title: EGM Jackpots and Player Behaviour: An In-venue Shadowing Study.
abstract: Although electronic gaming machine (EGM) jackpots are widespread, little research has yet considered the impact of this feature on gamblers' behaviour. We present the results of an in-venue shadowing study, which provided measures of player investment and persistence (e.g. number of spins, time-on-machine) from participants undertaking one or more EGM sessions on their choice of machines. 234 participants (162 female) were recruited in-venue, with half (stratified by age and gender) primed by answering questions encouraging 'big-win' oriented ideation. Primed participants were more likely to select jackpot-oriented EGMs, and primed at-risk [Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) > 4] gamblers tended to select machines with a higher median jackpot prize amount than others ([Formula: see text]). Neither PGSI nor priming was associated with the rate at which participants switched machines. EGM jackpots were associated with great spend overall, and PGSI score was associated with a greater spend per play. Positive interactions were found between jackpots and PGSI, and PGSI and priming in terms of predicting greater persistence. Finally a structural model of session level variables is presented, that incorporates positive feedback between money won and number of plays in an EGM session.
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia. m.browne@cqu.edu.au.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Browne
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Langham
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia.
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Rockloff
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia.
authors: En
authors: E
authors: Li
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Donaldson
authors: Institute for Health and Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, 4670, Australia.
authors: Belinda
authors: B
authors: Goodwin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EGM; Jackpots; PGSI; Play duration; Play habits; Play intensity