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Responsible Gambling in Canada: An Analysis of the RG Check Patron Surveys

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Abstract

This study analyzed the Responsible Gambling Check patron survey data from Canadian casinos and racinos collected from 2011-2019 (18,580 patrons and 75 venues). The results indicated increasing awareness and use over time of harm minimization tools among more frequent patrons. Despite these promising trends, it is concerning that a substantial percentage of gamblers are still unaware of the harm minimization tools available. Further, the actual impact of this awareness on responsible gambling behaviour is largely unknown. We suggest greater efforts are needed nation-wide to promote the awareness, utilization, and evaluation of these harm minimization tools.

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Acknowledgements

The present study is part of a comprehensive national study of gambling jointly funded by the Canadian Consortium for Gambling Research, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, GREO, and the Alberta Gambling Research Institute (AGRI). Further information on this study can be found on our website: https://research.ucalgary.ca/alberta-gambling-research-institute/research/national-gambling-study. Thanks go to Dr. Séamus O’Shea, AGRI Board Chair, and Glenda Wong, AGRI Executive Director, for their foresight in helping to formulate and develop the AGRI National Project and in facilitating its successful implementation. Thanks also to Tracy Parker (RGC) and Margo Hilbrecht (GREO) for providing the RG Check patron data and assisting with the some of the methodological details.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Alberta, T1K3M4, Canada

    Darren R. Christensen, Robert J. Williams, Carrie A. Shaw, Yale D. Belanger & Rhys M. G. Stevens

  2. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Fiona Nicoll & Garry J. Smith

  3. Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada

    Nady el-Guebaly

  4. University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    David C. Hodgins & Daniel C. McGrath

  5. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Darren R. Christensen

Authors
  1. Darren R. Christensen
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  2. Fiona Nicoll
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  3. Robert J. Williams
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  4. Carrie A. Shaw
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  5. Nady el-Guebaly
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  6. David C. Hodgins
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  7. Daniel C. McGrath
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  8. Garry J. Smith
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  9. Yale D. Belanger
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  10. Rhys M. G. Stevens
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Correspondence to Darren R. Christensen.

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Fig.
figure 1

1RG check 2015–2019 patron survey

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Christensen, D.R., Nicoll, F., Williams, R.J. et al. Responsible Gambling in Canada: An Analysis of the RG Check Patron Surveys. J Gambl Stud 38, 905–915 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10052-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10052-z

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