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The identification of Australian low-risk gambling limits: A comparison of gambling-related harm measures

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posted on 2021-04-16, 00:00 authored by Nicki DowlingNicki Dowling, Christopher GreenwoodChristopher Greenwood, Stephanie MerkourisStephanie Merkouris, George YoussefGeorge Youssef, Matthew Browne, Matthew Rockloff, Paul Myers
AbstractBackground and aimsProblem gambling severity and gambling-related harm are closely coupled, but conceptually distinct, constructs. The primary aim was to compare low-risk gambling limits when gambling-related harm was defined using the negative consequence items of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI-Harm) and the Short Gambling Harms Scale items (SGHS-Harm). A secondary aim was compare low-risk limits derived using a definition of harm in which at least two harms across different domains (e.g. financial and relationship) were endorsed with a definition of harm in which at least two harms from any domain were endorsed.MethodsData were collected from dual-frame computer-assisted telephone interviews of 5,000 respondents in the fourth Social and Economic Impact Study (SEIS) of Gambling in Tasmania. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyse were conducted to identify low-risk gambling limits.ResultsPGSI-Harm and SGHS-Harm definitions produced similar overall limits: 30–37 times per year; AUD$510–$544 per year; expenditure comprising no more than 10.2–10.3% of gross personal income; 400–454 minutes per year; and 2 types of gambling activities per year. Acceptable limits (AUC ≥0.70) were identified for horse/dog racing, keno, and sports/other betting using the PGSI definition; and electronic gaming machines, keno, and bingo using the SGHS definition. The requirement that gamblers endorse two or more harms across different domains had a relatively negligible effect.Discussion and conclusionsAlthough replications using alternative measures of harm are required, previous PGSI-based limits appear to be robust thresholds that have considerable potential utility in the prevention of gambling-related harm.

History

Journal

Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Volume

10

Issue

1

Pagination

21 - 34

Publisher

Akademiai Kiado Zrt.

Location

Budapest, Hungary

ISSN

2062-5871

eISSN

2063-5303

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

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