An examination of the validity and reliability of the Positive Play Scale: findings from a Canadian national study

ABSTRACT

The Positive Play Scale (PPS) is a self-report measure that assesses responsible gambling beliefs and behaviours amongst players. The PPS was shown to be a reliable and valid measure that consisted of four subscales: Personal Responsibility, Gambling Literacy, Honesty and Control, and Pre-commitment. However, the PPS development research had limitations, including the use of an exploratory statistical approach, treating the non-normally distributed PPS item-level data as continuous, and the use of samples that consisted mainly of older players living in British Columbia, Canada. Herein, we replicated and extended the four-factor structure of the PPS using exploratory structural equation modelling with PPS item-data modelled as ordered categorical in a large and demographically diverse sample of players from across Canada (N = 5751). Once again, the four-factor structure of the PPS provided an excellent fit to the data. PPS factors were all internally consistent. Results also replicated and extended findings from prior research. Specifically, all PPS subscales were negatively correlated with measures of disordered gambling beliefs and behaviours, risk factors (e.g. impulsivity) and gambling motives (e.g. financial). Findings indicate that the PPS is a reliable and valid tool that assesses responsible gambling beliefs and behaviours, which can be used to inform responsible gambling initiatives.

KEYWORDS:

• Responsible gambling
• corporate social responsibility
• disordered gambling
• positive play
• structural equation modelling

Compliance with ethical standards

Ethical review and approval was not required for this study as per the institutional and national requirements. All participants were responding to a survey that was part of a prior agreement with Research Now. Nevertheless, participants were fully informed about the nature of the study, provided their written consent to take part and were free to withdraw at any point. All data was anonymized and the study was carried out in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. As well, the secondary analysis of the data was reviewed and approved by Carleton University’s Research Ethics Board – B.

Conflict of interest

Funding sources

The research was led by GamRes Limited—a research consultancy service that implements and evaluates responsible gambling strategies—and funded by the Canadian Responsible Gambling Association (CRGA).

Competing interests

In the interest of transparency, all authors have directly or indirectly conducted previous consultancy work for CRGA. Importantly, however, in conducting the current study, the authors were given full consent to investigate, analyze, and report all findings that the authors perceived to be relevant for understanding the Positive Play Scale—CRGA did not have a role in determining the aims and outcomes of the current study. Therefore, we do not consider there to be a conflict of interest between the authors of this manuscript and the funders of the research.

Constraints on publishing

All authors reported no constraints on publishing the submitted manuscript.

Disclosure statement

Dr. Nassim Tabri has received consulting fees from the gambling industry in Canada, New Zealand, the US, and the UK via GamRes Limited—a research and consultancy service that designs, implements, and evaluates responsible gambling strategies. He has also received research funds from Gambling Exchange Ontario (GREO).

Over the last 20 years, Dr. Richard Wood has been funded to undertake responsible gambling projects for more than 50 gaming companies, regulators and government organizations world-wide. These projects have included; research funds to develop responsible gambling tools, funds to evaluate existing responsible gambling tools and consultancy fees to apply research evidence to assist the gambling industry to develop responsible gambling initiatives and/or to assess the possible risk of proposed gambling products for players who may be at an increased risk for developing a gambling problem.

Since 2015, Dr. KahlilPhilander has received research funds from the Washington State Gaming Commission, Manitoba Gambling Research Program, UNLV International Centre for Gaming Regulation, U.S.-Japan Business Council, Wynn Resorts, Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. He has received consulting payments from British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Responsible Gambling Council of Canada, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, West Virginia Lottery, Indiana Gaming Commission, Intralot, and iDevelopment and Economic Association. He has received reimbursement for travel from the Northeast Asia Economic Association Forum, National Council for Problem Gambling, International Association of Gaming Advisors, National Centre for Responsible Gambling, North American State and Provincial Lottery Association, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, Global Gaming Expo Asia, and Alberta Gambling Research Institute.

Dr. Michael J. A. Wohl has received research funding from federal granting agencies in Canada and Australia unconnected to his gambling research. In relation to his gambling research, he has received research funds from provincial granting agencies in Canada. He has also received direct and indirect research funds from the gambling industry in Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, and Sweden. Additionally, he has served as a consultant for the gambling industry in Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. A detailed list can be found on his curriculum vitae (http://carleton.ca/bettermentlabs/wp-content/uploads/CV.pdf).

Notes

1. Results remained virtually unchanged after including participants with missing data in the analyses using Full Information Maximum Likelihood.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nassim Tabri

Dr. Nassim Tabri is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. His research is focused on etiological and maintenance factors underlying addictive and other health-compromising behaviors.

Richard T. A. Wood

Dr. Richard T. A. Wood is the President and founder of Gamres Limited where he undertakes responsible gambling research and consultancy services.

Kahlil Philander

Kahlil Philander is an Assistant Professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management. He also holds an appointment as an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. His research interests are in the socio-economic impacts of gambling.

Michael J. A. Wohl

Dr. Michael J. A. Wohl (Professor of Psychology) examines factors that lead to excessive play (e.g., erroneous cognitions, craving) and means to increase responsible gambling (e.g., setting a limit on play). Recently, attention has been paid to the promotion of positive play and the influence loyalty program membership can have on gambling behavior. Ultimately, he is interested processes that promote positive behavioral change.