Geographic Information Systems and Applications in Gaming Industry Matthew Pulis MSc. Informatics Student – CIS / GIS Dept.

What is a GIS? A combination of “ hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information ” (ESRI, 2007) . When compared to maps, GIS has the advantage that data presentation and storage are separate (Bernhardsen, 2002) . Such an IS can be used for resource management, environment impacts assessment, geography planning to name a few.

A combination of “ hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information ” (ESRI, 2007) .

When compared to maps, GIS has the advantage that data presentation and storage are separate (Bernhardsen, 2002) .

Such an IS can be used for resource management, environment impacts assessment, geography planning to name a few.

Uses where a GIS can be used by the LGA The use of a GIS-based approach to investigate the spatial characteristics of gaming venue catchments (Doran et. al, 2007) . A possible query would be: Provide me with a view of the hot areas for gambling in Malta. (Land Based) Another query can be: Locate the clients of the gaming operators and group by country. (Remote Based) Another related query: Provide information regarding the origin of the Gaming Operators (Registered Office). This can be useful to find the (possible) target markets for the LGA. (Remote Based)

The use of a GIS-based approach to investigate the spatial characteristics of gaming venue catchments (Doran et. al, 2007) .

A possible query would be: Provide me with a view of the hot areas for gambling in Malta. (Land Based)

Another query can be: Locate the clients of the gaming operators and group by country. (Remote Based)

Another related query: Provide information regarding the origin of the Gaming Operators (Registered Office). This can be useful to find the (possible) target markets for the LGA. (Remote Based)

Uses where a GIS can be used by the LGA Study behaviour gambling opportunities . This approach can measure neighbourhood access to a gambling outlet (Rush, 2007) . A possible query would be: Is it possible to issue a licence for this outlet? Is this outlet far enough from schools? (Land Based) Another query can be: From which areas are the local gamblers originating? (Land / Remote Based) Results can be used in order to prevent problem gambling (Williams et al, 2008) .

Study behaviour gambling opportunities . This approach can measure neighbourhood access to a gambling outlet (Rush, 2007) .

A possible query would be: Is it possible to issue a licence for this outlet? Is this outlet far enough from schools? (Land Based)

Another query can be: From which areas are the local gamblers originating? (Land / Remote Based)

Results can be used in order to prevent problem gambling (Williams et al, 2008) .

Uses where a GIS can be used by the LGA Mapping wagered money against spatial location can give patterns showing areas from where the heavier gamblers originate (GamblingAndRacing, 2005) A possible query would be: Provide the highest average wagered money against areas in Europe (Remote Based) Monitoring and study the social and economic impacts of gaming (McMillen et. al, 2006)

Mapping wagered money against spatial location can give patterns showing areas from where the heavier gamblers originate (GamblingAndRacing, 2005)

A possible query would be: Provide the highest average wagered money against areas in Europe (Remote Based)

Monitoring and study the social and economic impacts of gaming (McMillen et. al, 2006)

Uses where a GIS can be used by the LGA Help barred customers by not allowing connection to gaming operators within same geo-location (Amaitis et. Al,) A possible query would be: If user has requested to be barred to connect only to one remote gaming website using mobile media: Check the current location from where he initiates connection and if it is in the same area of the previous transaction on another website issue a barring status. Location can easily be gained via Cell-ID Monitoring and study the social and economic impacts of gaming (McMillen et. al, 2006)

Help barred customers by not allowing connection to gaming operators within same geo-location (Amaitis et. Al,)

A possible query would be: If user has requested to be barred to connect only to one remote gaming website using mobile media:

Check the current location from where he initiates connection and if it is in the same area of the previous transaction on another website issue a barring status. Location can easily be gained via Cell-ID

Monitoring and study the social and economic impacts of gaming (McMillen et. al, 2006)

Statistics not possible without a GIS Compared with those living in the quartile of neighbourhoods with the furthest access to a gambling venue, residents living in the quartile of neighbourhoods with the closest access were more likely (adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status at the individual-level and deprivation, urban/rural status at the neighbourhood-level) to be a gambler (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.15) or problem gambler (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.03 to 7.05) . When examined independently, neighbourhood access to venues with non-casino gaming machines ( gambling : OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.18; problem gambling : OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.45 to 5.07) and sports betting venues ( gambling : OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.18; problem gambling : OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.45 to 5.07 ) were similarly related . Pearce et al. (2007)

Compared with those living in the quartile of neighbourhoods with the furthest access to a gambling venue, residents living in the quartile of neighbourhoods with the closest access were more likely (adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic status at the individual-level and deprivation, urban/rural status at the neighbourhood-level) to be a gambler (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.15) or problem gambler (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.03 to 7.05) .

When examined independently, neighbourhood access to venues with non-casino gaming machines ( gambling : OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.18; problem gambling : OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.45 to 5.07) and sports betting venues ( gambling : OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.18; problem gambling : OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.45 to 5.07 ) were similarly related .

References Bernhardsen, T; Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction. Canada: John Wiley and Sons (2002) ESRI.. What is GIS? Retrieved May 2009, from gis.com: http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html (2007) Bruce J Doran, David C Marshall, Jan McMillen; A GIS-based Investigation of Gaming Venue Catchments, Transactions in GIS (2007) Brian Rush, Scott Veldhuizen, Edward Adlaf; Mapping the prevalence of problem gambling and its association with treatment accessibility and proximity to gambling venues (2007) Gambling and Racing Commision; Annual Report (2005) Robert Williams, Beverly West, Robert Simpson; Prevention of Problem and Pathological Gambling: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence (2008) Jan McMillen, Bruce Doran; Problem Gambling and Gaming Machine Density: Socio-spatial Analysis of Three Victorian Localities (2006) Lee M. Amaitis, Joseph M. Asher, Howard W. Lutnick, Darrin M. Mylet, Alan B. Wilkins; System and Method for Convenience Gaming (2007) J Pearce, K Mason, R Hiscock and P Day; A national study of neighbourhood access to gambling opportunities and individual gambling behaviour, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2008)

Bernhardsen, T; Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction. Canada: John Wiley and Sons (2002)

ESRI.. What is GIS? Retrieved May 2009, from gis.com: http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html (2007)

Bruce J Doran, David C Marshall, Jan McMillen; A GIS-based Investigation of Gaming Venue Catchments, Transactions in GIS (2007)

Brian Rush, Scott Veldhuizen, Edward Adlaf; Mapping the prevalence of problem gambling and its association with treatment accessibility and proximity to gambling venues (2007)

Gambling and Racing Commision; Annual Report (2005)

Robert Williams, Beverly West, Robert Simpson; Prevention of Problem and Pathological Gambling: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence (2008)

Jan McMillen, Bruce Doran; Problem Gambling and Gaming Machine Density: Socio-spatial Analysis of Three Victorian Localities (2006)

Lee M. Amaitis, Joseph M. Asher, Howard W. Lutnick, Darrin M. Mylet, Alan B. Wilkins; System and Method for Convenience Gaming (2007)

J Pearce, K Mason, R Hiscock and P Day; A national study of neighbourhood access to gambling opportunities and individual gambling behaviour, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2008)