Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998 prepared by Wynne Resources Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta and Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission June 1998 AA j^A^ Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission JnnmJRtm An Agency of the Government of Alberta ©98 ISBN 0-7785-0102-7 Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission PREFACE In 1994, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) served notice that the 1994 prevalence baseline study, commissioned by Alberta Lotteries and Gaming, would be replicated within 3- 5 years of the introduction of services for problem gambling in Alberta. In late 1996, AADAC contracted the Edmonton-based research firm of Wynne Resources Ltd. to conduct the study on Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998. This is the full report of the 1998 study. It is organized into two parts. Part I highlights AADAC s response to the 1998 study findings. Once the study was complete, AADAC went through an internal review process of the final report from Wynne Resources Ltd. Based on this review. Part I provides a summary of the major findings, discusses impUcations and makes recommendations from AADAC 's perspective in terms of gambling prevention, treatment, training and research. Part n of this fiill report contains the final report of the replication study prepared by Wynne Resources Ltd. This part presents the research design and methodology, research results, and conclusions and implications from the researchers' perspective. The study's original timelines caUed for this report to be published in November, 1998. It has been released early in response to the high degree of pubUc interest. The review of the study is not, however, as thorough and comprehensive as intended in analysis of implications. Further work needs to be done to deliver specific applications to programs. Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998 Part I, I mplications and Recommendations prepared by Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission June 1998 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/adultgannblingproOOwynn PART 1: Pageiii TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE i CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION 1 A. Purpose of This Report 1 B. The 1994 Study 1 C. The 1998 Study 2 CHAPTER n - MAJOR FINDINGS 3 A. Gambling Participation Rates 3 B. Problem Gambling Prevalence Rates 4 C. Gambling Activities 6 1 , Type of Gambling Activities 6 2. Expenditures on Gambling 8 D. Behavior of Gamblers 9 1 . Problem Gambling Behavior 10 E. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use 11 F. Profile of Probable Pathological Gamblers 11 CHAPTER m - RESEARCH ISSUES 13 A. Findings Needing Further Research 13 B. Definitions and Research Development 14 CHAPTER TV - RECOMMENDATIONS 17 A. Recommendations for Education and Prevention 17 B . Recommendations for Treatment 17 C . Recommendations for Training 18 D. Recommendations for Research 18 REFERENCES 20 Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998: Implications and Recommendations PART 1: Page iv LIST OF FIGURES 1 . Current Gambling Participation Rates by Survey Year 3 2. Prevalence Rates of Gamblers and Non-Gamblers by Survey Year 4 3. Prevalence of Problem Gambling by Survey Year 5 4. Current Gamblers' Gambling Activities by Survey Year 7 5. Percentage Who Bet on Continuous-Play Games by Level of Problem Gambling , 8 Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998: Implications and Recommendations PART I: Page 1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION A. Purpose of This Summary Report In 1994, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) served notice of its intention to replicate a 1994 Alberta Lotteries and Gaming (now Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission) study on tlie prevalence of gambling and problem gambling among adult Albertans. The purpose in conducting this replication study was to assess changes in Alberta's gambling participation and problem gambling as part of a continuous review of AADAC's broad strategy for problem gambling. The purpose of this report is to highlight AADAC's response to the 1998 study findings. More specifically, the purpose of this report is threefold: 1. To summarize the main findings of the 1998 study; 2. To discuss the implications of the 1998 study findings for gambling prevention, treatment, training and further research; and 3. To outline AADAC's recommendations for gambling prevention, treatment, training, and further research. Since the 1994 study, several regulatory modifications have been made to the Alberta legal gambling infrastructure to expand access to a range of gambling products in Alberta. For example, betting limits increased in casinos and hours of operation were extended; satellite bingo was approved; and the number of VLTs available was increased from 1,767 in 1994 to 5,957 in September, 1997. In Alberta, gross gaming revenues have increased from $2.2 billion dollars in 1993 to $3.2 billion in 1996. In particular for VLTs, gross revenue has increased from $835 million dollars in 1993 to $1.8 billion dollars in 1996. Conversely, in several instances, changes were made to ameliorate the effects of problem gambling (e.g., the number of VLTs was capped at 6,000 instead of 8,000; the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) limited some lottery product advertising; and AADAC was given the mandate and funding to establish and operate prevention, treatment, training and research initiatives for problem gambling). In addition to the current study, the results of the Alberta Lotteries and Gaming Summit '98 are being completed; a study on slowing down the speed of VLT play and increasing pay outs has been announced by AGLC, and program development continues in the industry, the health field and AADAC. B. The 1994 Study In 1994, a baseline study was conducted by Wynne Resources Limited for Alberta Lotteries and Gaming on the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling among adult Albertans. Data for the study were collected in two phases. The first phase involved a telephone survey of a representative sample of 1,803 Albertans, 18 years of age and older. The second phase consisted of in-depth field interviews with a sub-sample of 30 Albertans to add to the understanding of problem gamblers. Details of the study are documented in the report. Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta by Wynne Resources Ltd., 1994. Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998: Implications and Recommendations PARTI: Page 2 C. The 1998 Study A second study was conducted in 1997/98 by Wynne Resources Ltd. for A AD AC on the prevalence of adult gambling and problem gambling. The purpose of this study was to determine the current characteristics and scope of gambling and problem gambling among adults in Alberta and to compare these findings with the earlier 1994 study findings. The results serve as a basis for AADAC to enhance or modify current problem gambling initiatives and to guide further program development. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: 1. To determine the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling within the population of adult Albertans (age 18 and older); 2. To analyse and describe the characteristics and behavior of non-problem and problem gamblers; 3. To ascertain, analyse and describe non-problem and problem gamblers' use of licit and illicit substances (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and drugs); 4. To compare 1998 research findings with results from the 1994 study; and 5. To offer conclusions and implications that may assist AADAC in prevention, education, treatment, and research initiatives designed to ameliorate problem gambling. In September 1997, telephone interviews were conducted with 1,821 Albertans from across the province who were 18 years of age or older. This sample size was chosen to closely approximate the 1994 adult gambling survey sample (n = 1,803) and estimates for both samples are accurate 19 times out of 20 (± 2.3%). That is, with a province-wide sample of 1,821 adult Albertans, one can say with 95% certainty that the results for each survey are within ±2.3% of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Alberta had been interviewed. Consistent with the 1994 study, 24% of respondents were from Edmonton, 28% were from Calgary, 33% were from northern Alberta, and 15% were from southern Alberta. The questionnaire used in the telephone interviews consisted of 79 items capturing information on gambling activity, demographics, substance use, and problem gambling. As the purpose of the study was to replicate the 1994 study, the questions were designed to be comparable, with a few enhancements. In particular, some changes to the questionnaire were as follows: (1) Internet gambling was added; (2) response categories of some of the demographic questions were expanded and religion was added; and (3) questions were added on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. For more details of the study, see Part II for the final report prepared by Wynne Resources Ltd. Adult Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta, 1998: Implications and Recommendations