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52. THE DETERMINANTS OF PROBLEM AND RECREATIONAL GAMBLING AND THE EFFECT OF GAMBLING ON HEALTH
Project Approved 2009-10

Dr. Jane E. Ruseski (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Economics, University of Alberta

Dr. Brad R. Humphreys (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Economics, University of Alberta

Co-investigator:

Dr. John A. Nyman
School of Public Health, University of Minnesota

This project investigates the determinants of classes of gamblers, their health problems and health care utilization. The intent of the proposal is to investigate whether there is a difference between the characteristics that predict classes of gambling and to investigate the health problems and medical care utilization for different classes of gamblers.  Our empirical models of classes of gamblers are rooted in economic theory but also include elements of the psychological theories of the determinants of gambling and public health.  This will enable us to distinguish from multiple perspectives those characteristics that are unique to disordered gambling.  We can then examine the associated health problems and medical care utilization across different classes of gamblers.  The practical significance of distinguishing the determinants of classes of gamblers and their health care utilization is that by doing so we may be able to design treatment policies that are directed more precisely at a particular type of gambler.

Status (April 2011)

Three data sets relevant to the investigation were identified. The data sets include:

1. A population survey of gambling prevalence in Alberta conducted in 2001
    
   • Mapped the verbal description of the respondents’ occupation to the Census 2000 Standard Occupation Classification Codes and created a variable to merge with the master survey file. Also aggregated the specific occupation variables and initiated econometric analysis of the determinants of gambling using these data.   
      
2. The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
   
   
   • 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 public use data files were obtained and analysis files created. A draft created of a manuscript titled “The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”.  The paper examines the relationship between gambling activities and health outcomes using data from the 2003, 2005 and 2007 waves of the Canadian Community Health Survey.   
      
3. The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). 
    
   • These data are no longer publicly available. The U.S. government has not yet developed procedures for access to the data.

A Ph.D student in Economics assisted with coding the descriptive occupation information in the Alberta gambling prevalence survey to standard occupational categories and created several analysis files.


Scholarly Articles or Working Papers:

A manuscript draft has been completed titled “The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”.


Scholarly Conference Papers:

“The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”  presented at Oregon State University, Department of Economics seminar.

“The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”, accepted for presentation at the Western Economic Association Pacific Rim Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, April 26-29, 2011, refereed abstract.

“The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”, accepted for presentation at the Western Economic Association Annual Conference, San Diego, California, June 29-July 3, 2011, refereed abstract.

“The Effect of Gambling on Healthcare Utilization and Health: Evidence from Canada”, 3rd Biennial Conference of the American Society of Health Economists, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, June 2010, oral presentation with discussant, refereed abstract.

“The Effect of Gambling on Health: Evidence from Canada”, 8th European Conference on Health Economics, Helsinki, Finland, July 2010 – poster presentation, refereed abstract.

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011

 

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: 07/14/11