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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/88222
- Title
- Gambling accessibility: a scale to measure gambler preferences
- Author(s)
- Moore, Susan M.; Thomas, Anna C.; Kyrios, Michael; Bates, Glen; Meredyth, Denise
- Abstract
- Geographic closeness of gambling venues is not the only aspect of accessibility likely to affect gambling frequency. Perceived accessibility of gambling venues may include other features such as convenience (e.g., opening hours) or 'atmosphere'. The aim of the current study was to develop a multidimensional measure of gamblers' perceptions of accessibility, and present evidence for its reliability and validity. We surveyed 303 gamblers with 43 items developed to measure different dimensions of accessibility. Factor analysis of the items produced a two factor solution. The first, Social Accessibility related to the level at which gambling venues were enjoyed because they were social places, provided varying entertainment options and had a pleasant atmosphere. The second factor, Accessible Retreat related to the degree to which venues were enjoyed because they were geographically and temporally available and provided a familiar and anonymous retreat with few interruptions or distractions. Both factors, developed as reliable subscales of the new Gambling Access Scale, demonstrated construct validity through their correlations with other gambling-related measures. Social Accessibility was moderately related to gambling frequency and amount spent, but not to problem gambling, while, as hypothesised, Accessible Retreat was associated with stronger urges to gamble and gambling problems.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
- Source
- Journal of Gambling Studies, Vol. 27, no. 1 (March 2011), pp. 129-143
- Publication year
- 2011
- FOR Code(s)
- 1506 Tourism; 1701 Psychology
- Keyword(s)
- Gambling accessibility; Gambling venues; Problem gambling
- Publisher
- Springer
- ISSN
- 1050-5350
- Publisher URL
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-010-9203-3
- Copyright
- Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010.
- Additional information
- The authors acknowledge support from the Victorian Government, Office of Gaming and Racing, Department of Justice (Australia).
- Peer reviewed
