All posts tagged: Regulation in Appearance Only

What do children observe and learn from televised sports betting advertisements? A qualitative study among Australian children

This study in The Australian Journal of Public Health explored children’s awareness of sports betting advertising and how this advertising may influence children’s attitudes, product knowledge and desire to try sports betting.

Results: Children recalled in detail sports betting advertisements that they had seen, with humor the most engaging appeal strategy. They were also able to describe other specific appeal strategies and link these strategies to betting brands. Many children described how advertisements demonstrated how someone would place a bet, with some children recalling the detailed technical language associated with betting.

Conclusions: Children had detailed recall of sports betting advertisements and an extensive knowledge of sports betting products and terminology.

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Les BernalWhat do children observe and learn from televised sports betting advertisements? A qualitative study among Australian children
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In System With Little Oversight, Connecticut’s Biggest Lottery Winners Often Pay Huge Price

Lottery players in Connecticut spend millions on tickets every day, most chasing a once-in-a-lifetime dream that never comes. But a handful of big winners show up again and again, seemingly beating astronomical odds to rack up dozens, even hundreds of sizable payouts.

A first-ever analysis of lottery winnings dating back to mid-1998, conducted by The Courant in collaboration with students at the Columbia School of Journalism, found 57 people who have won $1,000 or more at least 50 times. A dozen have won that much at least 100 times.

For those in Connecticut who have beaten the odds an extraordinary number of times, chances are most of them have spent far more on tickets than they have won.

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Les BernalIn System With Little Oversight, Connecticut’s Biggest Lottery Winners Often Pay Huge Price
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Massachusetts slashes problem gambling services funding by 17 percent

When corporate gambling interests and state officials lobbied for government-sanctioned casinos in the state, they told the public that problem gambling services would be fully funded. Just a few years later, the state is slashing problem gambling services funding by almost 20 percent.

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Les BernalMassachusetts slashes problem gambling services funding by 17 percent
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Survey finds just 4% of gambling profits derived from casual gamblers

This study by the Nova Scotia Department of Health found that only 4% of net gambling machine (or so-called “video lottery”) revenue was derived from “casual” players, even though they comprise 75% of players. Meanwhile, 96% of the revenue was derived from under 6% of the population who were classified as “regular gamblers.” About 16% of these regular gamblers were “problem gamblers” and they alone generated 53% of machine revenues even though they make up under 1% of the total population.

Nova Scotia Video Lottery Players’ Survey

CkirbySurvey finds just 4% of gambling profits derived from casual gamblers
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Columbia School of Public Health declares gambling addiction as one of the biggest health issues in America

The Columbia University School of Public Health, one of America’s leading public health programs, published a national investigation into the massive public health impacts of government-sponsored casinos and lotteries. Led by Elaine Meyer, this must-share article spotlights how predatory gambling is harming millions of Americans and the communities they live in.

Columbia School of Health- Gambling with America’s Health

LesColumbia School of Public Health declares gambling addiction as one of the biggest health issues in America
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Newspaper series spotlights predatory and fraudulent business practices of Oregon Lottery

This must-read series from The Oregonian details the business practices of the Oregon Lottery. It represents one of the very best investigative journalism efforts into state lotteries ever done.

2013 Oregon Lottery- Revenues grow on the increase in video slots games

2013 Oregon Lottery- Agency pushes slot machines as problem gamblers pay the price

2013 Oregon Lottery- Games, like tobacco earlier, could face liability lawsuits

2013 Oregon Lottery- Reader stories of state-sponsored addiction (day 1)

LesNewspaper series spotlights predatory and fraudulent business practices of Oregon Lottery
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The Relationship Between State Lotteries and Government Assistance Payments

This paper examines United States lottery revenues and finds an increase in lottery activity during weeks in which transfer payments (i.e. Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Social Security, disability, etc.) are distributed. Revenues from state lotteries are also shown to increase during the week transfer payments are distributed. The timing of the increase in lottery purchases suggests a portion of the transfer payments is used to purchase lottery tickets.

Running the Numbers on Lotteries and the Poor – An Empirical Analysis of Transfer Payment Distribution and Subsequent Lottery Sales

LesThe Relationship Between State Lotteries and Government Assistance Payments
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2 Out of 5 Low-Income Americans Believe the Lottery is the Best Way to Build Wealth

According to the survey of 1,000 Americans by Opinion Research Corporation for the Consumer Federation of America and the Financial Planning Association, 21% of Americans believed that the lottery would be their most effective and practical strategy for accumulating several hundred thousand dollars. This percentage was higher among lower-income individuals, with 38% of those who earn less than $25,000 pointing to the lottery as a solution.

Survey- 21 percent say lottery is most practical path to wealth

Les2 Out of 5 Low-Income Americans Believe the Lottery is the Best Way to Build Wealth
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Study finds strong link between lottery sales and poverty

This detailed study by Cornell University shows that state lotteries get a disproportional amount of sales from the poor and disadvantaged and examines the reasons behind why those who have the least spend the most on the lottery. While it is for many a source of entertainment to play, the study finds that the real reason for this trend is that those stricken with poverty look to the lottery as a way to improve their lives and help them escape their poverty. However, the lottery will often hurt, not help, their financial predicament, further pushing these Americans deeper and deeper into a downward spiral of crippling poverty.

Cornell University study -Entertainment, Poverty and the Demand for State Lotteries

LesStudy finds strong link between lottery sales and poverty
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