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The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used measure of customer loyalty. It was touted as "the one number you need to grow" due to a purported relationship between the NPS and firm growth. A number of academic papers have examined this macro relationship with decidedly mixed results. In this study, we focus on the micro relationship between a customer's loyalty segment (Promoter, Passive, or Detractor) and purchasing behavior. While other studies focus on the relationship between a customer's NPS segment and word of mouth (the other driver of firm growth), only a few have examined the impact of the NPS segment on consumer retention and future spending. Unlike prior studies using consumers, we have objective measures of retention, past spending, and future spending. We explore three important research questions: (1) Does past purchase behavior vary differ across the NPS segments? (2) Does future consumer behavior vary across the NPS segments? And (3) How do the NPS segments compare to other metrics in predicting future consumer behavior? Our data comes from post-visit surveys and transaction histories from the casino gaming industry. We find Promoters have significantly higher levels of past spending, retention, and future spending (controlling for past spending) than Detractors. However, using other metrics such as satisfaction or likelihood-to-revisit provides comparable fit to the data. Furthermore, the average difference in future spending between the Promoters and Defectors is small, despite its statistical significance. While this study provides empirical validation of the use of the NPS segments to capture differences in consumer behavior, managers have options with comparable explanatory power to measure the state of their relationships with customers. This study adds to the very limited empirical research that validates the assumptions about consumer behavior that underlie the use of the NPS for predicting firm growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the Macau hotel industry's response to global shocks using vector autoregression analysis. According to the findings, the hotel occupancy rate reacts negatively to a one-standard-deviation shock in global geopolitical risk. However, this reaction decreases after the second period and completely loses its effect after the fourth period. Hotel occupancy rate responds weakly and short term negatively to the shock of global economic policy uncertainty. The hotel industry reacts short term, weakly, and positively to a shock in US monetary policy uncertainty. According to the variance decomposition results, at the end of the tenth term (long-term), 96.25% of the change in hotel occupancy rates is explained by their own dynamics. The rest is 3.00% geopolitical risk, 0.5% US monetary policy uncertainty, and 0.25% economic policy uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study investigates how nationalist sentiments enable the gambling industry to capitalize on national markets. With the help of qualitative content analytical tools, we analyzed 500 curated social media posts targeting Finnish and Swedish audiences. The study compared narrative templates, identifying speaker positions (inside/outside sociocultural context) and types of nationalist connotations (surface-level/in-depth). The results are displayed in a four-field matrix that reveals that Finland’s state gambling monopoly, Veikkaus, leverages ‘cultural nationalism’ to highlight its social role, portraying itself as a supporter of Finnish values, sports, and civil society. In contrast, international gambling companies and former domestic monopolies in Sweden’s license-based regulatory system use more mechanical, ‘sports-nationalist’ symbols, though the former monopoly companies occasionally refer to traditional Swedish cultural identity symbols. Compared to Veikkaus, the Swedish operators approach the national market as commercial outsiders, seeking public trust through sports associations. The study sheds light on how regulatory systems shape digital capitalist strategies for targeting national consumers on the social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) programmes are intended to minimise gambling-related harm. They are considered effective for the individual but several weaknesses have been reported that deter individuals from enrolment. The present paper summarises opinions about and experiences with VSE strategies and assesses gaps and needs with regard to the current self-exclusion regulations and programmes in seven jurisdictions. Methods: A total of 102 representatives from various sectors (research community; addiction help and care services; prevention; regulatory bodies; gambling providers) in Finland, Germany, Italy, Massachusetts (USA), Norway, Sweden, and Victoria (Australia) were surveyed about their experiences with and opinions about VSE strategies, as well as gaps and needs of the current VSE regulations in their jurisdiction. Results: The respondents agreed on the need for and importance of VSE programmes. However, in all participating jurisdictions, VSE regulations at the time of the survey were considered insufficient, and the respondents suggested potential improvements to facilitate the exclusion process, increase utilisation and reduce gamblers' breaching VSE. Representatives of the gambling industry also emphasised the individual's responsibility. Conclusions: Individuals with gambling disorder require effective VSE programmes to cope with their addictive behaviour. To effectively reduce breaches, technical and legal solutions are necessary. This includes access controls based on complete nationwide registries, strict enforcement and preventing excluded gamblers from accessing unlicensed online operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between the survival and resilience of ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) and their involvement in the illicit economy in the China-Myanmar borderlands of northern Shan State over time. Drawing on fieldwork conducted from 2018 to 2022 in both the China-Myanmar and Thai-Myanmar borderlands, it employs a spatiotemporal approach to explore the interactions among border openness/closure, transnational flows, EAOs' strategies, and illicit economies, including the Cold War era drug trade, the gambling industry in the early twenty-first century, and the post-Covid-19 online scams industry. The study reveals how EAOs use the border as a resource, adapting their strategies to changing political environments. It argues that these interactions are not linear but rather characterised by reciprocal influences across various historical periods. This historical overview of the interactions between non-state armed groups and illicit economies reveals the complexity of the contested borderland along the Chinese border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of computers and the Internet has substantially changed the gaming environment during the past ten years. The gambling industry is no longer exclusive to land-based gaming establishments (such as casinos and racetracks). Today, a few keystrokes on a computer are all it takes to access gaming operations. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and various other platforms constitute a particular form of access that has drawn more attention from academics in gambling studies. This increasing focus is partially attributable to the fact that social media sites have gained popularity as a means of accessing online gambling websites via hyperlinks hidden inside adverts. Users of social networking platforms can play free-to-play virtual gambling games using programmes. Virtual gaming platforms are the new name for these free-to-play simulation games of gambling. However, there is evidence to suggest that playing social casino games may serve as a "gateway" to real money gambling. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of deviant personas on online gambling behavior. By examining the relationship between deviant personas and online gambling, we seek to enhance our understanding of the factors that contribute to problematic gambling behaviors in virtual environments. Employing a robust methodological approach, this research amalgamates the analytical power of PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling) to explore the factors influencing the intention to adopt online gambling services. The data for this study were obtained by administering an online survey questionnaire to a sample of 325 aware customers of online gambling. The study's discerning insights have notable implications for the academic community, brand strategists, online game designers, and online gambling platform providers, offering valuable guidance for decision-making and strategy formulation within the burgeoning online gambling industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of problematic online gambling behavior is a topic of major interest for regulators, the gambling industry, and researchers. Many gambling operators approach this issue by using responsible gambling tools. Among such tools, mandatory play breaks are used to interrupt long online gambling sessions, providing "cooling off" periods for players to take a reflective "time out". The present study investigated the effects of mandatory play breaks in a large-scale experiment with 23,234 online gamblers engaging in more than 870,000,000 gambling transactions on Norsk Tipping's gambling platform over a 1-month period. The gamblers were randomly assigned to several intervention groups with varying duration of mandatory play breaks and one control group with Norsk Tipping's standard play break duration. More specifically, the study analyzed the relationship between the mandatory break received and the gambler's acceptance of this tool, the interaction patterns with the tool, and how quickly they started to gamble again, as well as post-intervention effects on gambling behavior. Results showed that gamblers who were treated with longer mandatory breaks (i) tended to take longer voluntary breaks, and (ii) interacted more frequently with the tool (for instance, by clicking the "logout" button). Furthermore, gamblers appeared to accept longer mandatory play breaks. However, only a fraction of post-intervention effects remained, and mainly only for gamblers who received a substantial number of long mandatory play breaks. Overall, the present study provides actionable insights for both researchers and the gambling industry to improve the effectiveness of mandatory play breaks as a responsible gambling tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our decade-long international study of controversial publicly traded companies in tobacco, alcohol, and gambling industries, we find that their performance is distinctly influenced by the legal landscape compared to their noncontroversial peers. Not only controversial firms do not outperform their noncontroversial peers when the determinants of the legal landscape are accounted for, but there is also evidence that controversial firm performance is sensitive to specific aspects of the legal landscape, some of them helping them thrive while others penalizing them. A stricter rule of law and regulation quality negatively affect them. Their stock performance improves in environments with widespread bribery, patronage, and embezzlement. Additionally, enhanced business freedom and property rights protection significantly boost their performance, a benefit not observed in non-controversial firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As previous generations of players have aged and new generations with new tastes and expectations have emerged, the game industry has increasingly turned to high-profile remasters and remakes to re-valorize old software for new market conditions. To date, scholars and journalists have viewed this development almost entirely through an authenticity-focused lens inherited from preservation discourses, which has led many to dismiss rerelease efforts as simultaneously derivative and ahistorical. But this focus on authenticity has obscured the complex cultural and economic processes which give rise to rereleased games and the heterogeneity of the adaptive strategies that the industry has produced to appeal to varied consumer groups. This paper argues that we should instead view remastering and remaking as sub-practices of what I call temporalization, which, like the more familiar practice of localization, should be viewed as a creatively challenging and politically underdetermined cultural force which demands analysis on its own terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The commercial determinants of health is a rapidly expanding field of research; however Indigenous perspectives remain notably underrepresented. For Indigenous peoples the intersection of globalisation, colonialism and capitalism may amplify commercially-driven health inequities. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of Aboriginal leaders regarding the influence of commercial activities on Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Victoria, Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 23 Aboriginal leaders from across five sectors (n = 15 urban, n = 8 rural/regional) were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes were identified encompassing (i) harmful commercial practices and processes, (ii) improving corporate engagement and (iii) opportunities for self-determination through business. Participants expressed concern over aggressive marketing by the gambling industry, commercial exploitation of Aboriginal culture, the privatisation of public services, and lack of oversignt of corporate social responsibility strategies. Simultaneously, Aboriginal-led businesses were viewed as opportunities for cultural connection, and financial empowerment and self-determination. Conclusion: Numerous commercial entities and activities are perceived to influence Aboriginal health and wellbeing. This study highlights the need for stronger policy and regulation to mitigate harmful industry practices while incentivising the potential positive impacts of the commercial activities on Aboriginal health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud gaming technology is a fairly new innovation in the gaming industry in the world. The implementation gradually expanded and reached Indonesia at this time. However, the growth of its users tends to be slow, even though game players in Indonesia have reached 105 million people. If cloud gaming users can become larger, it will certainly be profitable for the provider companies and the Indonesian state. Therefore this research was conducted to understand the factors that influence the acceptance of cloud gaming technology with the Xbox cloud gaming case study. In this study using the main model Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) added variables perceived security and perceived value. The data collection method used is an online survey using Google Forms. The number of samples collected reached 120 game players. Multiple regression analysis and sub-group analysis were used to test the hypotheses proposed in the study. Based on the results of the analysis it was found that all hypotheses were supported. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, perceived security and perceived value influence the user's behavioral intention to keep using Xbox cloud gaming. The results of this study are expected to be able to make cloud gaming service providers, especially Xbox, to be able to improve the quality of service based on the suggestions put forward by the author. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to an analysis of the gambling system in Romania, with an emphasis on the thesis stated in its title, namely the state monopoly in the gambling industry by referring to the equal treatment between private operators and those owned by the state. The principle of equality complemented by that of non-discrimination runs like a red thread thrO.U.G.h contemporary constitutional systems and international documents in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Also, in this area it must be respected, and it must be reflected in the legislation applicable to gambling. However, state monopoly allows states to justify certain exceptions to EU law. As we have shown in the conclusions part, in Romania it is an exclusive exploitation monopoly for lottery games, established in favor of the Romanian National Lottery, but for the rest of the gambling games, any operator, private or state, can exploit them, provided if they obtain license and authorization. Indirectly and in the absence of an express normative framework, we could not state that the Romanian Lottery implicitly holds a monopoly for the exploitation of VLT-type slot machines-video lottery games-, even thO.U.G.h it is the only one that exploits them. Moreover, the VLTs are not subject to the exclusive exploitation monopoly provided to the Romanian Lottery. The analysis of the legislation leads to the conclusion that there is a concern to achieve a fair balance between the public interest and that of the operators authorized to perform this activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the transformation of Las Vegas from a mob-run gambling haven to a corporate mecca, juxtaposed with the rise of mobile sports gambling accessibility. Topics include the historical context of gambling, legal frameworks like Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and the impact of mobile technology on addiction and societal issues.

The applications of modern large language models are diverse and new at the same time. It is forecasted that the scientific society and businesses may experience a long period of time exploring all opportunities and challenges for using them which will allow analysis of the impact on how advanced generative artificial intelligence is changing work occupation activities and performance efficiency. Undoubtedly, today’s question that every business must answer is not if but how to implement large language models, due to their ability to transform numerous business processes. This study aims to give a better understanding on how large language models are contributing to the process of exploratory data analysis as they are not here to replace the traditional methods but to add generative artificial intelligence capabilities to the well-established ones. The results of this paper reveal high level of accuracy of the paired output between operation prompts in OpenAI’s large language model and human-mediated entry. However, such output comparison highlighs the need for more informative and specific input prompts to ascertain this accuracy. Further caveats that need to be placed in consideration refer to possible system downtimes, as well as the expenses incurred with every prompt execution. Nevertheless, the comparative speed of operation of large language models remains their most substantial competitive advantage. Overall, the findings in this paper contribute to understanding that large language models streamline with ease the desired extraction of insightful information which may further be used for better decision-making, good data management, and design of winning growth strategy as is the case of the gaming industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As digital technologies expand access to new forms of legalized gambling, including sports betting and online gaming, it is important to assess the impact of macroeconomic and equity market outcomes on fund flows into gambling. The authors' findings will be of interest to policymakers and the gambling industry, as various forms of gambling, including day trading, gain broad public acceptance. Design/methodology/approach: The authors examine the impact of macroeconomic forces, business cycles, and financial market wealth on gambling. The authors propose a nonlinear model linking aggregate gambling expenditures to macroeconomic, stock market, and gambling industry variables. The authors estimate the proposed model using nonlinear estimation procedures. Findings: The authors find that price of wagering, incomes, and supply of gambling opportunities are the primary determinants of wagering demand. Aggregate wagering is negatively impacted by realized stock returns and market volatility, but rises during recessions. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the questions posed and addressed in this manuscript have not been addressed in prior literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]