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Gambling Accessibility: A Scale to Measure Gambler Preferences

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Abstract

Geographic closeness of gambling venues is not the only aspect of accessibility likely to affect gambling frequency. Perceived accessibility of gambling venues may include other features such as convenience (e.g., opening hours) or “atmosphere”. The aim of the current study was to develop a multidimensional measure of gamblers’ perceptions of accessibility, and present evidence for its reliability and validity. We surveyed 303 gamblers with 43 items developed to measure different dimensions of accessibility. Factor analysis of the items produced a two factor solution. The first, Social Accessibility related to the level at which gambling venues were enjoyed because they were social places, provided varying entertainment options and had a pleasant atmosphere. The second factor, Accessible Retreat related to the degree to which venues were enjoyed because they were geographically and temporally available and provided a familiar and anonymous retreat with few interruptions or distractions. Both factors, developed as reliable subscales of the new Gambling Access Scale, demonstrated construct validity through their correlations with other gambling-related measures. Social Accessibility was moderately related to gambling frequency and amount spent, but not to problem gambling, while, as hypothesised, Accessible Retreat was associated with stronger urges to gamble and gambling problems.

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Acknowledgement

Our thanks are due to the Victorian Government, Office of Gaming and Racing, Department of Justice (Australia), who funded this study as part of a wider research project. We would also like to thank the research assistants who worked on the project: James Williams and Angelique Brown

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Mail H31, PO Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia

    Susan M. Moore, Anna C. Thomas, Michael Kyrios, Glen Bates & Denise Meredyth

Authors
  1. Susan M. Moore
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  2. Anna C. Thomas
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  3. Michael Kyrios
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  4. Glen Bates
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  5. Denise Meredyth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan M. Moore.

Appendix 1: Gambling Access Scale

Appendix 1: Gambling Access Scale

Below are some features that attract people to gambling venues or contribute to people returning to the venues. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree that these features are important to you in your attraction to a gambling venue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Disagree very much

Disagree moderately

Disagree a little

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree a little

Agree moderately

Agree very much

The following features of a gambling venue are important to me

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1SA

The safety and security of the venue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2SA

Sophisticated surroundings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3SA

There are people my own age

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4SA

A place I can be with my friends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5SA

A lively atmosphere—lots of people and action

       

6SA

There are types of gambling available that are easy to play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7AR

A quiet venue without too many people

       

8SA

Being able to meet new people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9SA

I can have a cheap day or night out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10SA

I am treated with respect by management and staff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11AR

ATMs are easily accessible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12AR

I can gamble anonymously

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13AR

I can use a loyalty card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14AR

Being able to use the same gaming machine, or play the same type of game, each time I visit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15SA

People are well dressed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16SA

There are cues to help me control my gambling, such as easy to see clocks, information brochures, etc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17AR

Venues where I won’t be interrupted when I’m concentrating on gambling

       

18SA

The availability of food and drink

       

19SA

Somewhere I can get to by public transport

       

20AR

The venue is on the way home from work/ study/ other major commitments

       

21SA

There are other (non-gambling) activities available (e.g. cinemas, restaurants, live music)

       

22AR

It offers an escape from daily life

       

23AR

The venue is open late at night or early in the morning

       

24SA

I can gamble for a long time without losing a lot

       

25AR

A lack of other entertainment options

       

26AR

There are minimal distractions (eg. clocks, lighting)

       

27AR

It is close to work

       
  1. Note: SA good entertainment subscale, AR accessible retreat subscale. Scoring Add ratings for subscale items

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Moore, S.M., Thomas, A.C., Kyrios, M. et al. Gambling Accessibility: A Scale to Measure Gambler Preferences. J Gambl Stud 27, 129–143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9203-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9203-3

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