Exploration of the Socioeconomic Challenges, Incremental Technological/Digital impact and Critical Incidents Influencing the Lottery Gambling and Gaming industry― An Empirical Perception of Casino Owners, Employees and Guests Betting Habit in Premier Lotto, Plc Nigeria

ABSTRACT

In the present exploratory mixed research study conducted in the locality of Surulere LGA, Lagos state metropolis, Nigeria, the socioeconomic challenges, critical incidents and technological factors influencing gambling participation and prevalence were studied. In the separate quantitative cross-sectional survey, 160 questionnaires were administered to respondents sampled randomly in a population composed of gambling participants and guests. 126 questionnaires were successfully filled and collected (response rate 78.75%). Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the data collected and socio-econometric analysis using a formulated predictive binary logistic model to assess the likelihood of gambling participation (a dichotomous outcome variable) using seven different socio-economic predictors (age, marital status, education level, and income level). The predictive analysis was statistically significant, X2(7) = 35.792, p˂0.05 and the model explained 36.8 percent (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in gambling participation and correctly classified 84.9 percent of cases. Accounting for the good fit of this model, the Hosmer & Lemeshow test the null hypothesis and revealed that the model fits (X2(7) = 7.824, p>0.05) perfectly with the observed data group membership. Four variables (age, marital status, education level, income level, and distance to gambling outlet) contributed to the test significance. The predictive model revealed that males (Exp(B)=1.620) are likely to participate in gambling and gaming activities than their female counterpart; those that have low level of education (Exp(B)=8.344) are more likely to engage in gambling and gaming activities than those with advanced level of education. The model supported the fact that those earning and surviving on lower income (Exp(B)= 9.521) are more likely to gamble than those on higher paycheck as established in other studies. The socioeconomic impact assessment of gambling participation and prevalence in the study area revealed that of the 95 respondents who claimed to have been gambling in the past 12 months, 31% were at high risk of problem gambling as they scored above 7 gambling severity index (GSI) score, 57% were moderate risk (3-7 GSI score point) while 12% were at low risk of problem gambling as they scored below 3 points on GSI score card. Technology advancements and digital media were found to have improved customer’s gambling experience
Exploration of the Gambling Industry in Nigeria
in the country while the industry have benefitted from same in improving gambling business operations. Gambling business activities and the industry operations have contributed to socioeconomic development breathing new hope into people as well as assisting the government in reducing employment rate through creation of jobs.