Members of the public are welcome at a presentation on the psychological factors influencing gambling behaviour on poker machines, with a focus on the 'Escape' and 'Excitement' motivations.

The free presentation by CQU's Dr Matthew Rockloff will be from 1pm-2pm on Friday, June 6, at CQU Bundaberg, with videoconference links to campus venues at Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay and Emerald.

Dr Rockloff, a senior lecturer with the Department of Behavioural and Social Sciences, said the presentation will describe 4 experimental studies providing new information on the psychological factors influencing gambling behaviour on poker machines.

"Gambling behaviour is motivated in part by a desire to escape negative self-reflection. Gambling behaviour is also motivated by the excitement of the experience," he said.

"Consumer-protection measures, advertisements and therapeutic practice can discourage people from the use of gambling as an escape from their problems, and can help at-risk gamblers understand the relationship between their experience of excitement and potentially destructive gambling behaviour."

This is the latest in the Healthy Communities seminar series. Details and RSVPs via 07 4930 9371 or j.douglas@cqu.edu.au