AUT - Current and Past GARC Projects
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Current and Past GARC Projects
GARC Projects and publications are detailed below:
Current projects
Effectiveness study of problem gambling standard and brief interventions
This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a well developed and documented brief intervention for problem gambling, and extensions of it. It will move evaluation from efficacy testing with volunteers to an assessment of effectiveness with problem gamblers who seek help. A further aim is to describe what 'standard care' actually is and evaluate its effectiveness relative to a defined intervention assessed previously in a well conducted randomised controlled trial.
The Participant Information Sheet for this project is available here.
Funded by: Ministry of Health
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, David Hodgins, Jason Landon, Katie Palmer du Preez
National gambling prevalence and 12-month incidence study
The purpose of this national study (conducted in collaboration with the National Research Bureau) is to increase understanding of the place of gambling in people's lives and its relationship to health and wellbeing. This includes determination of problem gambling incidence and prevalence. It will also assess people's attitudes towards, and knowledge about gambling. The study will enhance knowledge about how individuals' gambling participation changes over time and what factors contribute, including the onset and development of problem gambling.
Funded by: Ministry of Health
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, Rachel Volberg, Alain Vandal, Denise Wilson, Rebecca Coombes, Hannah Thorne, Ken Sutton.
Exploration of the impact of gambling and problem gambling on Pacific families and communities in New Zealand
This research project aims to improve understanding of the impact of gambling on the health and wellbeing of Pacific families and communities. It also aims to inform understanding on risk and resiliency factors in relation to gambling, and to improve understanding on the antecedents and aetiology of problem gambling. The project will support the development of Pacific research capacity in the problem gambling sector.
Funded by: Ministry of Health
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, Janis Patterson, Maria Bellringer, Steve Taylor, Bridget Fa'amatuainu.
Investigation into the effects of gambling game characteristics, PIDs and pop-up technology on gambling and problem gambling behaviour in New Zealand
This research project will investigate the effects of game characteristics, Player Information Displays and pop-up technology on players' gambling and problem gambling behaviour. It also aims to understand the relationships between game characteristics (casino table games and electronic gaming machines).
Funded by: Ministry of Health
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, Jason Landon, Katie Palmer du Preez
Early identification of casino potential problem gamblers
The aim of this research project is to begin development of a set of major indicators that may be predictors of early potential problem gambling behaviour for casino gamblers. It is anticipated that these indicators could be built upon in future research and could be tailored for gambling in other venues such as pubs and clubs. Christchurch casino is a partner in this project.
Funded by: Ministry of Health
Principal researchers: Max Abbott, Maria Bellringer, Rebecca Coombes, Hannah Thorne
Pacific Islands Families Study
The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) has been following a cohort of Pacific children since the year 2000. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine the pathways leading to optimal health, development and social outcomes for Pacific children and their families. The Centre for Pacific Health and Development Research (CPHDR) is leading this project and further details can be found HERE. In 2006 and 2009, significant gambling questions were added to the study, obtained from mothers and fathers in 2006 and mothers and children in 2009. The Ministry of Health funded the substantial gambling element. The final report for the gambling element of the PIF study in 2006 is available HERE. Data are currently being analysed from the Year 9 collection point.
Principal researchers: CPHDR team, Maria Bellringer, Steve Taylor, Zoe Poon.
Gambling and comorbid disorders
This project is being conducted by Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia in collaboration with the Gambling And Addictions Research Centre, AUT. It is being funded by Gambling Research Australia and will address two key research questions: 1) What is the temporal relationship between problem gambling and other co-occurring disorders? and 2) Does the presence of a particular morbid condition or series of comorbidities predict the development or presence of problem gambling?
Evaluation of problem gambling intervention services
This research project was an evaluation of current Ministry of Health funded problem gambling intervention services in New Zealand, with the principal aim to evaluate problem gambling service delivery (including some ethnic-specific services) including process and outcome evaluation. The Stages One and Two final report is available HERE. The Stage Three final report is available HERE.
Formative investigation into the effectiveness of gambling venue exclusion processes in New Zealand
This research project was a pilot investigation into the effectiveness of gambling venue exclusion processes in New Zealand. Under the Gambling Act 2003 operators of casinos and gaming machine venues must issue exclusion orders to self-identified problem gamblers as well as problem gamblers that are identified by personnel at the gambling venue. However, the effectiveness of these measures in reducing gambling harm has not been evaluated. The final report is available HERE.Gamblers at risk and their help-seeking behaviour
This project was conducted by Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia in collaboration with the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, AUT. It was funded by Gambling Research Australia and examined, identified and analysed gambler formal and informal help-seeking behaviour in an Australian context.
Formative investigation of the links between gambling (including problem gambling) and crime in New Zealand
This research project was a joint venture between the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre at Auckland University of Technology and the Centre for Gambling Studies at the University of Auckland. It was a formative study with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the links between problem gambling and crime, in particular unreported and unprosecuted crime and the nature of the resulting harms experienced at an individual, family and community level. The final report for the project is available HERE and a brief summary is available HERE.
Barriers to help-seeking behaviours for problem gamblers and their family/whanau
Most people with gambling problems do not seek specialist help. Most of those who want to change their behaviour prefer to cope with their problems by themselves and/or by accessing self-help materials, family, informal networks or mutual help groups. Of those who seek specialist help many approach health services other than specialist problem gambling counselling providers. The major focus of this study was on the experiences of Maori, Pacific, Asian and European/Pakeha cultural groups, and of different genders, as they related to treatment service relevance and accessibility in New Zealand. The final report for the project is available HERE and a brief summary is available HERE.
Problem Gambling Screening Training in Primary Care Project
The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand and MedTech collaborated with the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre on a project to provide training on problem gambling screening to General Practitioners who are part of the MedTech user group. The aim of the project was to identify problem gamblers within routine medical consultations so that a subsequent referral to a problem gambling treatment provider could be made during the consultation (if required). The Problem Gambling Foundation spearheaded the project which was commissioned by the Ministry of Health.
Gaming and Betting Activities Survey 2006/2007
The National Research Bureau Ltd subcontracted the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre to assist in the development and implementation of a gaming and betting activities survey to benchmark knowledge, attitudes and behaviours at the start of a social marketing programme to prevent and minimise gambling harm. The Health Sponsorship Council developed and is delivering the social marketing programme as part of the work funded by the Ministry of Health. The final survey report is available HERE.
Problem Gambling Assessment and Screening Instruments
Screening/assessment instruments currently utilised by problem gambling service providers in New Zealand have been criticised by the users. This project assessed the screening/assessment instruments currently utilised and ascertained what service providers would find most useful. Recommended screening/assessment instruments for the New Zealand context were trialled in a second phase of the project. The Phase One final report is available HERE; the Phase Two final report is available HERE. A brief summary of the project is available HERE.
Literature search on lotteries products and related information
This literature review assessed existing research regarding lottery products and related information, identifed gaps in the research and developed recommendations for research within the New Zealand context. Its focus included general lottery products, codes of practice and corporate social responsibility guidelines, educational programmes and materials. The final report is available HERE.
Literature Search to Inform Social Marketing Approaches to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm
This literature review aimed to inform the likely effectiveness of social marketing objectives and approaches and behaviour change indicators to prevent and minimise gambling harm. The social marketing campaign website is available here.
Consultancy to the Responsibility in Gambling Trust to review research on aspects of problem gambling
A review of research on aspects of gambling with particular emphasis being given to problem gamblers. The three key elements of the review were:
- The development of, and risk factors for, problem gambling
- The intervention options for the treatment of problem gambling and the effectiveness of these options
- The impact of alternative approaches to public education and awareness raising about the risks of gambling and assessment of these approaches
National Gaming Surveys
Other major past projects have included the New Zealand and Swedish National Gaming Surveys. The Department of Internal Affairs commissioned the New Zealand Gaming Survey. The intent of the research was to inform Government policy on gaming and responses to problem gambling, contribute to local scientific knowledge in the field of gambling studies and provide information relevant to stakeholder and end-user organisations that have an interest in gaming and/or problem gambling. In total, seven reports on gaming were completed. All reports are available on the Department of Internal Affairs website.