Kevin Harrigan

Dr. Harrigan is the lead researcher and contact person for the University of Waterloo Problem Gambling Research Team. His primary research interest is in gambling addictions with a focus on why so many slot machine gamblers become addicted. In Ontario, 60% of slot machine revenue is derived from problem gamblers. Kevin’s area of expertise is computer science and math/statistics as it relates to the design and implementation of slot machine games. Topics of interest include: gaming regulations, self-exclusion policies, limitations of random number generators (RNGs), PAR Sheets, near misses, and computer algorithms used to misrepresentation slot machine game outcomes.

Professor Harrigan is a member of the University of Waterloo’s Digital Arts Communication (DAC) program where he teaches courses in multimedia and computer game design. He is a founding member of the uWaterloo Games Institute (gamesinstitute.ca) and a Theme Leader in the SSHRC-funded $2.5m IMMERSe program (immersecanada.com).

He has been a technical Expert Witness regarding the programming of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) including slot machines, video slots, and video poker: