A comparison of an e-ticket simulation and coin slot machines: Effects in problem and non-problem gamblers

One hundred participants (47 males, 53 females) were assigned to play slot machines with either a credit-based or coin-based method of payment system. Half of the participants were placed into the credit condition while the remaining participants were assigned to the coin operated condition. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) was used to categorize gamblers into a non-problem/low-risk group or a moderate-risk/problem group. Video tapes were analyzed for time spent gambling, total amount gambled, total number of bets made, bets made per minute, and amount spent per minute. It was hypothesized that differences would occur between the CPGI groups and machine conditions on these variables. The hypotheses were partially supported with differences occurring between the non-problem/low-risk group and moderate-risk/problem group on time played. Differences were found between the coin and credit conditions according to bets made per minute, and amount spent per minute. These findings may enhance our understanding of the effects that machine characteristics have on problem gambling.