Skill gambling machines and electronic gaming machines: participation, erroneous beliefs, and understanding of outcomes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Skill-based gaming machines (SGMs) include a skill-element within the random mechanisms of electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Concerns have been expressed that SGMs may increase erroneous beliefs among gamblers, which would exacerbate gambling problems. This paper presents the results of a survey of 184 Mechanical Turk workers with access to SGMs. Exploratory analyses were conducted on measures assessing understanding of the role of skill vs. chance in determining outcomes in SGMs, EGMs, and other gambling and gaming activities, gambling participation, problem gambling severity, and gambling-specific erroneous beliefs. SGM play was greater among participants who were younger, more frequently played mobile games or gambled on EGMs, and had higher problem gambling severity. Participants with prior SGM play experience did not have a greater understanding of SGMs, and had less accurate understanding of how EGMs operate, yet had a higher self-reported understanding. The results suggest that individuals with existing gambling problems may gamble on SGMs and that SGMs may also appeal to a new cohort who do not engage with existing gambling activities. Greater efforts are needed to enhance understanding of EGMs in addition to SGMs where these are available to enabled informed decision-making and reduce erroneous beliefs that may drive problematic play.