Association between gambling accessibility and problem gambling in the general population

Abstract

Accessibility to gambling is one of the important modifiable determinants of problem gambling behaviour. Studies presented in this dissertation attempted to provide a comprehensive analysis and explanation of the association between accessibility and problem gambling prevalence using different measures of accessibility with quantitative and qualitative data. The first study examined the association between perceived accessibility and problem gambling severity and the moderating role of demographic characteristics, substance use, and psychosocial variables using a perceptual measure of accessibility. The second study examined the relative importance of availability, proximity, and a composite measure of accessibility in explaining the prevalence of problem gambling risk and severity. The third study examined the relative and interactive influence of actual and perceived accessibility on problem gambling risk and severity. The final study used a mixed-methods design to determine differences between non-problem, low-risk, moderate-risk, and problem gamblers in their accessibility to casinos in both Alberta and Tasmania.