1
GAMBLING
HLSC 3700; Spring 2006
INSTRUCTOR
LOCATION
Dr. Robert Williams
Professor
School of Health Sciences &
Alberta Gaming Research Institute
University of Lethbridge
Office: Anderson Hall 102
Phone: 382-7128
e-mail: robert.williams@uleth.ca
AH175
TIME
Tuesday 1:40 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
DATES
January 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 4, 11
MARKER
Beverly West
M.Sc. (candidate)
School of Health Sciences
Office: Anderson Hall 112
Phone: 329-2278
e-mail: bev.west@uleth.ca
OFFICE HOURS (Williams)
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
TEXTBOOK
None. All required readings for this course will be posted on the class web site. All PowerPoint lectures from the
course will also be available on the class web site:
U of L Homepage  Current Students  Class Web Space  HLSC3700A  Web Site  Private.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A study of all aspects of gambling: history, worldwide availability, types, mathematics of different games, gambling
regulation and policy, social and economic effects of gambling, and the assessment, causes and treatment of
problem gambling.
EVALUATION
o
o
o
o
30% of your mark is for test #1, given on February 14. This test will be 1 hour and consist of short answer and
essay questions.
30% of your mark is for test #2, given on March 28. This test will be 1 hour and only examine lectures that
have been covered since the previous test.
40% of your mark is for the 2 hour final exam, given during the final examination period.
Missed tests are excused only for important medical, family, or religious reasons. A note from the appropriate
authority is required, and a makeup test will normally be given.
Mark
95 – 100
91 – 94.9
87 – 90.9
83 – 86.9
79 – 82.9
75 – 78.9
71 – 74.9
67 – 70.9
63 – 66.9
59 – 62.9
55 – 58.9
0 – 54.9
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
GPA
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
2


DEFINITION OF GAMBLING
HISTORY OF GAMBLING

HISTORY OF GAMBLING
o LESSONS FROM HISTORY
January 24

CURRENT WORLDWIDE SITUATION (regulation; availability; participation)
January 31

CURRENT CANADIAN SITUATION (regulation; availability; participation)
February 7

FIELD TRIP TO CASINO LETHBRIDGE
February 14


TEST1
VIDEO: High Rollers: A History of gambling in America (1999; 100 minutes)
February 28

TYPES OF GAMBLING (origins; how they work; odds)
March 7

TYPES OF GAMBLING (origins; how they work; odds)
March 14

ECONOMIC & SOCIAL EFFECTS OF GAMBLING
March 21


ECONOMIC & SOCIAL EFFECTS OF GAMBLING
PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
(assessment; features; causes; prevention; treatment)
January 10
January 17

March 28
April 4
April 11
TEST2
VIDEO: Gambling It’s Not About Money (35 minutes; 2000) OR Compulsive
Gambling & Recovery (50 minutes; 1997)

PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
(assessment; features; causes; prevention; treatment)


PROBLEM & PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING
GAMBLING POLICY

FINAL EXAM
3
OTHER POTENTIAL VIDEOS
HIGH ROLLERS: A HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN AMERICA (1999; 100 minutes)
 Comprehensive history of gambling and native gambling in U.S.; glamorizes the high rollers a bit;
OWNING MAHOWNEY (105 minutes; 2002)
 very good depiction of downward spiral of problem gambler; & casino tactics; based on real case of
Toronto banker
GAMBLING: DOES IT BENEFIT SOCIETY? (29 minutes; 1997)
CASINO TECHNOLOGY (2000; 50 minutes)
 Good, but hodge podge of stuff that is not connected well: starts with worldwide casinos, player
tracking, history of slots, cheating, etc.
GAMBLING MANIA (1997; 50 minutes)
 Fairly good recent history of U.S. gambling (HIGH ROLLERS video better)
HAND GAME (2001; 66 minutes)
 Native N.A. gambling; have not reviewed it