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Should you hire your wife or girlfriend as a Risk Manager?
New Research from the Journal of Gambling studies found that when gamblers were being observed by a male or female peer they spent less time gambling; moreover, the gamblers being observed by female peers lost less money relative to other observer conditions. The study also found that when gamblers were induced into a negative mood prior to gambling they reported more positive moods after gambling, whereas those with positive and neutral moods reported more negative moods after gambling.

Mood and Audience Effects on Video Lottery Terminal Gambling

Published online: 17 November 2009

Abstract  Little is known about the situational factors associated with gambling behavior. We induced 180 male participants (mean age: 21.6) into a positive, negative, or neutral mood prior to gambling on a video lottery terminal (VLT). While gambling, participants were observed by either a male peer, female peer, or no one. Induced mood had no effect on gambling behavior. Participants induced into a negative mood prior to gambling, however, reported more positive moods after gambling, whereas those with positive and neutral moods reported more negative moods after gambling. Participants observed by either a male or female peer spent less time gambling on the VLT compared to those not observed. Participants observed by a female peer lost less money relative to the other observer conditions. Degree of problem gambling in the last year had little influence on these effects. Some practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Authors- Sandeep Mishra, Michael Morgan, Martin L. Lalumière and Robert J. Williams