APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
POKER MACHINE SURVEY
HELLO!
My name is Sandra
Dekker, and I am a 4th year Bachelor of Social
Work and Social Policy student undertaking my Honours Degree at the
Could you please
fill out the enclosed questionnaire and return it to me in the reply-paid
self-addressed envelope? Because I have to finish my thesis I would very much
appreciate if you could return the completed questionnaire within two weeks.
Participation is of course voluntary.
Your names and
addresses are not required. You will remain anonymous and the information you
give is confidential. The collated results of the survey are put into my
Honours thesis which is not published. It remains in the
I hope the
questionnaire is easy and quick to do. It should take about 10-15 minutes.
If you have any
queries please phone the Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee on 8302
3965, or my research supervisor, Adam Jamrozik, on 8302
4348.
I thank you very
much for your co-operation and time. It is very much appreciated.
APPENDIX B
POKER MACHINE SURVEY
Thank you very much
For filling in the following
survey!!!!
Please tick in the appropriate boxes
- GENDER
Male
Female
- Approximate Age
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74
74+
- HOW OFTEN DO YOU PLAY ON POKER MACHINES?
Never Once a year 2-4 times a month
Once or twice a week
3-6 times per week Daily More Often
4)a DID EITHR
OF YOUR PATENTS GAMBLE?
YES NO
B IF SO, ON WHAT ACTIVITIES DID THEY
GAMBLE?
- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING POKER MACHINES?
Less than 1 month
1-3 months
4-5 months
6-11 months
1-2 years
3-4 years
5 or more years
- SINCE YOU STARTED TO PLAY THE POKER MACHINES, HAVE YOU FOUND THAT
THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU PLAY HAS CHANGED IN ANY OF THE
Over time the number of times I have
played has increased
Over time the number of times I have
played has decreased
I have times where I increase the
number of times I play, and then do not play as much
- HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU USUALLY SPEND PLAYING IN EACH SESSION?
Hours Minutes
- SINCE YOU STARTED TO PLAY THE POKER MACHINES, HAVE YOU FOUND THAT
THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND PLAYING HAS CHANGED IN ANY OF THE
Since I started to play the amount
of time I spend playing has increased
Since I started to play the amount
of time I spend playing has decreased
The amount of time I spend playing
increased but following by a decrease
Since I started to play the amount
of time I spend playing is the same
- DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY OTHER GAMBLING ACTIVITIES (i.e., apart
from poker machines)?
YES If you
ticked YES please go to Question 10
NO If you
ticked NO please go to Question 11
10). ON WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES DO YOU GAMBLE?
Please mark as many boxes as
applicable
Casino games (roulette, cards, dice)
Racing Activities
Sports Betting
Lotteries
Bingo-Scratch Tickets
Keno
Other
(please specify)__________________ _______________
- SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED PLAYING POKER MACHINES HAVE YOU FOUND THAT
THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU SPEND HAS CHANGED IN ANY OF THE
The amount of
money I spend has increased over time
The amount of
money I spend has decreased over time
The amount of
money I spend has depended on how much I can spare
The amount of
money I spend has followed a pattern of increase, then decrease
The amount of
money has stayed the same
12). APART FROM LOTTERIES AND/OR SCRATCHIES HAVE
YOU EVER GAMBLED BEFORE PLAYING THE POKIES?
YES
NO
OCCASIONALLY
Only on the
Only at work in an organised group
13). HOW WERE YOU FIRST INTRODUCED TO THE POKER
MACHINES?
Advertising
Radio
Television
Friends
Patronising a Hotel
Attending the Casino
Other
(please specify)_______________________________________
14). HAVE YOU FREQUENTED HOTELS BEFORE YOU
STARTED PLAYING THE POKIES?
Never
Hardly ever
Occasionally
Often
Regularly
15). WHY DID YOU FIRST START TO PLAY THE POKIES?
(If more than one reason please
number in order of importance)
To win money
For enjoyment
For excitement
Curiosity
To try your luck
To test your skills
Boredom
Loneliness
To socialise with others
Other
(please specify)_________ __________________
16). WHY DO YOU PLAY NOW?
(If more than one reason please
number in order of importance)
To win money
For enjoyment
For excitement
To try your luck
To test your skills
Boredom
Loneliness
To socialise with others
Other
(please specify)______ _________ ____________
17). DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR
REASONS FOR PLAYING THE POKER MACHINES HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED
PLAYING?
YES (please go to part b)
NO
b. COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THE
CHANGES ARE?
18). WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT PLAYING THE POKER
MACHINES?
19)a ARE THERE SOME
MACHINES YOU PERFER TO PLAY MORE THAN
OTHERS?
YES
NO
B IF YES, CAN YOU NAME SOME OF THE
MACHINES IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE?
20)A DO YOU HAVE A
FAVOURITE MACHINE?
YES
NO
B IF SO, WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE MACHINE
THAT YOU LIKE?
(please
tick as many as applicable)
The name
The colour
It pays out more wins
You are familiar with the game
You like the pictures and symbols
You like the particular flashing
coloured lights
You like the particular sound
You think the machine is lucky
You understand the payout table
Other(please
specify)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHICH OF THE ABOVE FACTORS WOULD YOU
RATE AS MOST IMPORTANT?
21)A WHICH OF THE
FOLLOWING PROMOTIONS AND DEALS ARE YOU AWARE OF?
(please
tick as many as applicable)
B HAVE YOU UTILISED ANY OF THESE
PROMOTIONS WHEN PLAYING THE POKER MACHINES?
(please
tick as many as applicable)
A B
Cheap meals
Free tokens
Lucky Tickets
Extra Prizes
Raffles
Club Games – eg Goldrush,
Jackpot
Gaming Room Specials – eg $8
includes
Meal, pokie
money, drink and mystery
Draws.
C HOW IMPORTANT ARE
THESE PROMOTIONS AND DEALS IN DETERMINING WHETHR OR NOT YOU PLAY THE POKER
MACHINES?
Not important
Fairly important
Important
Very Important
The main reason I play
D DO YOU EVER STAY PLAYING THE POKER
MACHINES IN ORDER TO WIN THE EXTRA PRIZES ETC.?
Never
Sometimes
Often
Usually
Always
22). WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE POKER MACHINE
VENUE THAT YOU FREQUENT THE MOST?
Could you please number in order of
preference?
The décor
The atmosphere
The ‘casino’ like
appearance
It is the closest
The friendly staff
They have the best prizes
The other patrons
Other
(please specify)_______________________________
23). WHEN YOU PLAY THE POKER MACHINES DO YOU
EXPECT TO WIN MONEY?
YES
NO
24). IS IT POSSIBLE TO WIN OVERALL FROM POKER
MACHINES?
YES
NO
25). WHEN YOU GAMBLE DO YOU GO BACK ANOTHER TIME
TO REGAIN YOUR LOSSES?
YES
NO
SOMETIMES
26). WHEN YOU LOSE DO YOU INCREASE YOUR BETS TO
WIN MONEY BACK?
YES
NO
SOMETIMES
27). COULD YOU PLEASE TICK ONE OR MORE OF THE
FOLLOWING?
I see playing the poker machine
playing as –
A leisure activity
A sporting activity
Fun
A way to make money
Gambling
A game
28). HAVE YOU AT ANY STAGE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO
ONLY TAKE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY WITH YOU WHEN GOING TO PLAY THE POKIES?
YES
NO
29). HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF AT ANY STAGE
PRUPOSEFULLY LEAVING YOUR CREDIT CARDS AT HOME WHEN GOING TO PLAY THE ‘POKIES’?
YES
NO
30). HAVE YOU EVER USED THE ‘EFTPOS’ MACHINE AT
THE VENUE TO WITHDRAW MONEY TO PLAY THE ‘POKIES’?
YES
NO
31). HAVE YOU AT ANY STAGE FOUND THAT YOU SPENT
MORE MONEY ON THE POKER MACHINES THAN YOU INTENDED?
YES
NO
32). DO YOU FIND THAT YOU LOSE TRACK OF TIME
WHEN PLAYING THE ‘POKIES’?
Never
Sometimes
Often
Always
33). DO YOU FEEL AS IF YOU NEARLY WIN?
Never
Sometimes
Often
Usually
Always
THANK YOU
APPENDIX
C
RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE
SURVEY STUDY
- DEMOGRAPHICS AND GENERAL GAMBLING
BACKGROUND
Gender
of Respondents (n=61)
61
people responded to the survey. There were 31 (50%) males and 29 (49%) females,
and one missing gender data which has been included in
the analysis.
Table 1(a) – Age Groups (n=61)
|
Age Groups |
|
|
18-24 |
2 (3%) |
|
25-34 |
5 (8%) |
|
35-44 |
12 (20%) |
|
45-54 |
14 (23%) |
|
55-64 |
13 (21%) |
|
64-74 |
11 (18%) |
|
75+ |
4 (7%) |
There
was no significant association between gender and age.
82%
of respondents were between the ages of 35-74, half of whom were at the higher
end of the age range (Range 55-74), reflecting the demographics of the suburbs
surrounding the hotel.
Table 1(b) – Frequency of Play
|
VARIABLE Q3. How often do you gamble on poker machines? |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
|
Occasional |
30 (49%) |
13 (42%) |
16 (55%) |
|
Involved |
30 (49%) |
17 (55%) |
13 (45%) |
Note: Where figures do not sum to 100% there is missing data.
Note: Operational definition of involved gambling is participation once
a week or more, and occasional is less that once a week (Dickerson, 1984;
Walker, 1995).
There
were 30 involved gamblers and 30 occasional gamblers, and one missing data
which has been included in the analysis.
There
was no association between gambling frequency and gender.
Table 1© - Parental involvement in gambling
|
VARIABLE Q4(a). Did either of your parents gamble? |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
Group Occasional (n=30) |
Group Involved (n=30) |
|
YES |
33 (54%) |
19 (61%) |
14 (48%) |
13 (42%) |
20 (66%) |
|
NO |
27 (44%) |
12 (38%) |
15 (51%) |
17 (58%) |
10 (34%) |
Note: Where figures do not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There
were no significant differences between gender.
Q4(b) On what activities did parents gamble? (n=33).
14
(42%) of those who answered yes to Q4(a) parents’
gambled on one activity.
16
(48%) respondents’ parents gambled on multiple activities.
Table 1(d) – Gambling Activities of Parents
|
Horse racing |
24 |
|
Poker Machines |
9 |
|
Lotto |
8 |
|
Dog Racing |
4 |
|
Cards |
4 |
Horse
racing represents the most popular form of gambling by parents.
Table 1(e) – History of poker machine playing
|
VARIABLE Q5. How long have you been playing poker machines? |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
Group Occasional (n=30) |
Group Involved (n=30) |
|
4-5 months or less |
2 (3%) |
0 |
2 (7%) |
1 (3%) |
1 (3%) |
|
6-11 months |
4 (6%) |
2 (6%) |
2 (7%) |
2 (6%) |
2 (6%) |
|
1-2 years |
23 (38%) |
11 (35%) |
12 (41%) |
10 (33%) |
13 (43%) |
|
3-4 years |
10 (16%) |
5 (16%) |
4 (14%) |
5 (17%) |
5 (17%) |
|
5+ years |
18 (30%) |
11 (35%) |
7 (24%) |
9 (30%) |
8 (27%) |
Note: Where figures do not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There
were no significant group or gender differences.
51
(84%) respondents have played for 1 to 5 years or more.
Question (7). Time Spent in
Sessions of Play
The
mean average was 60.8 minutes. The range was 10 minutes to 3 hours.
There
were no significant gender differences.
Table (1f) – Other gambling activities
|
VARIABLE Q9. Do you participate in any other gambling activities? |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
Group Occasional (n=30) |
Group Involved (n=30) |
|
YES |
41 (67%) |
26 (84%) |
15 (52%) |
19 (63%) |
21 (70%) |
|
NO |
18 (30%) |
4 (13%) |
13 (44%) |
9 (30%) |
9 (30%) |
|
Q10. Other gambling activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Casino |
8 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
Racing |
17 |
13 |
4 |
|
|
|
Sports |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
Lotteries |
35 |
19 |
16 |
|
|
|
Bingo |
14 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
|
Keno |
19 |
8 |
11 |
|
|
|
Other |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
Note: Where figures do not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There
were no significant differences found between occasional and involved gamblers
in their participation in other gambling activities. However, men were
significantly more likely to participate in other gambling activities than
women.
Racing
is the gambling activity men participate in significantly more than women.
Table 1(g) – Introduction to Poker Machines
|
VARIABLE Q(13). Introduction to pokies (Respondents could tick more than one) |
Overall (n=61) |
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisements |
2 (3%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Radio |
1 (1%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Television |
1 (1%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Friends |
11 (16%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Patronising a hotel |
25 (41%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Attending the casino |
12 (19%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
11 (18%) |
|
|
|
|
|
Q(14). Previous patronising of hotels. |
(n=61) |
Men (n=31) |
Women (n=29) |
Occasional (n=30) |
Involved (n=30) |
|
NEVER |
5 (8%) |
2 (6%) |
3 (10%) |
2 (6%) |
3 (10%) |
|
HARDLY EVER |
10 (16%) |
3 (10%) |
7 (24%) |
6 (20%) |
4 (13%) |
|
OCCASIONALLY |
23 (38%) |
10 (32%) |
13 (45%) |
12 (40%) |
11 (37%) |
|
OFTEN |
7 (11%) |
6 (19%) |
1 (3%) |
2 (6%) |
5 (16%) |
|
REGULARLY |
14 (23%) |
9 (29%) |
5 (17%) |
7 (23%) |
7 (23 |
Note: Where figures do not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There
were no significant gender or group differences in either Q(13)
or Q(14).
Results
from Q(13) show that people are more likely to be
introduced to poker machine playing by
Patronising
a hotel (41%), next the casino (19%), and then by friends (18%).
Before
poker machine playing 62% had rarely patronised a hotel. 34% were regular
patrons.
Nine
of the respondents in the category ‘other’ were introduced to poker machines
through
Interstate
visits to
- MOTIVATION FOR PLAYING
Table 2a). – Motivation for Playing
|
Q(15). Why did you start playing the
pokies? Q(16). Why do you play now? |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
Group Occasional (n=30) |
Group Involved (n=30) |
|
To win money |
23 (38%) |
12 |
11 |
12 |
11 |
|
For enjoyment |
28 (46%) |
14 |
14 |
13 |
15 |
|
For excitement |
4 (6%) |
3 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Curiosity |
13 (21%) |
8 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Try your luck |
29 (48%) |
16 |
13 |
13 |
16 |
|
Test your skills |
2 (3%) |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Boredom |
4 (6%) |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Loneliness |
5 (8%) |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
To socialise |
6 (10%) |
4 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
There
were no significant gender or group differences.
Trying
their luck was the main motivation for playing the pokies (48%).
Next
was for enjoyment (46%), and then to win money (38%).
Q(16) Reasons for playing had not changed significantly since starting
play till time of the survey except curiosity had been satisfied.
- PROMOTIONS, MARKETING, VENUE
Table 3(a) –
Promotions in venue
|
VARIABLE Q(21) a & b. Which of the following promotions and deals are you aware of and use? Please tick as many as applicable. |
Overall (n=61) Aware |
Used |
|
Cheap meals |
47 |
25 |
|
Free tokens |
23 |
16 |
|
Lucky tickets |
25 |
19 |
|
Extra prizes |
23 |
18 |
|
Raffles |
28 |
19 |
|
Club games |
20 |
10 |
|
Gaming room specials |
35 |
17 |
There were no significant differences
between gender and group awareness of incentives and promotions. Cheap meals,
for the respondents were the most noticed. Utility of the promotions was 68%.
Table 3(b) – Importance of promotions
|
VARIABLE Q(21)c. How important are these promotions and deals in determining whether or not you play the poker machines? |
Overall
(n=61) |
|
Not important |
47 (77%) |
|
Fairly important |
7 (11%) |
|
Important |
4 (6%) |
|
Very important |
0 |
|
Main reason I play |
1 |
Note: Where figures do
not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There were no significant
differences between gender or groups.
For the majority of players
it appears that promotions are not important.
Table (c) - Playing in order to win prizes
|
VARIABLE Q21(d). Do you ever stay playing the poker machines in order to win the extra prizes etc? |
Overall
(n=61) |
Gender
Men
(n=31) |
Gender
Women
(n=29) |
Group
Occasional
(n=30) |
Group
Involved
(n=30) |
|
Never |
35 (57%) |
19 (61%) |
16 (55%) |
18 (60%) |
17 (57%) |
|
Sometimes |
21 (34%) |
9 (29%) |
12 (34%) |
8 (27%) |
13 (43%) |
|
Often |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Usually |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Always |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Note: Where the figures do
not sum to 100% there is missing data.
There were no significant
differences between groups or genders, although involved players are slightly
more likely to play the machines in order to win the extra prizes etc.
57% of players never stay
playing the machines in order to win extra prizes, while 34% do sometimes.
Table 3(d) – Attraction of venue
|
VARIABLE Q(22). What do you like about the poker machine venue that you frequent the most? |
Overall
(n=61) |
Gender
Men
(n=31) |
Gender
Women
(n=29) |
Group
Occasional
(n=30) |
Group
Involved
(n=30) |
|
Décor |
7 (11%) |
6 (19%) |
1 (3%) |
4 (13%) |
3 (10%) |
|
Atmosphere |
17 (28%) |
8 (26%) |
9 (31%) |
5 (17%) |
12 (40%) |
|
Casino like appearance |
1 (1%) |
0 |
1 (3%) |
1 (3%) |
0 |
|
Closest |
32 (52%) |
17 (55%) |
15 (52%) |
17 (57%) |
15 (50%) |
|
Friendly staff |
29 (48%) |
15 (48%) |
14 (48%) |
9 (40%) |
20 (67%) |
|
Best prizes |
5 (8%) |
3 (10%) |
2 (6%) |
1 (3%) |
4 (13%) |
|
Other patrons |
5 (8%) |
1 (3%) |
4 (14%) |
4 (13%) |
1 (3%) |
|
Other |
9 (14%) |
0 |
9 (31%) |
0 |
9 (30%) |
Note: Respondents could
tick as many as applicable.
The friendly staff has a greater role to play in involved gamblers liking
a certain venue, than for occasional players. Both involved gamblers and
occasional gamblers like the particular venue because it is the closest. The
next choice was the atmosphere of the venue.
Table 3(e) – Vision of poker machine playing
|
VARIABLE Q(27). I see poker machine playing as ……. |
Overall (n=61) |
Gender Men (n=31) |
Gender Women (n=29) |
Group Occasional (n=30) |
Group Involved (n=30)
|
|
Leisure activity |
34 (56%) |
17 (55%) |
17 (59%) |
19 (63%) |
15 (50%) |
|
Sporting activity |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fun |
33 (54%) |
17 (55%) |
16 (55%) |
14 (47%) |
19 (63%) |
|
A way to make money |
4 (6%) |
2 (6%) |
2 (7%) |
1 (3%) |
3 (10%) |
|
Gambling |
20 (33%) |
12 (39%) |
8 (28%) |
11 (37%) |
9 (30%) |
|
A game |
21 (34%) |
9 (29%) |
12 (41%) |
10 (33%) |
11 (37%) |
Note: Respondents could
tick as many as applicable.
There were no significant
differences between group or gender.
Poker machine playing was
significantly viewed as a leisure activity and as fun. Poker machine playing was
equally viewed as gaming and gambling. Playing was minimally viewed as a way to
make money.
CHAPTER 1: THE SCAPE-GOATED
CHAPTER 2: FROM A SIN, TO A VICE, TO A DISEASE, TO A SOCIAL VIRTUE
CHAPTER 3: TWO TYPOLOGIES OF GAMBLERS? A LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER 4: POKER MACHINES– THE LETHAL MONEY STRIPPERS
CHAPTER 5: THE SCAPE-GOATED
CHAPTER 6: THE FIELD OBSERVATION
CHAPTER 7: QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION
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