Research & Publications
Latest Research
Exploring Session Length and Player Risk
Developing the Affordability Index
Evaluating Safer Gambling Interactions
Focal Highlights
A Measure of Early Gambling Risk and Harm
How to Model Gambling Risk Using Loyalty Data
Identifying Gambling Risk Factors for Youth
View our Research & Publications
Session Length and Player Risk
Explore the Associations between Continuous Play and Risk of Gambling-Related Harm
Session Length and Player Risk
Long Play Session May Not Equal Greater Gambling Problems: Insights from Regular EGM Players | Highlight Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants & UNLV International Gaming Institute
Date: March 2025
Affordability Index
A New Approach to Finding Over-Spenders among Regular EGM Gamblers
Affordability Index
The Focal ALeRT Affordability Index: Finding Over-Spenders Among Regular EGM Gamblers | Highlight Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: January 2022
The Focal ALeRT Affordability Index: Finding Over-Spenders Among Regular EGM Gamblers | Summary Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: January 2022
Evaluating the Impact of Safer Gambling Interactions
Characteristics of Staff Interactions that Led to Improved Outcomes for UK Casino Players
Evaluating the Impact of Safer Gambling Interactions
Helping UK Casino Players Gamble Responsibly: Evaluating the Impact of Safer Gambling Customer Interactions | Executive Summary
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: March 2021
Helping UK Casino Players Gamble Responsibly: Evaluating the Impact of Safer Gambling Customer Interactions | Highlight Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: March 2021
Helping UK Casino Players Gamble Responsibly: Evaluating the Impact of Safer Gambling Customer Interactions | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., & Wang, S.
Date: March 2021
Developing Risk Identification Models in the UK
Development, Testing, and Trial of Focal’s ALeRT BETTOR Protection System in the UK
Developing Risk Identification Models in the UK
Identify, Interact, Evaluate, Report: NCF-ALeRT UK Casino 2019 Trial | Summary Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: December 2019
Using Player Loyalty Data to Detect Risk for Problem Gambling: Developing and Testing Risk Identification Models for Use in the UK Casino Market | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: February 2016
FocaL Adult Gambling Screen for EGMs (FLAGS-EGM)
A Measurement of Risk and Problem Gambling Associated with Electronic Gambling Machines
FocaL Adult Gambling Screen for EGMs (FLAGS-EGM)
Instrumental Development for the Focal Adult Gambling Screen (FLAGS-EGM): A Measurement of Risk and Problem Gambling Associated with Electronic Gambling Machines | Journal Publication
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Schellinck, H., & Bliemel, M.
Date: May 2015
Construct Development for the Focal Adult Gambling Screen for Electronic Gambling Machine Players (FLAGS): A Risk Measurement Instrument for Risk due to Gambling Harm and Problem Gambling Associated with Electronic Gambling Machines | Journal Publication
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Schellinck, H., & Bliemel, M.
Date: May 2015
FocaL Adult Gambling Screen (FLAGS)
Developing and Validating a New Measure of Gambling Risk and Harm
FocaL Adult Gambling Screen (FLAGS)
Raising the FLAGs: A Pilot Study Adapting FLAGS, A Next Generation Gambling Risk Assessment Instrument, For Use in Identifying Risk Among General Gambling Populations | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Schellinck, H., & Bliemel, M.
Date: August 2011
Development of an Instrument for Identifying Risk for Problem Gambling among Slot Machine Gamblers in Ontario | Highlight Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Schellinck, H., & Bliemel, M.
Date: June 2011
Development of an Instrument for Identifying Risk for Problem Gambling Among Slot Machine Gamblers in Ontario | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Bliemel, M., & Schellinck, H.
Date: April 2011
Using Loyalty Data to Identify High-Risk Gambling Patterns
A Guide to Behavioural Analytics and Predictive Modelling for Customer Care
Using Loyalty Data to Identify High-Risk Gambling Patterns
Using Loyalty Data to Identify High-Risk Gambling Patterns: Understanding the Use of Behavioural Analytics and Predictive Modelling for Customer Care | Discussion Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: November 2015
Intelligent Design: How to Model Gambler Risk Assessment by Using Loyalty Tracking Data | Journal Publication
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: December 2011
Player Tracking Rationale and Applications | Discussion Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: June 2010
Informing the Debate: Specifications for an Effective Gambling Risk Assessment System Based on Loyalty Tracking Data | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., & Yi, Z.
Date: December 2009
Using Player Tracking Systems to Identify and Manage Risk for Problem Gambling and other High-Risk Gambling Behaviour | Discussion Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: October 2009
Focal Youth Gambling Risk Screen (FYGRS)
Understanding Gambling Risk and Harm among Adolescents Aged 13-18 Years in Nova Scotia
Focal Youth Gambling Risk Screen (FYGRS)
2011 Nova Scotia Adolescent Gambling Surveillance Technical Report: Identification of Gambling Risk and Harm Among Adolescents Aged 13-18 Years | Research Report
Authors: Schrans, T. & Schellinck, T.
Date: March 2011
2008 Nova Scotia Adolescent Gambling Exploratory Research: Identification of Risk and Gambling Harms among Youth (13-18 Years) | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: September 2008
Process of Change for VLT Players
Examining the Processes for Actioning and Maintaining Change from Problem Gambling
Process of Change for VLT Players
Gaining Control: Trends in the Process of Change for Video Lottery Terminal Gamblers | Journal Publication
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: December 2010
Evaluating the ‘My Play’ System in Nova Scotia
Monitoring the Impact of a New Responsible Gambling System for Gamblers at High-Risk of Harm
Evaluating the ‘My Play’ System in Nova Scotia
Phase 1 Evaluation of the “My-Play” System: 2010 Regular VL Players Benchmark Survey | Highlight Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Chen, C., & Chambers, E.
Date: October 2010
Evaluating the Impact of the “My-Play” System in Nova Scotia – Phase 1: Regular VL Player Benchmark Survey | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Chen, C., & Chambers, E.
Date: October 2010
Formative and Reflective Constructs in Gambling Risk Assessment
Characteristics of an Improved Instrument for Measuring Gambling Risk and Harm
Formative and Reflective Constructs in Gambling Risk Assessment
Developing an Improved Measure of Risk and Harm due to Gambling: Characteristics of an Improved Instrument and the Application of Formative and Reflective Constructs | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., & Yi, Z.
Date: December 2009
The Concept of Formative Constructs and Suggested Applications in the Area of Gambling Risk Assessment | Annotated Bibliography
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: June 2008
Evaluating the Yellow Flag Post Campaign
Impacts of an Evidence-Based Social Marketing Campaign for Preventing and Reducing Gambling Harm among Young Adults in Nova Scotia
Evaluating the Yellow Flag Post Campaign
2007 Yellow Flag Post Campaign Evaluation Among Young Adults 19-34 in Nova Scotia | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: October 2008
Gambling and Corporate Social Responsibility
Re-Defining Industry and State Roles on Duty of Care, Host Responsibility, and Risk Management
Gambling and Corporate Social Responsibility
Gambling and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Re-Defining Industry and State Roles on Duty of Care, Host Responsibility and Risk Management | Journal Publication
Authors: Hancock, L., Schellinck, T., & Schrans, T.
Date: September 2008
Culture of Alcohol Use in Nova Scotia
Compiling a Reliable Evidence Base to Inform Policy and Practice for Responsible Alcohol Use
Culture of Alcohol Use in Nova Scotia
Culture of Alcohol Use in Nova Scotia | Research Report
Authors: Schrans, T., Schellinck, T., & McDonald, K.
Date: June 2008
Gambling Prevalence Studies
Measuring the Prevalence of Gambling Behaviour Across Atlantic Canada
Gambling Prevalence Studies
2007 Nova Scotia Adult Gambling Prevalence Study | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: January 2008
2003 Nova Scotia Gambling Prevalence Study | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: June 2004
2002 Seniors Survey – Prevalence of Substance Use & Gambling Among New Brunswick Adults Aged 55+ | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T., Schrans, T., Walsh, G., & Grace, J.
Date: May 2002
2001 Survey of Gambling and Problem Gambling in New Brunswick | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: August 2001
1997/98 Nova Scotia Video Lottery Players Survey | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: October 1998
Evaluating Responsible Gambling Device Features
Concept Testing and Impacts of Responsible Gambling Features for Implementation in Nova Scotia
Evaluating Responsible Gambling Device Features
Assessment of the Behavioural Impact of Responsible Gaming Device (RGD) Features: Analysis of Nova Scotia Player-Card Data – Windsor Trial | Highlight Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: February 2007
Assessment of the Behavioural Impact of Responsible Gaming Device (RGD) Features: Analysis of Nova Scotia Player-Card Data – Windsor Trial | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: February 2007
2003 NS VL Responsible Gambling Features Evaluation | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: October 2004
Nova Scotia VL Responsible Gambling Features – Exploratory Concept Testing | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: February 2003
Atlantic Lottery Corporation Video Lottery Responsible Gambling Feature Research | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: October 2002
Self-Administered Problem Gambling Screen
Developing and Testing a Self-Administered Problem Gambling Screen
Self-Administered Problem Gambling Screen
Phase II Self-Administered Problem Gambling Screen | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T.
Date: August 2006
Phase I Development: Self-Administered Problem Gambling Screen | Research Report
Authors: Schellinck, T.
Date: October 2004
Evaluating the Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Assessing Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines Print Materials Among Young Adults
Evaluating the Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines
Evaluative Research & Concept Testing Among Young Adults (19–29 Years): Assessment of Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines Print Materials | Highlight Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: May 2006
Evaluative Research & Concept Testing Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines Print Materials: Qualitative Research with Females Aged 19 to 29 Years | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: July 2005
Evaluative Research & Concept Testing Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines Print Materials: Qualitative Research with Males Aged 19 to 29 Years | Research Report
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: April 2005
Self-Exclusion Program Process Evaluation
Determining the Viability of a Proposed Video Lottery Self-Exclusion Program in Nova Scotia
Self-Exclusion Program Process Evaluation
2004 NS VL Self Exclusion Program Process Test | Research Report
Authors: Schrans, T. & Schellinck, T.
Date: December 2004
2004 NS VL Self Exclusion Program Process Test | Summary Report
Authors: Schrans, T., Schellinck, T., & Grace, J.
Date: December 2004
Identifying Problem Gambling in Venue
Finding Combinations of High Confidence Indicators to Identify Problem Gambling in Venue
Identifying Problem Gambling in Venue
Identifying Problem Gamblers At The Gambling Venue: Finding Combinations of High Confidence Indicators | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: June 2004
Reducing Bias in Prevalence Estimates
Opportunities for Studying Households with More Than One Individual Experiencing Problem Gambling
Reducing Bias in Prevalence Estimates
Surveying All Adults in a Household: The Potential for Reducing Bias in Prevalence Estimates and the Opportunity to Study Households with More than One Problem Gambler | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: May 2003
Understanding Gambling Behaviour Using Computer Simulation
Overcoming Data Shortcomings in the Analysis of Gambling Behaviour
Understanding Gambling Behaviour Using Computer Simulation
Understanding Gambling Behaviour Using Computer Simulation | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: November 2002
The Application of Computer Simulations in Exploring Continuous Consumer Behaviour: The Study of Gambling Behaviour | Conference Paper
Authors: Schellinck, T. & Schrans, T.
Date: January 2002
Review Papers
Commentary and Review Papers on Topical Issues
Review Papers
Review of Report Produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), commissioned by Gamble Aware (August 30, 2017) | Review Paper
Authors: Focal Research Consultants
Date: April 2018
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