Training program on responsible gambling among video lottery employees

Abstract

A training session was developed in the Province of Quebec, Canada to inform video lottery terminal (VLT) employees about problem gamblers and how to help them. This study evaluated the effects of this training program on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of employees. A pre-post experimental design with control group and an eight-month follow-up was used. A total of 826 employees completed a questionnaire before and after the training; 456 were re-evaluated at follow-up. A behavioural evaluation was also carried out by a pseudo patron who visited 82 VLT venues at pre-post and 63 venues at follow-up. The results showed that the session improved employees' attitudes regarding problem gamblers and increased their knowledge about how to help. The results also showed behavioural change after the training. These changes were not fully maintained at follow-up. It is suggested that responsible gambling training programs include strategies to maintain long-term positive effects.