Researchers to Look at the ‘Psychology of Gambling’

Problem gambling is an important concern around the world. Australian researchers are working hard to get to the root of the issue, and international scholars are doing the same. This week, the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada launched the Centre for Gambling Research, which will look at the psychology of gambling.

The centre has been funded with a generous $2 million grant from the state government at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). Psychologist Luke Clark will be the head of the research centre, which is one of only a few of its kind in the world. He started at UBC in 2013, after working at the University of Cambridge. Over the years, he has published many valuable studies on the neuroscience behind problem gambling.

He is confident that the centre research will have a significant impact on problem gambling treatment. “This facility will transform gambling research in British Columbia,” he says. “Our work will help us better understand the psychology of gambling games and problem gambling, which will bolster UBC’s strengths in addictions research and ultimately result in healthier communities.”

One of the most innovative aspects of the centre will be its Casino Lab. It features wide range of slot machines and other casino games, allowing the research team to measure behavioural and physiological responses of gamblers. They will be able to measure heart rates and scan brain responses in order to fully understand how a person’s body and mind reacts when they wager on various casino games.

“The Centre for Gambling Research will add to UBC’s and British Columbia’s reputation as a place where innovative, cutting edge research is conducted,” says Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in British Columbia. There is the opportunity for researchers in British Columbia to make important breakthroughs in problem gambling treatment.

We look forward to seeing what they come up with. Problem gambling is an important concern around the world. Australian researchers are working hard to get to the root of the issue, and international scholars are doing the same. This week, the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada launched the Centre for Gambling Research, which will look at the psychology of gambling.

The centre has been funded with a generous $2 million grant from the state government at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). Psychologist Luke Clark will be the head of the research centre, which is one of only a few of its kind in the world. He started at UBC in 2013, after working at the University of Cambridge. Over the years, he has published many valuable studies on the neuroscience behind problem gambling.

He is confident that the centre research will have a significant impact on problem gambling treatment. “This facility will transform gambling research in British Columbia,” he says. “Our work will help us better understand the psychology of gambling games and problem gambling, which will bolster UBC’s strengths in addictions research and ultimately result in healthier communities.”

One of the most innovative aspects of the centre will be its Casino Lab. It features wide range of slot machines and other casino games, allowing the research team to measure behavioural and physiological responses of gamblers. They will be able to measure heart rates and scan brain responses in order to fully understand how a person’s body and mind reacts when they wager on various casino games.

“The Centre for Gambling Research will add to UBC’s and British Columbia’s reputation as a place where innovative, cutting edge research is conducted,” says Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in British Columbia. There is the opportunity for researchers in British Columbia to make important breakthroughs in problem gambling treatment.

We look forward to seeing what they come up with.