The Statistics Canada dataset on gambling (Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health and Well-being [CCHS – 1.2]) was analyzed to establish and validate a set of low-risk gambling limits. These limits and the analysis process are documented in detail in a manuscript recently accepted for publication in the journal, Addiction. In addition, the low-risk limits have been applied to provincial datasets from Alberta, Ontario, and BC.

A survey sent to gambling researchers, clinicians, policy makers and other experts in the field sought opinions on the feasibility of low-risk limits for the field of gambling and the face validity of an empirically-derived set of low-risk limits. The results of the survey are detailed in a manuscript that has been submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

An examination of whether low-risk gambling is associated with any psychological benefits was accomplished by two activities. First, experts who completed the survey were asked whether they believe gambling to have psychological benefits. Sixty-three percent of respondents agreed that low-risk gambling can have psychological benefits including reducing stress, excitement of winning, socializing, and satisfaction of supporting worthy causes. Second, a further analysis of the CCHS – 1.2 was conducted to determine if gamblers who stay below the low-risk gambling thresholds show less stress, greater coping ability and greater psychological well-being compared to non-gamblers. Thus far, results have been inconclusive.

Scholarly Publications:

Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., Wynne, H., & Miller, N. V. (2008). Replication of low-risk gambling limits using Canadian provincial gambling prevalence data. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 321-335.
doi:10.1007/s10899-008-9091-y

Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., & Wynne, H. (2008). In pursuit of empirically based responsible gambling limits. International Gambling Studies, 8(2), 207-227.
doi: 10.1080/14459790802172265

Currie, S. R., & Casey, D. M. (2007). Quantification and dimensionalization of gambling behavior. In G. Smith, D. Hodgins, & R. Williams (Eds.), Research and Measurement Issues in Gambling Studies (pp. 155-177). San Diego, CA: Elsevier.

Currie, S. R., Hodgins, D. C., Wang, J., el-Guebaly, N., Wynne, H., & Chen, S. (2006). Risk of harm among gamblers in the general population as a function of level of participation in gambling activities. Addiction, 101(4), 570-580.
doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01392.x

The following report was conceptually related to this project:

el-Guebaly, N., Currie, S., Hodgins, D., Smith, G., & Williams, R. (2005, May). Adapting the Reno Model for Alberta. Final report submitted to Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.

Conference Presentations:

Preliminary results were presented at both the 3rd and 4th Annual Alberta Conferences on Gambling Research (May 2004 in Banff and March 2005 in Edmonton), at the Provincial Gambling Stakeholder Meeting (February 2005 in Edmonton), and at poster exhibitions sponsored by the Institute in Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Calgary. Further results that include the expert opinion survey are being prepared for presentation at the Discovery gambling conference in 2006.

Additional Information:

See the Low Risk Gambling Limits Project from the Addictive Behaviours Laboratory at the University of Calgary.

The Alberta Gaming Research Institute provides grant funding to support peer-endorsed academic investigations into many aspects of gambling research. The contents, recommendations, and findings of the associated research reports, posted on this website, represent the views of the researcher(s).

Last Updated: 11/21/08