Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK.
Health Promot J Austr. 2022 Apr;33(2):533-541. doi: 10.1002/hpja.500. Epub 2021 Jul 1.
Older adults are at an increased risk of experiencing gambling harm, which may be due to their use of high-intensity gambling products such as electronic gambling machines (EGMs). However, little research has explored the motivations behind older adults' engagement with EGMs, their understanding of the structural characteristics of EGMs, or their perceptions of risk associated with EGM gambling. This paper aims to address this gap in the literature.
Focus groups were conducted in Melbourne, Australia with n = 126 adults aged 55+, who had attended a club or pub in the last 12 months. Topics included EGM attitudes and behaviours, structural characteristics of EGMs, and the potential risks associated with EGM gambling. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
For most participants, EGM gambling was secondary to their participation in other activities available within venues. Participants identified structural characteristics of EGMs; however, there were some misconceptions about how EGMs operated, including how or why machines paid out. Most participants perceived that they were not at risk of gambling harm because they engaged in "responsible" gambling practices such as setting limits.
Older adults often engaged in EGM gambling because of its availability in community-based venues. Older adults' perception that they are implementing responsible gambling practices may be increasing their susceptibility to harm. SO WHAT?: There is a need to reduce the availability and accessibility of EGMs in community settings and develop public education programs that are tailored to the needs of older adults.
老年人面临更高的赌博伤害风险，这可能是由于他们使用了高强度的赌博产品，如电子赌博机（EGM）。然而，很少有研究探讨老年人参与 EGM 的动机、他们对 EGM 结构特征的理解，或他们对 EGM 赌博相关风险的看法。本文旨在填补这一文献空白。
在澳大利亚墨尔本，对 126 名年龄在 55 岁以上、过去 12 个月内去过俱乐部或酒吧的成年人进行了焦点小组讨论。讨论的主题包括 EGM 态度和行为、EGM 的结构特征，以及与 EGM 赌博相关的潜在风险。采用主题分析方法对数据进行解释。
对大多数参与者来说，EGM 赌博是他们在场所内参与其他活动的次要活动。参与者确定了 EGM 的结构特征，但对 EGM 的运作方式存在一些误解，包括机器如何或为何支付。大多数参与者认为他们没有赌博伤害的风险，因为他们采用了“负责任”的赌博方式，如设定限制。
老年人经常参与 EGM 赌博是因为它们在社区场所中很容易获得。老年人认为他们正在实施负责任的赌博行为，这可能会增加他们受到伤害的可能性。
需要减少社区环境中 EGM 的可用性和可及性，并制定针对老年人需求的公共教育计划。
