Multilevel Environment Induced Impulsive Gambling

Abstract

The study investigates the relationships among casino service environment, impulsive gambling and gambling behaviors. Analysis of service environment is approached from both individual and organizational perspectives. The investigation involves testing organizational service environment as a moderator and impulsive gambling as a mediator. Results indicate that casino service environment does explain significant variance in impulsive gambling which subsequently influences gambling behaviors. The mediation testing shows that impulsive gambling demonstrates partial and full mediation effects between various service environment factors and the outcome variables. Casino service environment on an organizational level also successfully moderates the linkage between individual perception of service environment, impulsive gambling and gambling behaviors. The findings have strategic implications for both researchers and practitioners. In particular, this study contributes to service and gambling research by incorporating individual and organizational environmental factors into consumer behavior analyses. Potential applications of the findings are highlighted for casinos and problem counselors.