Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Gambling Studies 2/2013

01.06.2013 | Original Paper

The Correlations of Work Conditions with Unhealthy Lifestyles and Occupational Health Problems of Casino Croupiers in Macau

verfasst von: Sydney X. Hu, Andrew Luk, Carmen Leong, Cecilia U, Florence Van

Erschienen in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Ausgabe 2/2013

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

The Macau economy and employment of residents rely heavily on the gaming industry. It is important that the working conditions in casinos are not harmful to the health of the casino employees. This study examines the correlations between work conditions, unhealthy lifestyles and occupational health problems amongst casino croupiers in Macau. Its findings will provide casino managers and policy makers with evidence and awareness of the workplace health risks for the casino workers. The data were gathered by a questionnaire survey of 1,042 croupiers, which represents roughly 5 % of the croupier population in Macau. Work conditions were measured by worker satisfaction towards the biological, chemical and physical elements in their work environments. Unhealthy lifestyles were measured by practices of excessive drinking, smoking, electronic game playing and addictive substance use as well as gambling. Occupational health problems were measured by experiences of work related illnesses or symptoms. Results showed that high percentages of respondents were dissatisfied with the work conditions. On average each croupier experienced 10 work related health problems in the past 7 days. Over 5 % of the respondents drank more than three glasses of alcohol a day, 24 % smoked cigarettes, 12 % took addictive substances, 14 % gambled in the past 7 days. The analysis showed that dissatisfaction with work conditions did not correlate with unhealthy lifestyles but were strongly and significantly correlated with stress-related occupational health problems (R = 0.377–0.479, P < 0.001) and other occupational health problems (R = 0.348–0.461, P < 0.001). Casino workers in Macau experience a variety of problems associated with their work conditions that can be hazardous to their health. The working conditions in casinos need to be regularly monitored and improvements such as occupational health training and enhanced health related policies can be introduced.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat GMB Scotland. (2006). 3rd GMB scotland report on casino workers health and safety. GMB Scotland. GMB Scotland. (2006). 3rd GMB scotland report on casino workers health and safety. GMB Scotland.
Zurück zum Zitat American Medical Association. (2007). Emotional and behavioral effects of video games and internet over use. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association. American Medical Association. (2007). Emotional and behavioral effects of video games and internet over use. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association.
Zurück zum Zitat Battaglia, E. (2009). Substance abuse—An occupational hazard? Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Magazine, September 4, 2009. Battaglia, E. (2009). Substance abuse—An occupational hazard? Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Magazine, September 4, 2009.
Zurück zum Zitat Berman, M., & Post, C. (2007). Second hand smoke and casinos. In T. C. L. Consortium (Ed.). Research finding: Macau employees are confident about employment in the coming five years (July 10, 2007). Macau China News. Berman, M., & Post, C. (2007). Second hand smoke and casinos. In T. C. L. Consortium (Ed.). Research finding: Macau employees are confident about employment in the coming five years (July 10, 2007). Macau China News.
Zurück zum Zitat Bi, Y. G. (2007). Research finding: Macau employees are confident about employment in the coming five years. Macau: Macau China News. Bi, Y. G. (2007). Research finding: Macau employees are confident about employment in the coming five years. Macau: Macau China News.
Zurück zum Zitat Bureau of Statistics and Census. (2011). Yearbook of statistics 2010. Macau: Bureau of Statistics and Census, Macao Special Administrative Region. Bureau of Statistics and Census. (2011). Yearbook of statistics 2010. Macau: Bureau of Statistics and Census, Macao Special Administrative Region.
Zurück zum Zitat Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Alcohol and public health. Four major casinos, worst air quality in starworld. (2007, November 11, 2001). Apple Daily. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Alcohol and public health. Four major casinos, worst air quality in starworld. (2007, November 11, 2001). Apple Daily.
Zurück zum Zitat Choi, Y. G. (2007). Four major casinos, worst air quality in Starworld. Apple Daily, Hong Kong. Choi, Y. G. (2007). Four major casinos, worst air quality in Starworld. Apple Daily, Hong Kong.
Zurück zum Zitat Drug abuse in the gaming industry. (2009, 02 Sep). Indian Country Today, p. 19. Drug abuse in the gaming industry. (2009, 02 Sep). Indian Country Today, p. 19.
Zurück zum Zitat European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2005). Priorities for occupational safety and health research in the EU-25. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. (2005). Priorities for occupational safety and health research in the EU-25.
Zurück zum Zitat Fletcher, J. M., Sindelar, J. L., & Yamaguchi, S. (2011). Cumulative effects of job characteristics on health. Health Economics, 20(5), 553–570.PubMedCrossRef Fletcher, J. M., Sindelar, J. L., & Yamaguchi, S. (2011). Cumulative effects of job characteristics on health. Health Economics, 20(5), 553–570.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Fong, D. K. C., & Ozorio, B. (2005). Gambling participation and prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in a far-east gambling City: Macao. UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal, 9(2), 15–28. Fong, D. K. C., & Ozorio, B. (2005). Gambling participation and prevalence estimates of pathological gambling in a far-east gambling City: Macao. UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal, 9(2), 15–28.
Zurück zum Zitat Gu, K., Maia Trindade, D., Cheng, B. S., & Sou, B. (2008). Macao health survey 2006. Macau: Health Bureau Government of Macao Special Administrative Region. Gu, K., Maia Trindade, D., Cheng, B. S., & Sou, B. (2008). Macao health survey 2006. Macau: Health Bureau Government of Macao Special Administrative Region.
Zurück zum Zitat Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008). Risk and protective factors relating to gambling by employees of gaming venues. International Gambling Studies, 8(1), 1–23.CrossRef Hing, N., & Breen, H. (2008). Risk and protective factors relating to gambling by employees of gaming venues. International Gambling Studies, 8(1), 1–23.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hing, N., & Gainsbury, S. (2011). Risky business: Gambling problems among gaming venue employees in Queensland. Australia Journal of Gambling Issues, 25, 4–24.CrossRef Hing, N., & Gainsbury, S. (2011). Risky business: Gambling problems among gaming venue employees in Queensland. Australia Journal of Gambling Issues, 25, 4–24.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Keith, M. M., Cann, B., Brophy, J. T., Hellyer, D., Day, M., Egan, S., et al. (2001). Identifying and prioritizing gaming workers’ health and safety concerns using mapping for data collection. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 39(1), 42–51.PubMedCrossRef Keith, M. M., Cann, B., Brophy, J. T., Hellyer, D., Day, M., Egan, S., et al. (2001). Identifying and prioritizing gaming workers’ health and safety concerns using mapping for data collection. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 39(1), 42–51.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lee, T. K., LaBrie, R. A., Rhee, H. S., & Shaffer, H. J. (2008). A study of South Korean casino employees and gambling problems. Occupational Medicine, 58, 191–197.PubMedCrossRef Lee, T. K., LaBrie, R. A., Rhee, H. S., & Shaffer, H. J. (2008). A study of South Korean casino employees and gambling problems. Occupational Medicine, 58, 191–197.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Leong, S. M., Van, Y. K., & Lei, W. I. (2006). Health condition of kindergarten and primary school teachers in Macau. Macau Journal of Nursing, 5(1), 11–17. Leong, S. M., Van, Y. K., & Lei, W. I. (2006). Health condition of kindergarten and primary school teachers in Macau. Macau Journal of Nursing, 5(1), 11–17.
Zurück zum Zitat Luime, J., Koes, B., Hendriksen, I., Burdorf, A., Verhagen, A., Miedema, H., et al. (2004). Prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain in the general population; a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 33(2), 73–81.PubMedCrossRef Luime, J., Koes, B., Hendriksen, I., Burdorf, A., Verhagen, A., Miedema, H., et al. (2004). Prevalence and incidence of shoulder pain in the general population; a systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 33(2), 73–81.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Macau Worker’s Union. (2010). A study of stress facing casino workers in Macau. Macau: Author. Macau Worker’s Union. (2010). A study of stress facing casino workers in Macau. Macau: Author.
Zurück zum Zitat NIOSH. (2009). Environmental and biological assessment of environmental tobacco smoke exposure among casino dealers. In C. W. Achutan, C. Mueller, C. Boudreau, & Y. Mead (Eds.), Health hazard evaluation report. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centrers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH. (2009). Environmental and biological assessment of environmental tobacco smoke exposure among casino dealers. In C. W. Achutan, C. Mueller, C. Boudreau, & Y. Mead (Eds.), Health hazard evaluation report. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centrers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Zurück zum Zitat Office on Smoking and Health. (2006). The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: A report of the surgeon general. Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Smoking and Health. (2006). The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: A report of the surgeon general. Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services.
Zurück zum Zitat Ricci, J., Chee, E., Lorandeau, A., & Berger, J. (2007). Fatigue in the US workforce: prevalence and implications for lost productive work time. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 49(1), 1–10.PubMedCrossRef Ricci, J., Chee, E., Lorandeau, A., & Berger, J. (2007). Fatigue in the US workforce: prevalence and implications for lost productive work time. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 49(1), 1–10.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Shaffer, H. J., Bilt, J. V., & Hall, M. N. (1999). Gambling, drinking, smoking and other health risk activities among casino employees. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 36(3), 365–378.PubMedCrossRef Shaffer, H. J., Bilt, J. V., & Hall, M. N. (1999). Gambling, drinking, smoking and other health risk activities among casino employees. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 36(3), 365–378.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stayner, L., Bena, J., Sasco, A., Smith, R., Steenland, K., Kreuzer, M., et al. (2007). Lung cancer risk and workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 545–551.PubMedCrossRef Stayner, L., Bena, J., Sasco, A., Smith, R., Steenland, K., Kreuzer, M., et al. (2007). Lung cancer risk and workplace exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 545–551.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Trout, D., Decker, J., Mueller, C., John, T., & Pirkle, J. (1998). Exposure of casino employees to environmental tobacco smoke. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 40(3), 270–276.PubMedCrossRef Trout, D., Decker, J., Mueller, C., John, T., & Pirkle, J. (1998). Exposure of casino employees to environmental tobacco smoke. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 40(3), 270–276.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat UNI Gaming Global Union. (2004). Scottish casino workers gamble with their health. Nyon, Switzerland: UNI Global Union. UNI Gaming Global Union. (2004). Scottish casino workers gamble with their health. Nyon, Switzerland: UNI Global Union.
Zurück zum Zitat Wakefield, M., Cameron, M., Inglis, G., Letcher, T., & Durkin, S. (2005). Secondhand smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms among casino, club and office workers in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 47(7), 698–703.PubMedCrossRef Wakefield, M., Cameron, M., Inglis, G., Letcher, T., & Durkin, S. (2005). Secondhand smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms among casino, club and office workers in Victoria, Australia. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 47(7), 698–703.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wan, Y. K. P., & Pilkington, P. (2009). Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of Macao’s casino workers with regard to second-hand smoke exposure at work. International Gambling Studies, 9(3), 207–224.CrossRef Wan, Y. K. P., & Pilkington, P. (2009). Knowledge, attitudes and experiences of Macao’s casino workers with regard to second-hand smoke exposure at work. International Gambling Studies, 9(3), 207–224.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Wu, A. M. S., & Wong, E. M. W. (2008). Disordered gambling among Chinese casino employees. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(2), 207–217.PubMedCrossRef Wu, A. M. S., & Wong, E. M. W. (2008). Disordered gambling among Chinese casino employees. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24(2), 207–217.PubMedCrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
The Correlations of Work Conditions with Unhealthy Lifestyles and Occupational Health Problems of Casino Croupiers in Macau
verfasst von
Sydney X. Hu
Andrew Luk
Carmen Leong
Cecilia U
Florence Van
Publikationsdatum
01.06.2013
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Journal of Gambling Studies / Ausgabe 2/2013
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-012-9301-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 2/2013

Journal of Gambling Studies 2/2013 Zur Ausgabe