Dr Phillip McKenzie Research Director, Teaching, Learning and Transitions Program, Australian Council for Educational Research Presentation given on 23 May 2011 at "The New Game: Emerging technology and responsible gambling" forum hosted by the Victorian Government's Office of Gaming and Racing as part of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week 2011.

1. Dr Phillip McKenzie Australian Council for Educational Research

2. Gambling and Young People in Australia: Research Purposes and Design Presentation to the Forum “The New Game: Emerging Technology and Responsible Gambling” MCG, Melbourne, 23 May 2011 Phillip McKenzie

3. Background The study was commissioned by the Victorian Department of Justice on behalf of Gambling Research Australia (GRA) Conducted by ACER with the assistance of Wallis Consulting Led by Dr Nola Purdie The first large-scale national study in Australia of young people and gambling 3

4. Purposes Describe the current gambling behaviour of young people Describe the context in which gambling occurs, including the presence of other risk-taking behaviours Analyse the extent to which gambling is similar to other risk-taking behaviours 4

5. Purposes (contd.) Determine at what levels and in what forms gambling becomes problematic Identify differences between young people who become problem gamblers and those who do not develop a problem Determine possible risk inhibitors and risk enhancers relevant to gambling for young people 5

6. Definition of problem gambling The project brief required the following definition to be used: “Problem gambling is characterised by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling, which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others or for the community” 6

7. Scope of activities examined Wagering and gaming activities undertaken by young people, including: commercial forms of gambling interactive gambling that may include use of various forms of ICT non-commercial forms of gambling played in private, non-commercial venues 7

8. Age range examined 10 to 24 year-olds Involved: A school-based sample 10 to 17 year-olds Non-school based sample 18 to 24 year-olds 8

9. Literature review Used to develop the data collection and inform interpretation of the results: nature and attraction of gambling for young people contexts of their gambling extent of participation in gambling Prevalence & correlates of problem gambling gambling risk inhibitors and enhancers 9

11. Non-School sample: CATI & on-line formsFocus groups with convenience samples in a small number of Vic and NSW schools 10

12. Survey content & structure 11

13. Survey content (contd.) 12

14. Achieved survey sample Note: sub-totals may not sum to totals due to a small amount of missing data. 13

15. Data cautions High degree of school non-participation survey burden on schools need for ‘active’ parental consent sensitive questionnaire material Recruitment problems in non-school sample identifying and making contact unwillingness to take part 14

16. Data analyses Survey data Weighting of the data Descriptive statistics Multivariate analyses (structural equation modelling) Focus group data Descriptive analyses based on grounded theory 15

17. Report preparation Progress reports and meetings Drafts circulated to Expert Reference Group established by ACER Drafts circulated by GRA for stakeholder comment Report drafted by Nola Purdie, Kylie Hillman, Clare Ozolins, Gabrielle Matters & Karen Harris Report currently being finalised in light of feedback 16