Motivating and inhibiting factors in online gambling behaviour: a grounded theory study

To date, there has been very little empirical research examining why people gamble online or – just as importantly – why they do not gamble online. A grounded theory study examining the motivating and inhibiting factors in online gambling was carried out. The sample comprised 15 online gamblers, 14 offline gamblers, and 11 non-gamblers, and resulted in the identification of one major theme as to why participants were motivated to gamble online (i.e., greater opportunity to gamble) and four sub-themes (i.e., convenience, value for money, the greater variety of games, and anonymity). The main reason that inhibited online gambling was that the authenticity of gambling was reduced when gambling online. Four further sub-themes were identified as inhibitors of online gambling (i.e., the reduced realism, the asocial nature of the internet, the use of electronic money, and concerns about the safety of online gambling websites). Results also indicated that the participants’ perception was that online gambling was more addictive than offline gambling and that online gambling would exacerbate gambling problems in society

What differentiates professional poker players from recreational poker players? A qualitative interview study

The popularity of poker (and in particular online poker) has increasingly grown worldwide in recent years. Some of the factors that may explain this increased popularity include: (i) an increasing number of celebrities endorsing and playing poker, (ii) an increased number of televised poker tournaments, (iii) 24/7 access of poker via the internet, and (iv) the low stakes needed to play online poker. This increase in the popularity of poker has led to the increased incidence of the ‘professional poker player’. However, very little empirical research has been carried out into this relatively new group of gamblers. This research comprised a grounded theory study involving the analysis of data from three professional poker players, one semi-professional poker player and five recreational poker players. Results showed that all players believed that poker was a game of skill. The central theme as to what distinguishes professional poker players from recreational players was that professional poker players were much more disciplined in their gambling behaviour. They treated their poker playing as work, and as such were more likely to be logical and controlled in their behaviour, took less risks, and were less likely to chase losses. Recreational players were more likely to engage in chasing behaviour, showed signs of lack of control, took more risks, and engaged in gambling while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Also of importance was the number of games and time spent playing online. Recreational players only played one or two games at a time, whereas professional poker players were much more likely to engage in multitable poker online, and played longer sessions, thus increasing the potential amount of winnings. Playing poker for a living is very possible for a minority of players but it takes a combination of talent, dedication, patience, discipline and disposition to succeed

Gambling on the Internet: motivating and inhibiting factors

Gambling operators can certainly benefit from knowing who their customers are, and why they choose to gamble. Professor Mark Griffiths and Abby McCormack, of Nottingham Trent University, discuss different socio-cultural player profiles, and assess how offline and online gambling platforms compare in this context

The costs of playing free games on gambling websites

One of the most common ways to entice gamblers to play online is to make them try out games in ‘demo’, ‘practice’ or ‘free play’ mode. At one level, most would argue that playing for points rather than money is little more than innocuous fun. However, is this really the case? Dr. Mark Griffiths and Abby McCormack, of Nottingham Trent University, and Dr Jonathan Parke, of the University of Salford, examine some of the real costs of playing free online games on gambling websites

Single action separation mechanism Patent

Separation mechanism for use between stages of multistage rocket vehicle

Electrical characterization Of SiGe thin films

An apparatus for measuring electrical resistivity and Hall coefficient on both thin films and bulk material over a temperature range of 300K to 1300K has been built. A unique alumina fixture, with four molybdenum probes, allows arbitrarily shaped samples, up to 2.5 cm diameter, to be measured using van der Pauw's method. The system is fully automated and is constructed with commercially available components. Measurements of the electrical properties of doped and undoped Si-Ge thin films, grown by liquid phase epitaxy reported here, are to illustrate the capabilities of the apparatus

The psychosocial impact of online problem gambling

Ever since the National Lottery was introduced in 1994, there has been an increased prevalence of gambling in the UK. Technological innovation in this time has led to new ways in which people can gamble worldwide (e.g., internet gambling, mobile phone gambling and interactive television gambling), and increased accessibility to opportunities to gamble worldwide. The fastest growing form of gambling is internet gambling, however, little is understood in relation to the characteristics of internet gamblers, the psychosocial impact of internet gambling (e.g. problem gambling) and implications for public social policy. The overall aims of this thesis were to establish (i) what makes internet gambling potentially addictive, (ii) how is internet gambling located, accessed, and utilised by players, and (iii) what the salient structural and situational characteristics of internet gambling are and how these impacted (psychologically and socially) on peoples‘ lives. These aims were addressed through three stages of linked research utilising a multi-method design including a literature-based scoping study, in-depth interviews (n=40), and a comprehensive online survey (n=975) in order to triangulate the data to examine the psychosocial impact and potential addictiveness of internet gambling

Controls on Cyclic Formation of Quaternary Early Diagenetic Dolomite

The origin of sedimentary dolomite and the factors that control its formation within the geological record remain speculative. In most models, dolomite formation is linked to evaporative conditions, high water temperature, increasing Mg/Ca ratio, increasing alkalinity, and high amounts of biomass. Here we challenge these archetypal views, by documenting a case example of Quaternary dolomite which formed in Lake Van at constantly low temperature (<4°C) and without direct control of the latter conditions. Dolomite occurs within highstand sediments related to suborbital climate variability (Dansgaard‐Oeschger cycles). We propose that dolomite precipitation is a product of a microbially influenced process, triggered by ecological stress, resulting from reventilation of the water‐sediment interface. Independently from the validity of this hypothesis, our results call for a reevaluation of the paleoenvironmental conditions often invoked for early diagenetic dolomite‐rich intervals within sedimentary sequences and for caution when interpreting time series of subrecent lacustrine carbonates

Networks among British Immigrants and Accomodation to Canadian Society: Winnipeg, 1900-1914

Recently scholars have begun to explain migration in terms of the mechanisms which immigrants employ as groups to accommodate to new societies. Upon arrival in Canada, British immigrants established a new set of social relationships still strongly informed by their pre-emigration culture. The most important social institution facilitating accommodation was the nuclear family. Families were the basis for networks providing reliable information, emotional solace and material support. Other institutions flourishing in British immigrant communities — churches, benefit societies and boarding-houses — functioned as surrogate families. Networks gave the British a competitive advantage in Canada's heterogeneous society. On a commencé à expliquer la migration en terme de mécanismes d’adaptation des groupes d'immigrants. À leur arrivée au Canada, les immigrants britanniques y ont établi un nouveau mode de relations sociales fondé en grande partie, en fait, sur leur culture d’origine. La famille nucléaire fut la plus importante des institutions sociales facilitant l’adaptation des immigrants. Elle leur fournit des informations provenant de sources fiables, un réconfort affectif et un support matériel. D’autres institutions fleurissant dans la communauté britannique — les églises, les sociétés de bienfaisance et les maisons d’accueil — fonctionnèrent comme des substituts aux familles. Ces réseaux mirent les britanniques dans une position plus compétitive à l’intérieur de la société hétérogène canadienne

Effect of Small Monetary Incentive and Demographic Characteristics on Response Rate of Self-Administered Questionnaire Mailed to Rural Women

Objectives: The National Children’s Study (NCS) is a longitudinal observational study that will examine the effects of genetics and environment on the health and development of children in the United States. The NCS is in a Vanguard, or pilot phase, so it is important to determine the feasibility, acceptability and cost of different data collection methods. The purpose of this study was to determine whether demographic characteristics differed in self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) completion rates, and to examine response rates when a $2 incentive was included with the mailed questionnaire. Methods: Subjects for the study (~500) were being followed by a local call center and were mailed SAQs. Women who did not complete their last telephone event were eligible. Women were randomized to receive a$2 bill incentive with their SAQ (approximately 250 women in each group). Results: Approximately 450 women comprised the final sample. In the incentive group, 35% of SAQs were returned, which was significantly higher than the 27% returned in the non-incentive group (p\u3c0.001). No significant differences in completion rates based on demographic characteristics were seen, except in divorced women. The final cost per completed SAQ was $12.51 in the incentive group compared to$7.57 for the non-incentive group. Conclusions: Adding a $2 bill as an incentive significantly increased response rates of hard-to-reach rural women completing mailed questionnaires about pregnancy information. Future research should focus on different incentive amounts and types and how they influence response rates