Halifax, N.S. – The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation (NSGF) has released the first phase report of a multi-phase study concerning the My-Play System, Nova Scotia’s new card-based player system for video lottery terminals (VLTs) that is intended to help VLT players manage and monitor their gambling.
The report, by Focal Research Consultants Ltd., provides valuable insight into regular VLT playing patterns and differences between low- and high-risk play.
“Preliminary results suggest that high-risk and problem VLT gamblers may benefit more from the My-Play System and its features than no- and low-risk players will,” says Dr. Kerry Chambers, NSGF Public Issues and Stakeholder Relations Coordinator.
Problem gamblers and high-risk players reported the greatest intent to use the five features of the My-Play System card: historical information about their play activity, in-progress play activity information, ability to stop play immediately, ability to set a spending limit, and ability to set a time limit.
The report also shows that gamblers who did not intend to use the My-Play System card reported a lack of understanding of how the program works and privacy concerns as primary barriers to use.
The study’s second phase will compare results of a follow-up survey to the first phase report, in order to evaluate any changes in VLT players’ gambling attitudes and behaviours associated with the use of the My-Play System.
The purpose of the multi-phase study is to evaluate how use of the My-Play System impacts the key factors associated with gambling risk and harm from VLTs. It also examines how the system benefits high-risk and problem VLT gamblers in Nova Scotia.
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The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation is a not-for-profit, arms-length government organization that encourages and supports an independent response to problem gambling in Nova Scotia. This is accomplished, in part, through funding to community groups and researchers to help address problem gambling. The NSGF website is www.nsgamingfoundation.org.
Jen Wheatley, Communications & Events Coordinator
Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation
Toll Free: 1.866.424.0963 or 1.902.424.0963
jennifer.wheatley@gov.ns.ca
