HOW DOES GAM-GaRD WORK?
GAM-GaRD identifies how risky a proposed (or established) game is likely to be for a vulnerable player. By examining the specific characteristics of the game it is possible to pinpoint exactly where the problematic elements of the game lie so that they can be amended.
Prevention is always better than cure, and focusing responsible gaming initiatives towards vulnerable players() is an effective method for reducing the development of problematic play in the first place.
GAM-GaRD works by examining the structural and situational characteristics that constitute the fundamental features of the game.
Structural characteristics are typically those features of a game that are responsible for reinforcement, may satisfy gamblers' needs and may (for some ‘vulnerable’ players) facilitate excessive gambling. By identifying particular structural characteristics it is possible to see how needs are identified, to see how information about gambling is perceived, and to see how thoughts about gambling are influenced. Showing the existence of such relationships has great practical importance as potentially ‘risky’ forms of gambling can be identified.
Situational characteristics are typically those that get people to gamble in the first place. These characteristics are primarily features of the environment and can be considered the situational determinants of gambling. Some situational characteristics overlap with structural characteristics. For example, the accessibility of the gambling activity can determine both the ease with which a game is accessed (situational) as well as how the game appears, and is experienced (structural).
GAM-GaRD allows game developers and responsible gaming staff to easily identify these characteristics and determine the extent to which each one has an effect on the overall risk rating of the game. By examining each characteristic in this way it is possible to build a game that falls within acceptable tolerances, or to adapt elements of an existing game.
GAM-GaRD displays the results in three bands: low risk (green), medium risk (yellow) and high risk (red). A classification of red does not mean that a game should be scrapped but indicates that there are elements of it that need modifying, or additional responsible gaming features need to be put in place (e.g., limit the availability or spend limit of a game).
GAM-GaRD is easy to use by anyone who has access to the specific features of a particular game (e.g., time it takes to play, prize-back ratio etc.), and access to our secure website. CD-ROM versions are also available. The necessary figures are inputted onto our interactive model for instant results. Parameters can then be changed to observe the overall effect on the risk rating. All data can be saved and printed to provide documentation of the entire process.
GAM-GaRD will be updated annually to take into account any new developments in research and/or gambling technology, and as such allows a gaming operator to be as informed as is possible about the potential impact of a game based on its design characteristics. However, problem gambling is a complicated psychological and social issue and whilst such measures can help to minimise harm to vulnerable individuals, they can never prevent everyone from engaging in excessive patterns of gambling behaviour. GAM-GaRD specifically focuses upon the design characteristics of the game itself, and should always be used in conjunction with an overall responsible gaming strategy that considers the broader context in which any particular game is offered.
HOW WAS GAM-GaRD DEVELOPED?
GAM-GaRD was developed in the UK By Dr Richard Wood, Dr Mark Griffiths and Dr Jonathan Parke, with input from an international advisory team of five expert responsible gaming researchers and clinicians from the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany. By examining the available evidence world-wide, it was possible to develop a measure that utilised the most-up-to-date findings about the impact of the specific elements of a game for influencing vulnerable players.
In order to more fully understand what was known, world-wide, about the impact of structural and situational characteristics on the behaviour of vulnerable players, the project employed The Delphi Method. Delphi utilises a structured process for collecting and distilling knowledge from a group of experts by means of a series of questionnaires interspersed with controlled opinion feedback() Delphi has been shown to be a successful technique for facilitating communication between a group of experts, and assists the formation of a well informed group judgement.() The Delphi method has been extensively used to generate reliable forecasts in technology, education, and other fields.()
GAM-GaRD was tested against 40 existing games and the findings accurately reflected the known impact of those games in terms of their association with problem gambling behaviour.
GAM-GaRD is updated annually to ensure that it continually take account of the latest research findings relating to responsible gaming and the development of problem gambling behaviour.
WHO DEVELOPED GAM-GaRD?
Dr Richard T.A. Wood Ph.D. C. Psychol
Dr Richard Wood is a Chartered Psychologist and has been studying gaming behaviour for over 12 years during which time he has worked for both The International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University (UK) and The International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University in Montreal (Canada). As a consequence of his research, Dr Wood has published numerous gambling related articles, has presented his findings at conferences and seminars around the world, and undertaken many responsible gaming consultations for both the gaming industry and regulatory sectors. His research focuses on both the individual causes of problem gambling, as well as the structural characteristics of games that can influence the gambling behaviour of vulnerable players. Dr Wood is the Director of GamRes Limited an independent international research and consultancy business, and Co-Director of The International Responsible Gaming Organisation (IRGO).
Dr Mark D Griffiths Ph.D, C.Psychol
Dr Griffiths is a Chartered Psychologist and Europe’s only Professor of Gambling Studies (Nottingham Trent University). He has won several international prizes in the area outstanding scholarly contributions to the field of gambling research. He has published over 200 refereed research papers, published a number of books on the psychology of gambling, numerous book chapters and has over 550 other non-refereed publications to his name. He has served as a member on a number of national and international committees (e.g. European Association for the Study of Gambling, British Psychological Society Council, BPS Social Psychology Section, Society for the Study of Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous General Services Board, National Council on Gambling etc.) and was former National Chair of GamCare.