Finally, evaluation of electronic gambling machine (EGM) accessibility revealed that gambling on low-stakes EGMs in public places was more common than on EGMs in arcades or bars and restaurants. The potential implications of these findings are discussed.


2015 ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Schellinck ◽  
Tracy Schrans ◽  
Heather Schellinck ◽  
Michael Bliemel

This is the first of two papers describing the development of the FocaL Adult Gambling Screen for Electronic Gambling Machine players (FLAGS-EGM). FLAGS-EGM is a measurement approach for identifying gambling risk, a tool that incorporates separate reflective and formative constructs into a single instrument. A set of statements was developed that captured ten constructs associated with gambling risk or which were considered components of problem gambling. Following completion of focus groups with regular slot players, a survey with the reduced set of statements was then administered to a sample of 374 casino slot players in Ontario, Canada. Nine of the proposed constructs passed tests for reliability and validity (Risky Cognitions Beliefs, Risky Cognitions Motives, Preoccupation Desire, Risky Practices Earlier, Risky Practices Later, Impaired Control Continue a Session, Impaired Control Begin a Session, Negative Consequences, and Persistence). A tenth construct (Preoccupation Obsession) requires further development through the addition of improved statements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 302-302
Author(s):  
Hirohisa Okabe

302 Background: Biliary drainage is sometimes necessary for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) because of tumor invasion to the biliary tract. The current study aims to explore the clinical impact of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on postoperative complication in PD. Methods: One hundred sixty-six patients who underwent PD from 2012–2017 were enrolled in this study. Clinical impact of PBD on clinical course was examined. Results: There were 66 patients (40%) undergoing PBD. Patients with PBD showed significantly higher infection rate of bile juice collected at surgery (p < 0.0001) and contamination rate of ascites collected from intraperitoneal drain on postoperative day 3 (POD3) (p < 0.0001) than patients without PBD. Severe postoperative complication (Clavien Dindo ≥ IIIB)was associated with contaminated ascites on POD3 (p = 0.031), but not with PBD. Among patients with PBD, fifty-two patients (79%) received preoperative ERBD. Infection of bile juice at surgery was not associated with the procedure of PBD (ERBD, ENBD or PTCD), but correlated with the duration of drainage. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that patients with PBD for more than 28 days occurs contamination of bile juice at surgery. Among patients with both the contaminated bile juice at operation and the contaminated ascites on POD3 (n = 24), both were consistent in 19 patients (79%). Although Enterococcus faecalis was the most species seen in their bile juice, patients with the contamination of other species of Enterobacter (36%) and Streptococcus (2%) showed higher severe postoperative complication rate than others (p = 0.049). Conclusions: PBD was not directly associated with severe postoperative complication, but the duration of drainage for > 28 days was correlated with contamination of the bile juice. Contaminated ascites on POD3 caused by infectious bile juice at surgery was an only factor associated with severe postoperative complications and therefore needs careful management of the drain removal and selection of antibiotics after surgery.


2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110340
Author(s):  
Johanna Järvinen-Tassopoulos ◽  
Virve Marionneau ◽  
Janne Nikkinen

Unlike in other Nordic countries, most of the electronic gambling machines (EGMs) are placed outside the Casino Helsinki and the gambling arcades in Finland. The placement of EGMs in non-casino locations, such as supermarkets, kiosks, and petrol stations, is matter of serious concern. We argue that availability and accessibility of EGMs has led to normalisation and banalisation of gambling in Finland. Exposure to EGMs also put at risk vulnerable populations and problem gamblers, who already suffer from the negative consequences of gambling harms. Gambling companies’ self-regulation initiatives and corporate social responsibility programmes are not enough to prevent and limit EGM related gambling harms. We suggest that Finland should follow Norway’s example and limit the availability of EGMs and transfer them from non-casino locations to gambling arcades. Finnish EGM policy should be a question of public policy guided by public health concerns.


Author(s):  
Nigel Turner ◽  
Roger Horbay

Slot machines and other electronic gambling machines (EGMs) are gambling devices that offer a variety of games. They are inexpensive to run, which makes it possible for casinos to offer low-stakes betting to a large number of customers. As a result, they have become the most profitable form of gambling. EGMs are found at casinos, on cruise boats, at racetracks, at local bars, and even at corner stores. Slot machines and other EGMs seem to attract a lot of myths. This is partly because of a lack of accurate information on how the machines work and partly due to the design of the machines. In this paper, we will discuss how slot machines really work. Our goal is to demystify the machines in order to demystify the games. We will also discuss some of the myths about slot machines. This paper is intended to serve as a resource for counsellors and prevention workers in the field of problem gambling. It is also intended for people in the general public who wish to understand slot machines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis

Abstract. Interoception is defined as an iterative process that refers to receiving, accessing, appraising, and responding to body sensations. Recently, following an extensive process of development, Mehling and colleagues (2012) proposed a new instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which captures these different aspects of interoception with eight subscales. The aim of this study was to reexamine the dimensionality of the MAIA by applying maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (ML-CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM). ML-CFA, ESEM, and BSEM were examined in a sample of 320 German adults. ML-CFA showed a poor fit to the data. ESEM yielded a better fit and contained numerous significant cross-loadings, of which one was substantial (≥ .30). The BSEM model with approximate zero informative priors yielded an excellent fit and confirmed the substantial cross-loading found in ESEM. The study demonstrates that ESEM and BSEM are flexible techniques that can be used to improve our understanding of multidimensional constructs. In addition, BSEM can be seen as less exploratory than ESEM and it might also be used to overcome potential limitations of ESEM with regard to more complex models relative to the sample size.


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