Publications

Showing 89 publications

• Catalyst or circuit-breaker? A prospective study to assess COVID-19’s effects on relationships between gambling availability, gambling and harmful gambling, and social, psychological and financial wellbeing

  Nerilee Hing,1 Alex M. T. Russell,1 Matthew Rockloff,1 Matthew Browne,1 Vijay Rawat,1 Gabrielle Bryden,1 Nancy Greer,1 Hannah Thorne.1 Philip Newall,2 Nicki Dowling,3 Stephanie Merkouris,3 (2023)

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — June 2024

  This study explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on gambling in Australia due to changes in the availability and access to gambling. There were four major aims of the study:

  1. Examine behaviour change

  2. Determine the characteristics of gamblers

  3. Identify the characteristics of gamblers who transitioned into levels of harmful gambling

  4. Identify the characteristics of gamblers who ceased gambling and the associated impacts on their wellbeing.

  A longitudinal study of participants who gambled prior to the lockdowns was conducted over three waves in May 2020, May 2021 and May 2022.

  • COVID-19
  • pokies

  View details for "Catalyst or circuit-breaker? A prospective study to assess COVID-19’s effects on relationships between gambling availability, gambling and harmful gambling, and social, psychological and financial wellbeing" | Download "Catalyst or circuit-breaker? A prospective study to assess COVID-19’s effects on relationships between gambling availability, gambling and harmful gambling, and social, psychological and financial wellbeing" (PDF — 5.3 MB)

• Experiences of venue-based EGM gamblers during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions: Did they return to venues to gamble or substitute alternate activities?

  Hare, S and Robinson, N (2023)

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — May 2024

  Experiences of venue-based EGM gamblers during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions: Did they return to venues to gamble or substitute alternate activities?

  Hare, S and Robinson, N (2023)

  This study explores the experiences during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, Australia, of people who previously used electronic gaming machines (EGMs) at land-based venues. It focuses on whether they substituted alternative activities for gambling and if they returned to venues after restrictions were lifted. It also considers the psychological and financial effects of COVID, perceptions of the effects of EGM venue closures, experiences of coping with gambling urges, and how these influenced decisions to return to EGM venues.

  • COVID-19
  • pokies
  • research

  View details for "Experiences of venue-based EGM gamblers during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions: Did they return to venues to gamble or substitute alternate activities?" | Download "Experiences of venue-based EGM gamblers during COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions: Did they return to venues to gamble or substitute alternate activities?" (PDF — 5.7 MB)

• Electronic gaming machine environment study – Wave 2 summary

  Duffy, L

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — May 2024

  This study provides a snapshot of the Victorian gambling venue environment and the attitudes and behaviours of customers and staff. Data was collected via surveys of pokies users and gambling venue staff. Findings from this study will inform the ongoing review and improvement of harm minimisation policies and approaches in Victorian gaming venues.

  • pokies
  • research

  View details for "Electronic gaming machine environment study – Wave 2 summary" | Download "Electronic gaming machine environment study – Wave 2 summary" (PDF — 1.3 MB)

• Exploring the relationship between alcohol use and gambling participation and their impacts on associated harms

  Smit, K, Jiang, H, Rockloff, M, Room, R, MacLean, S, Dwyer, R, Laslett, AM

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne — May 2024

  This short report explores the relationship between alcohol use and gambling participation and their associated harms in Victoria. It describes the groups most commonly participating in drinking and gambling, studies the relationship between alcohol use, gambling participation and harm, and looks into this relationship in different demographic and socio-economic populations.

  • research

  View details for "Exploring the relationship between alcohol use and gambling participation and their impacts on associated harms" | Download "Exploring the relationship between alcohol use and gambling participation and their impacts on associated harms" (PDF — 1.2 MB)

• The Gambling Harms Scales: Instruments to assess impact to gamblers and affected others that are benchmarked to health utility

  Browne, M, Newall, P, Rawat, V, Tulloch, C, Rockloff, M, Li, E, Hing, N, Russell, A, Begg, S

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — May 2023

  This project set out to develop and validate new measures of gambling-related harm for both people who gamble, and those affected by someone else’s gambling.

  View details for "The Gambling Harms Scales: Instruments to assess impact to gamblers and affected others that are benchmarked to health utility" | Download "The Gambling Harms Scales: Instruments to assess impact to gamblers and affected others that are benchmarked to health utility" (PDF — 2.9 MB)

• Experiences and perceptions of gamblers using gambling, mental health and alcohol and other drug use online forums: A natural language processing approach

  Merkouris, S. S., Youssef, G. J., Dowling, N. A. & Rodda, S. N.

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — April 2023

  In this report, the researchers explored the experiences and perceptions of people who gamble, using online forums in Australia, the UK and the USA.

  View details for "Experiences and perceptions of gamblers using gambling, mental health and alcohol and other drug use online forums: A natural language processing approach" | Download "Experiences and perceptions of gamblers using gambling, mental health and alcohol and other drug use online forums: A natural language processing approach" (PDF — 2.8 MB)

• From adolescence to young adulthood: Associations between simulated and traditional gambling, and the role of parental factors

  Russell, AProf Alex M T., Hing, Prof Nerilee, Newall, Dr Philip, Greer, Nancy, Dittman, Dr Cassandra K.

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — April 2023

  This study looks at whether simulated gambling can act as a gateway to traditional gambling among young people. It also explores how parents, other family members, and friends influence both simulated and traditional gambling behaviour.

  View details for "From adolescence to young adulthood: Associations between simulated and traditional gambling, and the role of parental factors" | Download "From adolescence to young adulthood: Associations between simulated and traditional gambling, and the role of parental factors" (PDF — 3.0 MB)

• The receptivity of young people to gambling marketing strategies on social media platforms

  Pitt, H, McCarthy, S, Rintoul, A & Thomas, S

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — April 2023

  This study examined marketing strategies used by sports betting brands on social media, with a focus on their potential to appeal to young people.

  View details for "The receptivity of young people to gambling marketing strategies on social media platforms" | Download "The receptivity of young people to gambling marketing strategies on social media platforms" (PDF — 4.1 MB)

• Gambling harm experienced by children of parents who gamble

  Suomi, A., Lucas, N., Dowling, N., Delfabbro, P.

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — October 2022

  Through surveys and interviews, this study seeks to better understand the harm experienced by children that can be attributed to their parents’ gambling.

  View details for "Gambling harm experienced by children of parents who gamble" | Download "Gambling harm experienced by children of parents who gamble" (PDF — 1.3 MB)

• Recognition and responses to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Gambler’s Help services: A qualitative study

  Cowlishaw, S., O’Dwyer, C., Sbisa, A., Metcalf, O., Couineau, A., O’Donnell, M., Suomi, A.

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — October 2022

  Through interviews with 20 Gambler’s Help staff from Victoria and South Australia, this study explored the potential role gambling help services can play in the identification and response to clients who had either experienced or used violence in their intimate relationships.

  View details for "Recognition and responses to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Gambler’s Help services: A qualitative study" | Download "Recognition and responses to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Gambler’s Help services: A qualitative study" (PDF — 698.8 KB)

• Gambling problems, risk factors, and implications in Australian veterans

  Dr Olivia Metcalf, Dr Ellie Lawrence-Wood, Ms Jenelle Baur, Dr Miranda Van Hooff, Professor David Forbes, Professor Meaghan O’Donnell, Ms Nicole Sadler, Dr Stephanie Hodson, Ms Helen Benassi, Dr Tracey Varker, Professor Malcolm Battersby, et al

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — August 2022

  Utilising responses from over 3500 transitioned Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, this is believed to be the first comprehensive study of gambling problems in recently transitioned veterans in Australia.

  View details for "Gambling problems, risk factors, and implications in Australian veterans" | Download "Gambling problems, risk factors, and implications in Australian veterans" (PDF — 699.4 KB)

• Addressing gambling harm to affected others: a scoping review

  Dowling, N. A., Hawker, C. O., Merkouris, S. S., Rodda, S. N., and Hodgins, D. C.

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — April 2022

  This scoping review of more than 80 studies considers the gambling-related harms experienced by affected others: family members, partners, friends, and colleagues of individuals with gambling problems.

  View details for "Addressing gambling harm to affected others: a scoping review" | Download "Addressing gambling harm to affected others: a scoping review" (PDF — 1.6 MB)

• What is the impact of cashless gaming on gambling behaviour and harm?

  Hare, S

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — December 2021

  Cashless gaming involves the use of non-cash gaming tokens for land-based gambling. This report reviews literature covering gambling research, consumer behaviour and cognitive psychology, to examine the possible effects of cashless gaming from a gambling harm-minimisation perspective.

  View details for "What is the impact of cashless gaming on gambling behaviour and harm?" | Download "What is the impact of cashless gaming on gambling behaviour and harm?" (PDF — 880.4 KB)

• Examining risk and protective factors for the development of gambling-related harms and problems in Victorian LGBTIQ+ communities

  Rachel Bush, Alex M. T. Russell, Andrea Waling, Petra K. Staiger, and Nicki A. Dowling

  October 2021

  Limited research exists into the behaviour and perspectives of LGBTIQ+ communities in relation to gambling. This project involved two separate studies: a quantitative investigation into the relationship between LGBTIQ+ status and gambling behaviour, and a qualitative pilot investigation into how LGBTIQ+ people characterise their engagement with gambling.

  View details for "Examining risk and protective factors for the development of gambling-related harms and problems in Victorian LGBTIQ+ communities" | Download "Examining risk and protective factors for the development of gambling-related harms and problems in Victorian LGBTIQ+ communities" (PDF — 13.8 MB)

• People with intellectual disability and their lived experiences of gambling

  Dr Hannah Pitt, Prof. Samantha Thomas, Dr Joanne Watson and Prof. Susan Balandin

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — October 2021

  Through one-on-one interviews with people with an intellectual disability, and focus groups with supporters of people with an intellectual disability, this study aims to broaden the understanding of the risks gambling may have on someone with an intellectual disability.

  • comorbidity

  View details for "People with intellectual disability and their lived experiences of gambling" | Download "People with intellectual disability and their lived experiences of gambling" (PDF — 11.1 MB)

• Lived experience of help-seeking in the presence of gambling related harms and coexisting mental health conditions

  Dr Aino Suomi, A/Prof Nicki Dowling

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — October 2021

  This project aimed to address two gaps in our understanding. Currently there are no evidence-based frameworks or guidance for engaging individuals with a lived experience of gambling harm in gambling harm prevention activities. Additionally, no studies have examined the help-seeking experiences of individuals who present to services with both gambling-related harms and other mental health conditions.

  • mental health

  View details for "Lived experience of help-seeking in the presence of gambling related harms and coexisting mental health conditions" | Download "Lived experience of help-seeking in the presence of gambling related harms and coexisting mental health conditions" (PDF — 971.9 KB)

• Lucky for some: bingo in Victoria

  Maltzahn, K, Whiteside, M, Thompson, A, Kirirua, J, Cox, J, Lee, H & MacLean, S

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — July 2021

  This report explores how people from disadvantaged communities experience bingo and how harms can be minimised for individuals and communities.

  • bingo

  View details for "Lucky for some: bingo in Victoria" | Download "Lucky for some: bingo in Victoria" (PDF — 1.2 MB)

• Personal insolvencies and the availability of neighbourhood gaming venues

  Badji, S, Black, N, Johnston, D

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — July 2021

  This research aimed to measure how changes in the number of electronic gaming machine venues in a local area impacted serious financial harms, as measured by the number of personal insolvencies.

  • pokies

  View details for "Personal insolvencies and the availability of neighbourhood gaming venues" | Download "Personal insolvencies and the availability of neighbourhood gaming venues" (PDF — 2.0 MB)

• Proximity to gambling venues, gambling behaviours and related harms

  Badji, S, Black, N, Johnston, D

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — July 2021

  This study investigated whether the proximity of a gambling venue to a person's home or shopping zone influences gambling behaviours and resultant harms, and identified characteristics of individuals who are most likely to be affected by living close to venues.

  • pokies

  View details for "Proximity to gambling venues, gambling behaviours and related harms" | Download "Proximity to gambling venues, gambling behaviours and related harms" (PDF — 1.2 MB)

• Gambling problems among Australian military personnel after deployment: analyses of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Prospective Health Study

  Dr Cowlishaw, S, Dr Metcalf, O, Dr Little, J, Dr Sbisa, A, Dr Deans, C, Prof. O’Donnell, M, Ms Sadler, N, Dr Van Hooff, M, Dr Lawrence-Wood, E, Ms Crozier, T, Prof. Battersby, M, Prof. McFarlane, A, and Prof. Forbes, D

  Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation — July 2021

  This project evaluated the frequency of gambling problems, and resultant mental health, wellbeing and psychosocial implications, in Australian Defence Force (ADF) military personnel.

  • comorbidity

  View details for "Gambling problems among Australian military personnel after deployment: analyses of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Prospective Health Study" | Download "Gambling problems among Australian military personnel after deployment: analyses of the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Prospective Health Study" (PDF — 787.4 KB)