Observations of the first GameSense-branded responsible gambling centre in a US casino

Objective: To help mitigate potential gambling harm, responsible gambling information centres are launching across casino venues in North America. The launch of the first such centre in the USA provided an opportunity to achieve three goals: (1) document the centre’s reach among casino patrons, (2) generate a comprehensive description of services provided, and (3) explore the potential for a dose–response relationship between centre exposure and gambling beliefs and behaviour. Design: We documented services provided and surveyed consecutive centre visitors. Setting: We achieved these goals at the GameSense Info Center, located in the first Massachusetts casino. Method: Programme staff recorded their services via electronic checklist and administered one-page surveys to visitors with whom they discussed problem or responsible gambling. Results: Programme staff reported engaging directly with approximately 1% of daily patrons. About 70% of their interactions were casual. During conversations that did move beyond a casual nature, programme staff typically provided information about responsible gambling, consistent with patrons’ self-reported needs and concerns. Finally, among a sample of patrons who repeatedly engaged with programme staff at the most involved level ( N = 129), those with relatively little programme exposure were more likely to hold an accurate gambling belief but less likely to report having set time limits on their casino visits. Conclusion: We did not observe support for the notion that using an on-site information centre to teach patrons about important gambling concepts is associated with more responsible gambling behaviour.

Beyond tobacco prevention: A qualitative study of a school-based life skills intervention for economically disadvantaged youth in Mumbai, India

Objective: Low socioeconomic status young people in low- and middle-income countries use tobacco at higher rates than their wealthier peers. School-based tobacco use prevention interventions that employ a life skills approach are effective at preventing tobacco use. In India, the Salaam Bombay Foundation (SBF) has implemented a multiyear, multicomponent life skills education programme in Mumbai schools to prevent tobacco use. A quantitative evaluation found that SBF programme exposure was associated with not only reduced tobacco use but also improved life skills, self-esteem and self-efficacy. To illuminate how programme exposure engendered these effects, we compared the experiences and perceptions of eighth and ninth grade students (ages 13–15) between SBF and non-SBF schools. Methods: We divided Mumbai into four quadrants or regions and randomly selected one SBF and non-SBF school from each quadrant; 10 participants were then randomly selected from one class per school. A total of eight group discussions ( N = 80 participants) were conducted using mind-mapping with a focus on students’ daily life, future aspirations and non-academic school programming. Researchers analysed the data thematically. Results: Despite similar home lives, SBF students were profoundly more optimistic about their future than non-SBF students. SBF students attributed this increased optimism and agency to opportunities to actively advocate against tobacco, formal recognition in a published newsletter, a sense of belonging to a ‘Super Army’ and supportive mentorship provided by their Super Army and peer leaders. The SBF programme created a safe space in which to build resilience. Conclusion: These findings can guide development of programmes for vulnerable populations with broader goals than tobacco prevention.