Problem Gambling and Gaming Machine Density: Socio-spatial Analysis of Three Victorian Localities

Jan McMillen and Bruce Doran

International Gambling Studies, 2006, vol. 6, issue 1, 5-29

Abstract: This paper examines the debate about possible relationships between problem gambling and accessibility to electronic gaming machines (EGMs), in the context of the Victorian Government's policy that imposed a 'cap' on EGMs in disadvantaged communities. Using GIS (Geographical Information Systems), the spatial distribution of social disadvantage in three 'capped' localities was compared with the spatial distribution of gaming venues and patterns of concentrated EGM expenditure during 2001--2005, including seasonal trends. Research revealed different relationships between spatial and social categories in the study localities, indicating the need for more systematic local area analysis. This research raises questions about the limitations of conventional methodologies and regulatory strategies based on simple measures such as gaming machine density. We propose improvements to the methodology to better measure the changing level of local supply and demand for machine gaming.

Date: 2006
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1080/14459790600644093

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International Gambling Studies is currently edited by Katie Donnelly, David Marshall, Bronwyn Stuart, Alex Blaszczynski and Jan McMillen

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