Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing Recent documents in Nerilee Hing en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:22:46 PST 3600 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/90 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/90 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:26 PST Arising from a larger study into workplace influences on gambling amongst employees who work in hotels, clubs, and casinos in Queensland, Australia, this paper presents six case studies of staff with gambling problems. All six developed their gambling problems while working in gaming venues. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed thematically to reveal several ways in which the work environment in gaming venues influences the gambling behaviour of these staff. For these employees, the attraction of gambling is reportedly enhanced by close interaction with gamblers, frequent exposure to gambling, the influence of fellow employees, the influence of management, workplace stress, hours of work, and frequent exposure to gambling marketing and promotions. Responsible gambling training and other venue-based responsible gambling measures did not protect these staff from gambling problems. An understanding of these workplace influences on problem gambling can inform identification of appropriate interventions. Nerilee Hing http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/88 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/88 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:25 PST In recent years, gaming venues have devoted considerable resources to lowering their patrons' risk of developing gambling problems. However, far less attention has been given to lowering this risk for gaming venue employees, even though numerous workplace factors can enhance the attractiveness of gambling. This article reports on a small survey of 56 gaming venue staff, which conducted as part of a larger project investigating workplace influences on the gambling behaviour of gaming venue employees. Nerilee Hing http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/89 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/89 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:25 PST The Queensland Responsible Gambling Code of Practice is a voluntary commitment by gambling providers to assist with responsible gambling. This qualitative research involving interviews with 20 managers and staff from 14 gambling venues at the Gold Coast aims to examine awareness and implementation of the Code plus perceptions of its effectiveness. After the first year, the average level of implementation of all the elements in the Code was 78% for these venues. Of the Code's six major practice areas, the physical layout and environment practice was reported as being very effective while the provision of information, including signage and the odds of winning, was perceived as the least effective practice. Training and education were seen as important facilitators in encouraging responsible gambling. The implementation of the Code supports the goal of sustainability for the Gold Coast as a tourist destination. Helen Breen http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/87 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/87 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:56:24 PST Research into workplace influences on the gambling behaviour of gaming venue employees found that shiftwork was perceived by most employees as the key factor encouraging gambling by venue staff. Using a qualitative design, researchers visited venues in 5 regions of Queensland to interview 92 employees from hotels, licensed clubs and casinos. A thematic analysis uncovered key reasons for shiftwork being seen as more important than other workplace influences. These themes include: a lack of alternative social opportunities, only gambling venues are open after late shifts, staff tend to socialise with other hospitality workers, social isolation, gamble to fill in time, and shiftwork makes it easier to hide heavy gambling. However, some interviewees felt shiftwork discouraged them from gambling, because most gambling venues are closed after finishing late shift and shiftwork means they go out less overall. Other employees considered that shiftwork had no influence, because they find other activities in their time off and/or they just go home after a shift. Providing more regular shifts and promoting family and alternative social and recreational activities for staff are measures venues could implement to help counter these effects. Author(s): Nerilee Hing 1 * | Helen Breen 2 Nerilee Hing http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/86 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/86 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:51:03 PST Helen Breen http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/85 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/85 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:27 PDT Queensland introduced its Responsible Gambling Code of Practice in May 2002. The Code was based on six practice areas related to the provision of information, interaction with customers and community, exclusion provisions, physical environments, financial transactions, and advertising and promotions. The practices were developed from the Productivity Commission's (1999) recommendations for harm minimisation and extensive stakeholder consultation. This paper reports on a study investigating the level of implementation of the Code's practices in casinos, hotels and licensed clubs in three regions within Queensland. The study also examined the perceptions of managers and employees about the Code's adequacy. The study was undertaken in Longreach, Townsville and southeast Queensland and involved on-site inspections of 30 venues and qualitative data gathered from semi-structured interviews with their managers and staff. The investigation established that some practices had a higher likelihood of being implemented than others. In addition, the level of implementation varied considerably between venues. For example, a small number of venues had implemented most practices, a small number had implemented very few, while most had implemented between 40 and 60 percent of the practices. It appears that the number of gaming machines in a venue, the type of venue, regional location and management attitudes to the Code may influence the level of compliance with the Code. Managers' perceptions of the adequacy of practices included in the Code varied considerably. Some practices, such as physical layout, were considered more effective by most venue managers than others, such as the provision of information and signage. Helen Breen http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/84 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/84 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:24 PDT Barry Evans http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/83 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/83 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:23 PDT Sharen Nisbet http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/82 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/82 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:22 PDT Helen Breen http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/81 http://works.bepress.com/nerilee_hing/81 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:48:21 PDT Nerilee Hing