Gambling Behaviours and Problem Gambling Among Older Adults Who Patronize Ontario Casinos or Racinos
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4309/jgi.2018.39.4Abstract
This study examined the rate of gambling problems among Ontario older adults at gambling venues. Herein we describe an intercept survey that took place at casinos and horse racing tracks with slot machines or other forms of casino games (racinos) in southwestern Ontario, Canada. This method provided a significant opportunity to obtain a large sample of older adult casino gamblers in order to understand the gambling habits and gambling problems of this population. We used an intercept recruitment method to obtain a sample of 2,103 older adults (aged 55 and older) who were gambling at each of the seven gaming venues, as well as a systematic quota sampling method for age category (e.g., 55–64, 65–74, and 75 and above) and sex. On average, the participants engaged in 3.6 forms of gambling in the past year, and 78.6% reported playing slot machines or other forms of electronic gaming machines monthly or more often. They reported spending an average of 3.29 hr gambling at casinos or racinos per visit and 134.9 hr at casinos or racinos per year. Just over one-fifth of the sample reported spending more than $6,000 in casinos or racinos in the past year. Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the proportion of the sample experiencing severe problem gambling (PGSI = 8+) was 6.9%, and an additional 20.3% reported moderate gambling problems (PGSI = 3 to 7).
Résumé
Cette étude a examiné le taux de problèmes de jeu de personnes âgées de l’Ontario sur les sites de jeu. On y décrit un sondage par interception qui a eu lieu dans des casinos et des pistes de course de chevaux où se trouvent des machines à sous ou d’autres formes de jeux de casino (racinos) dans le sud-ouest de l’Ontario, au Canada. Cette méthode a fourni une occasion importante d’obtenir un vaste échantillon de joueurs de casino adultes plus âgés afin de comprendre les habitudes de jeu et les problèmes de jeu de cette population. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de recrutement par interception pour obtenir un échantillon de 2 103 aînés (âgés de 55 ans et plus) qui jouaient à chacun des sept sites de jeu, ainsi qu’une méthode d’échantillonnage systématique par quotas pour les catégories d’âge (p. ex. 55–64, 65–74 et 75 ans et plus) et le sexe. En moyenne, les participants ont joué à 3,6 formes de jeu au cours de la dernière année, et 78,6 % ont déclaré jouer aux machines à sous ou à d’autres formes de machines de jeux électroniques tous les mois ou plus souvent. Ils ont déclaré avoir consacré en moyenne 3,29 heures à jouer dans les casinos ou les racinos par visite et 134,9 heures dans les casinos ou les racinos par année. Un peu plus d’un cinquième de l’échantillon a déclaré avoir dépensé plus de 6 000 $ dans des casinos ou des racinos au cours de la dernière année. Selon l’Indice de gravité du jeu problématique (IGJP), la proportion de joueurs de l’échantillon ayant eu des problèmes de jeu excessifs (IGJP = 8+) était de 6,9 %, et une autre partie de 20,3 % des joueurs a signalé avoir des problèmes de jeu modérés (IGJP = 3 à 7).
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