A recent research study suggests a significant correlation between problem gambling and late-night play on poker machines in New South Wales (NSW). Titled ‘The Impact of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) Late Night Play on EGM Player Behaviours’, the study explored the behavior of late-night poker machine players.
Problem Gamblers Dominate Late-Night Play
The findings revealed that individuals with gambling issues constituted the majority of poker machine players during the late hours. Strikingly, around two-thirds of players engaged in the activity between 2am and 8am experienced “significant” adverse consequences.
The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) expressed its intention to leverage the research results to steer future rulings and regulations concerning late-night gambling.
ILGA’s Initiatives
In response to the findings, ILGA chairperson Caroline Lamb stated, “As part of our statutory obligation to minimise gaming-related harm, ILGA will make use of the study’s conclusions to inform future decisions.”
She further explained that ILGA has already initiated several measures aimed at mitigating gambling harm, especially concerning applications that extend the availability of gaming machines past midnight. Guideline 16, developed by ILGA, is one such initiative aimed at assisting gaming venues in minimizing gambling-related harm post-midnight and encouraging responsible gambling practices.
The guideline includes a recommendation for all gaming-related applications to be accompanied by a Gaming Plan of Management, featuring various measures designed to aid licensees in minimizing gambling-related harm at venues.
To further alleviate gambling-related harm, ILGA also imposes licence conditions on gaming-related applications to reduce risk.
The study was funded by the NSW Government’s Responsible Gambling Fund and supported by Liquor & Gaming NSW. Roy Morgan Research carried out the research.
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