The promise of another spin: identity and stigma among video lottery players in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Laracy, Ashley Juliette (2012) The promise of another spin: identity and stigma among video lottery players in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (55MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Gambling in Canada has expanded in recent decades following two Criminal Code amendments. The growth of this sector has resulted in gambling being accepted as a more mainstream leisure activity with reduced social stigma. Video lottery terminals (VLTs) however are somewhat of an exception. First introduced to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1991, there is evidence that VLT players suffer from social stigmatization, which may be attributable to negative public and media constructions of this form of gambling. Social constructionists argue that what is defined as deviance by public actors is culturally embedded, therefore resulting in many VLT players being aware of, and potentially internalizing, these negative attitudes. -- Using concepts from the sociology of deviance, this thesis will map the medicalization of VLT gambling in Canada as a result of a rapid expansion of the gaming sector. Drawing upon observations and interview data with Gamblers Anonymous members in St. John's Newfoundland, the thesis proceeds by answering the following questions: How do VLT players see themselves and their gambling activity? What kinds of stigma do they suffer from as a result of their gambling? What types of management techniques are employed by individuals to ensure that they are able to cope with the label of compulsive gambler?

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