title: Gamble While You Gamble: Electronic Games in Ontario Charitable Gaming Centres.
abstract: Electronic Bingo games have recently appeared in Ontario Charitable Gaming Centres. Here we summarize the characteristics of this novel form of electronic gambling, and give a detailed characterization of one game. We contend that these games have structural characteristics that make them similar to modern Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) that feature multiline slots games. These features include a fast and continuous gaming experience, with player adjustable win size and reinforcement rate, a high frequency of losses disguised as wins, and highly salient near misses. Some of these games also have bonus rounds and provide players with a list of recent wins. We conclude that provincial and state gaming authorities should be aware that the placement of Bingo EGMs in existing Bingo facilities may increase problem gambling among an already well-established community of Bingo enthusiasts.
authors.affiliation: Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, ON Canada N2L 3G1.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrigan
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON Canada.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Brandon University, Brandon, MB Canada.
authors.forename: Vance
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: MacLaren
keywords: Bingo; Charitable gaming; Electronic gambling machines; Problem gambling