By Gary Rotstein
New survey data of Pennsylvania gamblers supports what casino officials have long stated — they can expect a younger, more masculine group of customers if they add table games to their options.
The differences between slots players and those wagering on poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and other games were among the findings of a 2008 Pennsylvania Department of Health telephone survey.
Typically consisting of interviews with more than 1,000 Pennsylvanians monthly who are 18 and older, the survey found that 46 percent of them had gambled in some form in the previous 12 months.
That was higher than the 43 percent who reported gambling in similar 2007 surveying, although a health department analysis termed the increase “not a significant change.”
Among the 2008 respondents, however, there was significantly more gambling by males than females (53 percent to 40 percent), by whites than blacks (48 percent to 32 percent) and by those with household income above $35,000 (51 percent to 43 percent in poorer households).
Among the gamblers, 39 percent had played slot machines and 17.5 percent had played table games in the prior year — both far less than the 85 percent of gamblers who purchased lottery tickets. Because table games have been illegal in Pennsylvania, the 17.5 percent reflected play by those who traveled outside the state or participated in home games among acquaintances.
Women held a slight edge over men among slots players, 52 percent to 48 percent, but men made up three of every four table games players.
And while the 55-and-older population represented a greater share of slots players than either the 40-54 or 18-39 age groups, those younger than 40 made up 54 percent of table games players. The 55-plus population represented just 17.5 percent of Pennsylvanians who play table games, compared to a 40 percent share of slots players.
About half of table games players said they had also played slots during the past year, the survey found.
Sean Sullivan, general manager of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, said the information meshes with what he has observed in nearly three decades in the casino business in states outside of Pennsylvania.
“Table games is a very social behavior, where it’s you and five or six people at a table, plus a dealer, and it seems to resonate better with a younger audience,” Mr. Sullivan said. “People in the older group, often they just want to sit down and relax.”
At the same time, he said that decades ago in Nevada, women commonly made up a clear majority of slots players while men gravitated to the tables. These days, he said, men are far more likely to also enjoy the slots.
Key lawmakers are currently discussing provisions of a bill expected to be enacted soon to allow table games at the nine existing Pennsylvania casinos, plus potentially five more. The games could be in operation within a half-year after passage of a bill, and Mr. Sullivan said it will modify the appearance of casinos.
“We’re looking forward to broadening our demographic appeal,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a paradigm shift for the property, but it opens the door to a younger set that might be leaving the state now and going across the border to West Virginia.”
In the state survey, known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1.4 percent of those who gambled reported that it caused personal or financial problems in the past year. The prior year, when fewer slots parlors were open, less than 1 percent reported such problems.
“This is not a significant change compared to the corresponding 2007 figure,” a health department analysis of the data said. “However, due to self-reporting this estimate may be low because respondents may under-report these types of problems.”
Health officials say the still-modest 1.4 percent willing to admit troubles jibes with light use by the public thus far of the state’s treatment and reimbursement system for problem gamblers who seek counseling.
“I don’t think there’s a whole lot of folks now running out to the casinos who haven’t done that somewhere before,” and are lapsing into gambling addiction from it, said Robin Rothermel, director of the health department’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
The same surveying is continuing as officials explore whether the opening of new casinos in Pittsburgh, Bethlehem and Philadelphia and the expected addition of table games creates more problem gamblers.
Studies have traditionally found a high degree of alcohol or drug use among compulsive gamblers. Among those in the 2008 state survey who had used alcohol in the past 30 days, 56 percent said they had gambled, compared to 34 percent of those who had not used alcohol.
Ms. Rothermel said the bureau will expect drug and alcohol treatment providers once they’re under new service contracts in July 2010 to screen their clients for gambling problems. Such screening is optional now.
Gary Rotstein can be reached at grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.
Les jeunes hommes sont majoritaires Jeux de Table
