The Gambling Environment and Gambler Behaviour: Evidence from Richmond-Tweed, Australia

Abstract

As opportunities to gamble proliferated rapidly during the 1990s, accessibility to gambling facilities has been cited as a factor driving increased gambling consumption. However, research examining this relationship is limited. Most assessments have tended to be at a broad regional rather than a local level. Furthermore, explanations for why greater access encourages increased gambling activity have been inadequate. Using the framework of time-geography, this paper outlines new empirical evidence to assist in clarifying relationships between the accessibility to and consumption of gambling. Data on gambling behaviour were obtained from 1,018 persons in seven residential centres of the Richmond-Tweed region of NSW, Australia and compared to local provision of gambling facilities. In this study, availability of gambling opportunities—measured here by electronic gaming machines (EGMs) per capita—is often reflected in differences in gambling activity by the local population. It is concluded that accessibility to EGM facilities at a particularly local level is an important factor driving their use.

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on PhD research completed at the University of New England, Australia. Thanks go to Robert Baker, Jim Walmsley and Neil Argent, who supervised that research, and to Jan McMillen and the anonymous referees who provided helpful comments on an earlier version of the paper.

Notes

 1. At the 2001 ABS Census of Population and Housing, the average size of collection districts was 225 dwellings.

 2. The Index of Economic Resources (IER) incorporates a range of variables collected from the 2001 Census and is designed to provide an indication of the level of disposable income relative to other regions.

 3. All survey respondents were asked: ‘Have you ever played gaming machines whilst visiting a pub or club?’ Those who answered yes were asked: ‘When was the last time you played the machines in a pub or club?’

 4. Respondents who reported using EGMs in the previous six months were asked to nominate the venues at which they play the machines and also (for each venue nominated): ‘About how often do you play the machines at the …?’

 5. Duration relates to the most recent EGM session, with respondents asked: ‘On this occasion, about how long did you play the machines for?’

 6. Usual session expenditure was obtained by asking: ‘About how much do you usually spend each time you play the machines?’