Facilitating Player Control in Gambling

Abstract

Research indicates that gamblers frequently set self-imposed limits on how much time and money they wish to gamble in a given gambling session, yet consistently gamble more than initially intended. The emotional and arousing impact of gambling, as well as dissociative states gamblers experience whilst gambling, may contribute to this behavioural shift which reflects a failure in self-control. Essential then, is the need for harm minimisation strategies aimed at allowing a gambler to stay in control of their decisions and behaviour during gambling, whilst concurrently limiting the negative impact this may have on the gambling experience for those who frequently stay in control. The following article evaluates the use of limit setting and pre-commitment, the use of ‘cooling off’ periods, and restricting access to additional funds as harm minimisation strategies, in terms of their efficacy in facilitating self-control in problem and non-problem gambling populations. As with any potential mass intervention, such as the use of mandatory limit setting, the need for robust empirical evidence to prove its efficacy is essential. Existing research, while providing promise, falls short of this criterion, indicating a requirement for more stringent empirical research to best guide responsible gambling practices aimed at facilitating player control during gambling.

An experimental study to examine whether and how Flemish and Dutch harm prevention messages on gambling advertising affect consumers’ gambling-related beliefs and intentions.

“…Most of the harm prevention messages that are currently implemented on gambling advertising can be considered messages that promote the concept of responsible gambling (Mouneyrac et al, 2017). Harm prevention messages should encourage safer gambling behavior by, for example, reminding players to set (monetary or time) limits or plan cooling-off periods, or by encouraging self-awareness (Blaszczynski et al, 2014). However, existing prevention messages on gambling advertising often merely allude to consumers’ responsibility.…”

Exposición de jóvenes y adolescentes a la publicidad de los juegos de azar: una revisión sistemática

“…Additionally, advertisements appear as insertions in free gaming apps for mobile phones (Rubio, 2018). Blaszczynski, Parke, Harris, Parkes, and Rigbye (2014) highlight that SM will play an increasingly important role in the gambling marketing, seeking emotional reactions which lead to the players sharing this information in their private networks.…”

A Systematic Review on Intervention Treatment in Pathological Gambling

“…One example is the proposal of “forced breaks” as a means to regulate impulsive gambling, under the assumption that some gamblers may experience a sense of helplessness or detachment when confronting addiction (e.g., Broda et al [ 59 ]). Additionally, alternative approaches have been explored, such as implementing a restricted budget for discretionary spending [ 60 ], utilizing behavioral tracking tools [ 61 ], employing push messages [ 62 ], incorporating human–computer interaction and behavioral-science-enhanced intervention tools [ 63 ], and promoting responsible marketing [ 64 ].…”

“…However, the majority of tools align with Blaszczynski et al’s [ 64 ] concept of a “gambling operator-based approach”, designed with a more specific purpose and audience in mind. However, as casinos expand their operations to the online domain, the involvement of third-party entities in gambling activities, such as payment gateways (digital platforms facilitating online financial transactions), has increased.…”