Abstract
This paper introduces a special issue of theJournal of Gambling Studies on slot machine gambling, and overviews some current trends concentrating on research and policy issues. It is demonstrated that throughout the world, research findings have linked slot machines with pathological gambling. Indeed slot machines are now the predominant form of gambling activity by pathological gamblers treated in self help groups and professional treatment centres in numerous countries. This paper briefly examines the research on slot machines and pathological gambling and then goes on more specifically to examine four areas. These are (i) slot machine gambling and youth, (ii) slot machines and arcade video game playing, (iii) the possible developmental link between slot machines and video games and (iv) pathological video game playing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Psychiatric Association (1987).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd Edition—Revised). Washington D.C.: Author.
Becona, E. (1994, May–June).Prevalence surveys of problem and pathological gambling in Europe: The cases of Germany, Holland, and Spain. Paper presented to the Ninth International conference on Gambling and Risk Taking. Las Vegas.
Brown, R.I.F., & Robertson, S. (1993). Home computer and video game addictions in relation to adolescent gambling: Conceptual and developmental aspects in W.R. Eadington & J.A. Cornelius (Eds.)Gambling behavior and problem gambling (pp. 451–471). Reno NV: University of Nevada, Reno.
Brown, R.I.F. (1989). Gaming, gambling, risk taking, addictions and a developmental model of man-machine relationships. In J. Klabberg, D. Croowall, H. de Jong & W. Scheper (Eds.),Simulation gaming (p. 368). Oxford: Pergamon.
Christiansen, E.M. (1994). 1993 Gross Annual Wager.Gaming and Wagering Business, 15, 8, 14–44.
Connor, M. (1993). Barrier broken: US slots allowed in Japan.Gaming- and Wagering Business, 14, 6, 1.
Doocey, P. (1994). Slot play in France: Too much success?Gaming and Wagering Business, 15, 3, 1.
Edworthy, J., Loxley, S. & Dennis, I. (1991). Improving auditory warning design: Relationship between warning sound parameters and perceived urgency.Human Factors, 33, 205–231.
Fisher, S.E. (1992). Measuring pathological gambling in children: The case of fruit machines in the U.K.Journal of Gambling Studies 8, 3, 263–285.
Fisher, S.E. (1993). Gambling and pathological gambling in adolescence.Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 3, 277–287.
Fisher, S.E. (1994). Identifying video game addiction in children and adolescents.Addictive Behaviors, 19, 5, 545–553.
Fisher, S.E. (1995a).Gambling in children and adolescents residing in a southwest seaside town. Report for Channel Four News. London.
Fisher, S.E. (1995b). The amusement arcade as a social space for adolescents: an empirical study.Journal of Adolescence, in press.
Geller, R. (1994). Dutch move to restrict gaining machines.Gaming and Wagering Business, 15, 4, 1,4.
Griffiths, M.D. & Hunt, N. (1993, December).The acquisition, development and maintenance of computer game playing in adolescence. Paper presented at the British Psychological Society London Conference, City University.
Griffiths, M.D. (1990). The acquisition, development and maintenance of fruit machine gambling in adolescence.Journal of Gambling Studies, 6, 193–204.
Griffiths, M.D. (1991a). Amusement machine playing in childhood and adolescence: A comparative analysis of video games and fruit machines.Journal of Adolescence, 14, 53–73.
Griffiths, M.D. (1991b). Adolescent fruit machine use: A review of current issues and trends.UK Forum on Young People and Gambling Newletter, 4, 2–3.
Griffiths, M.D. (1993a). Fruit machine gambling: The importance of structural characteristics.Journal of Gambling Studies, 9, 101–120.
Griffiths, M.D. (1993b). Are computer games bad for children?The Psychologist: Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 6, 401–407.
Hand, I. (1992). Editor's introduction to special issues on gambling in Germany.Journal of Gambling Studies, 8, 1, 3–9.
Jacobs, D.F. (1989). Illegal and undocumented: A review of teenage gamblers in America. In H.J. Shaffer, S.A. Stein, B. Gambino, & T.N. Cummings (Eds.).Compulsive gambling: Theory, research and practice, (pp. 249–292). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
Karp, J. (1992). Video bandits: Gambling machines deemed a menace to youth (Taiwan).Far Eastern Economic Review, 155, January 23, 33.
Lesieur, H.R. & Klein, R. (1987). Pathological gambling among high school children.Addictive Behaviors, 12, 129–135.
Shaffer, H.J., LaBrie, R., Scanlon, K.M., & Cummings, T.N. (1993).At risk, problem and pathological gambling among adolescents: Massachusetts Adolescent Gambling Screen (MAGS). Cambridge, MA: Harvard Medical School.
Volberg, R.A. & Steadman, H.J. (1992). Accurately predicting pathological gamblers: Policy and Treatment implications.Journal of Gambling Studies, 8, 4, 401–412.
White, S. (1989). Against the odds.Young People Now, April, 26–27.
Zitzow, D. (1992).Incidence and comparative study of compulsive gambling behaviors between Indians and non-Indians within and near a northern plains reservation. Bemidji, MN: Indian Health Service, Bemidji Area Office.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fisher, S., Griffiths, M. Current trends in slot machine gambling: Research and policy issues. J Gambling Stud 11, 239–247 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104791
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104791