Harm-minimisation strategies aim to reduce gambling-related risks; however, minimal evidence supports the effectiveness of current strategies involving the placement of warning signs in gambling venues and on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). This qualitative replication study evaluated the differential effect of pop-up messages compared to static signs, and the content of messages on EGMs on recall, thoughts and behaviours assessed during the session and at two-week follow-up. In study one, 127 regular EGM gamblers (male = 97, mean age = 20.3) recruited from a university student population attended a laboratory where they were randomly assigned to play a computerbased simulated EGM analogue displaying signs that differed by (a) mode of presentation (pop-up and static) and (b) message content (informative, self-appraisal, and control/blank). In study two, an identical methodology was used but carried out in an invivo gaming setting with 124 regular EGM players (male = 81, mean age = 44.1). Results from both studies showed that pop-up messages were recalled more effectively than static messages immediately and at two-week follow-up. Pop-up messages reportedly had a significantly greater impact on within-session thoughts and behaviors. Messages encouraging self-appraisal resulted in significantly greater effect on self-reported thoughts and behaviors during both the experimental session and in subsequent EGM play. These findings support the effectiveness of pop-up messages containing selfappraisal messages as an appropriate harm-minimisation initiative.

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With the proliferation and acceptance of gambling in society, gambling advertisements have become increasingly prominent. Despite attempts to protect minors from harm by prohibiting them from engaging in most forms of gambling, there are few restrictions on the marketing of gambling products. Evidence of high rates of gambling and associated problems amongst youth indicates that the issue of youth gambling must be addressed to minimise harm. This paper aims to examine the current marketing techniques used to promote gambling and how they affect youth. The effect of multiple forms of advertisements will be discussed, including advertising placement in the media, point-ofsale displays, sports sponsorship, promotional products, celebrity endorsements, advertisements using Internet and wireless technology, and content which may appeal to or mislead children. Based on research in gambling and other public health domains, including tobacco, alcohol, and junk food advertising, recommendations are made for appropriate regulations for gambling advertisements to minimise the potential harms.

Objective. To examine the relationship between physical appearance concerns and psychological distress in patients with rheumatic diseases. Methods. A total of 60 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 44 with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 53 with recent-onset RA were evaluated for levels of appearance concern and a range of illness-specific measures to determine how these demographic and clinical variables were related to the dependent variable psychological distress. Results. Using hierarchical multiple regression analyses, we found that both appearance concerns and levels of disability were predictive of depression in patients with RA. In the SLE sample, physical disability was predictive of depression when appearance concerns were not included in the analysis. However, disability did not predict depression when appearance concerns were entered into the analysis. This indicates that appearance concerns mediated the relationship between disability and depression in SLE. There was no association between appearance concerns and anxiety in either sample. Conclusion. The results suggest that appearance concerns are strongly related to depression in patients with rheumatic diseases and should be routinely assessed.

Warning signs have been applied extensively in many health domains with the aim to enhance knowledge and shift attitudes and behaviours in an effort to reduce associated harm. More recently, regulatory agencies have applied similar strategies within evolving responsible gambling platforms. The effectiveness of these signs is influenced by both their physical attributes and content. Gambling warning signs traditionally focus on informing individuals of the potentially risky outcomes of gambling and the odds of winning, encourage gambling within affordable limits, and/or advertise counselling services. The limited evidence suggests that, similar to alcohol and tobacco, warning signs in gambling attract attention and improve knowledge but are generally ineffective in modifying player's thoughts and behaviours. This paper therefore aims to review the relevant literature to determine the optimal content of messages that will enhance responsible gambling practices. It is concluded that, in contrast to signs displaying probabilities or informing players of the risks associated with gambling, signs designed to encourage players to reflect on, appraise, evaluate and self-regulate their actions have greater theoretical and empirical support. It is recommended that warning signs should promote the application of self-appraisal and self-regulation skills rather than the simple provision of information on odds and probabilities to maximize their effectiveness as a public health tool.