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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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
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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 |
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2SA | Sophisticated surroundings |
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3SA | There are people my own age |
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4SA | A place I can be with my friends |
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5SA | A lively atmosphere—lots of people and action | ||||||||||
6SA | There are types of gambling available that are easy to play |
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7AR | A quiet venue without too many people | ||||||||||
8SA | Being able to meet new people |
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9SA | I can have a cheap day or night out |
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10SA | I am treated with respect by management and staff |
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11AR | ATMs are easily accessible |
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12AR | I can gamble anonymously |
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13AR | I can use a loyalty card |
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14AR | Being able to use the same gaming machine, or play the same type of game, each time I visit |
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15SA | People are well dressed |
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16SA | There are cues to help me control my gambling, such as easy to see clocks, information brochures, etc |
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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 |
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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