E-Bingo highly addictive researcher warns

The Responsible Gambling Council will be setting up information booths at three locations in Windsor this week for Problem Gambling Prevention Week where they will have information on how to spot a problem and get help through local resources.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming said it was on the lookout for people who are overdoing it on E-Bingo, which is becoming a concern. The machines are relatively new, and have been a hit at two bingo halls in Windsor.

Paul Pellizari is an OLG official responsible for helping people with gambling problems works with the Responsible Gambling Council.

"They have kiosks that are in both Paradise and Breakaway, and those centres are there to provide information in a fun and interactive way, talking about the risks of gambling, talking about ways to play safe, talking about things you can do if you do need help."

E-Bingo machines allow gamblers to play 600 games an hour so, making the potential to lose more money much greater, said Kevin Harrigan, the lead researcher for the Problem Gambling Research Team at the University of Waterloo.

Harrigan said people who play live bingo might lose about $13 an hour, while players on electronic bingo machines can lose about $50 an hour.

He said the anti-addiction messages from the OLG don't go far enough.

"What we really need is a real analysis of these games and built in features into the games to help make them less addictive," he explains.

Harrigan said the machines also light up when the player has a near miss, which he said encourages people to continue playing.

"On these near-miss outcomes, the player is getting rewarded or re-enforced positively, even though they didn't win," he said. "Research is very strong on this, that these near misses lead to prolonged play."

The Responsible Gambling Council will be set up at Caesars Casino Wednesday through Sunday. At Paradise Gambling Centre Bingo on Thursday afternoon, and Windsor Breakaway Gambling Centre Bingo Friday afternoon.