Profiling Internet Gamblers - Part 3: Why play online?
27 October 2009, Milton Shaw
The following is the third in a series of stories offering summarized
insights into the online gambling demographic, as revealed in a study undertaken
by Professors Robert T. Wood and Robert J. Williams of the University of Lethbridge, Canada.
Their complete study, titled 'Internet
Gambling: Prevalence, Patterns, Problems and Policy Options' was published
in January 2009 and provides a comprehensive statistical profile of the typical
internet gambler.
Background
An online survey of
12,521 gamblers conducted during 2006/07 was used to compile a statistical
profile of the typical Internet gambler. 7,921 respondents from 105
different countries provided detailed responses to the survey.
Included in the study results was an assessment of player
perceived advantages and disadvantages of gambling on the internet.
The advantages
Not surprisingly, 24 hour availability, convenience, comfort
and privacy were cited as the key advantages players saw in online gambling.
Lower secondary costs (travel, accommodation, food, drinks etc), no crowds, and
no unpleasant people were also considered advantages.
| Advantages |
(%) |
| 24 hour availability / convenience |
56.5 |
| Don't have to drive or leave the house |
50.8 |
| More physically comfortable |
23.3 |
| Lower secondary costs (food, travel
etc) |
23.1 |
| No crowds |
22.5 |
| Greater privacy anonymity |
22.3 |
| No unpleasant people |
20.5 |
| Better gaming experience |
18.4 |
| Less smoke |
16.9 |
| Less noise |
16.5 |
| Land based gambling unavailable |
14.0 |
| Able to smoke |
12.5 |
| Higher payout rates |
7.6 |
The disadvantages
On top of the list of disadvantages were the issue of game
randomness/fairness, and concerns surrounding the safety of deposited funds and
whether winnings would be paid out in a timely fashion.
| Disadvantages |
(%) |
| Difficulty verifying
fairness/randomness of games |
36.1 |
| Concerns about the security of
deposits and winnings being paid out quickly |
25.4 |
| Lack of face to face contact (in
poker) |
25.3 |
| Uncertainties regarding legality |
18.9 |
| Poorer social atmosphere - (no crowds
too isolating) |
18.5 |
| Easier to spend more money |
18.5 |
| Poorer game experience |
17.5 |
| Too convenient |
16.3 |
Some of the more interesting observations that may be drawn
from the above include:
-
A significant portion of players actually preferred the
games offered online to their terrestrial counterparts;
-
While game randomness was cited as a key concern, some
players cited higher payout rates online as an advantage, highlighting
a disparity between player understanding of the mechanics behind RNG games
and where to find reputable operators or non-RNG determined games;
-
Convenience made both the advantages and disadvantages
list. Convenience of online play has long been condemned by problem
gambling groups as one of the key dangers of internet gambling.
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