Spatial Clusters of Gambling Outlet: A Machine Learning Tree-Based Algorithm
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear author/s:
I have read your article, "Spatial clusters of the gambling outlets. A machine learning tree-based algorithm," with interest. The topic is timely and relevant, particularly for its focus on the spatial and temporal dynamics of gambling establishments in Madrid.
Your analysis, which integrates spatial statistics and decision tree algorithms, provides valuable insights into the factors influencing the location of these businesses.
The article discusses how private gambling establishments tend to concentrate in specific areas, while public outlets are more evenly distributed. The identification of key variables such as population density and demographic characteristics adds depth to the study and offers a solid foundation for further research.
To enhance the manuscript, it would be helpful to expand on the regulatory framework that enabled the increase in gambling establishments prior to 2022. A more detailed discussion of how the lack of regulation influenced location strategies and how recent legislation might have altered these patterns could provide additional context. Furthermore, exploring the broader social and economic implications of these spatial concentrations would strengthen the conclusions and offer more actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Additionally, I recommend reviewing certain English expressions in the manuscript. For example, the phrase "could result in a larger number" might be revised to "could lead to an increase in the number of" for greater clarity and accuracy.
Author Response
I have read your article, "Spatial clusters of the gambling outlets. A machine learning tree-based algorithm," with interest. The topic is timely and relevant, particularly for its focus on the spatial and temporal dynamics of gambling establishments in Madrid. Your analysis, which integrates spatial statistics and decision tree algorithms, provides valuable insights into the factors influencing the location of these businesses. The article discusses how private gambling establishments tend to concentrate in specific areas, while public outlets are more evenly distributed. The identification of key variables such as population density and demographic characteristics adds depth to the study and offers a solid foundation for further research.
Answer: Dear Referee, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the time and effort you invested in reviewing my scientific article. Your insights and suggestions have been incredibly valuable, and I genuinely appreciate the critical eye you brought to the evaluation process. Your feedback has helped me to improve my work significantly, and I am grateful for your thoughtful and constructive comments.
To enhance the manuscript, it would be helpful to expand on the regulatory framework that enabled the increase in gambling establishments prior to 2022. A more detailed discussion of how the lack of regulation influenced location strategies and how recent legislation might have altered these patterns could provide additional context.
Answer: Thank you for your comment. In the new version of the manuscript, we have included a new section (Section 3) which discusses the evolution of changes in the legislation regarding the regulation of the location of gambling establishments. This will help understand the reasons behind the increase in the number of gambling establishments, which is indirectly related to the formation of spatial clusters. We hope that this new section will help provide a better understanding of the temporal evolution of the number of gambling establishments
Furthermore, exploring the broader social and economic implications of these spatial concentrations would strengthen the conclusions and offer more actionable recommendations for policymakers.
Answer: Thank you for your feedback. In the final conclusions, we have added a paragraph emphasizing the validity of the study in terms of its relevance to future legislative actions aimed at protecting sensitive areas and centers, as we have included a more precise and specific scale than the one stipulated by the current legislation.
Additionally, I recommend reviewing certain English expressions in the manuscript. For example, the phrase "could result in a larger number" might be revised to "could lead to an increase in the number of" for greater clarity and accuracy.
Answer: done
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics of gambling outlets, which has important theoretical significance and application value. The shortcomings lie in:
1. It is suggested to analyze the key driving factors affecting the spatial distribution of gambling outlets according to the actual situation of the municipality of Madrid.
2. It is suggested to increase identification measurement.
3. It is suggested to add a discussion chapter to discuss the limitations of the method and the application value of the research conclusions.
Author Response
This study analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics of gambling outlets, which has important theoretical significance and application value.
Answer: Dear Referee, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the time and effort you invested in reviewing my scientific article. Your insights and suggestions have been incredibly valuable, and I genuinely appreciate the critical eye you brought to the evaluation process. Your feedback has helped me to improve my work significantly, and I am grateful for your thoughtful and constructive comments.
We will address your concerns point by point below.
It is suggested to analyze the key driving factors affecting the spatial distribution of gambling outlets according to the actual situation of the municipality of Madrid.
Answer: We appreciate this suggestion. We have included a new section (section 3) in the manuscript, where the evolution of the spatial distribution of gambling establishments and the current situation in Madrid are discussed in detail. This section analyzes how legislative changes have influenced the location of these venues over time. The main regulatory changes that have affected the expansion of gaming halls and betting houses are highlighted, providing a framework for understanding how legislation has shaped the geographical configuration of these establishments in the urban and social context of the region.
It is suggested to increase identification measurement.
Answer: Thank you for this suggestion. While we recognize the value of increasing the identification measurement, our study focuses on the socioeconomic factors related to the cluster formation of gambling outlets. Expanding the identification measurement would require additional data, a different methodology, or resources beyond the scope of this study. Nevertheless, we believe our current approach provides robust insights into the topic of gambling cluster formation. We hope to address this aspect in future work.
It is suggested to add a discussion chapter to discuss the limitations of the method and the application value of the research conclusions.
Answer: Thank you for this comment. We have included a new paragraph in the conclusions section where we highlight the limitations of the methodology used in this research.
