|
Following the opening of the casino,
significantly more participants in Hull chose
the “no opinion” response concerning the impact
of a casino compared with the control group (c2
= 11.95, df 2, n = 878, P < 0.004).
Nevertheless, both groups still perceived a
positive impact on tourism (Table 4).
Lifetime Prevalence. To facilitate comparison
with the lifetime prevalence results from a
prevalence study replication, a nonparametric
repeated measures ANOVA (region × time; Proc
CATMOD; 13) was performed on lifetime prevalence
(for the 3 categories non-problem gamblers,
at-risk gamblers, and probable pathological
gamblers). Results revealed a significant region
× time interaction effect for the level of
at-risk gamblers in relation to time (c2 = 7.58,
df 1, n = 864, P < 0.01). In the Hull area, the
percent of at-risk gamblers had almost doubled
over 1 year (Table 2).
Discussion
Our report represents the first published
longitudinal study to empirically evaluate the
impact of the establishment of a casino on
gambling habits, using a paired-subject design
and a control group. The results confirm the
hypothesis that an increase in the availability
of gambling activities is followed by increased
participation in these activities, even within
as short a period as 1 year. The study design
allows us to demonstrate a causal link between
the establishment of the casino and a subsequent
increase in self-reported gambling levels.
Back to casino
news
|
