Impact of Mode of Display and Message Content of Responsible Gambling Signs for Electronic Gaming Machines on Regular Gamblers

2014

J Gambl Stud

This study is one of the first to explore in detail the behaviors, attitudes and motivations of players that show no signs of at-risk or problem gambling behavior (so-called 'positive players'). Via an online survey, 1484 positive players were compared with 209 problem players identified using the Lie/Bet screen. The study identified two distinct groups of positive players defined according to their motivations to play and their engagement with responsible gambling practices. Those positive players that played most frequently employed the most personal responsible gambling strategies.Reasons that positive players gave for gambling were focused on leisure (e.g., playing for fun, being entertained, and/or winning a prize). By contrast, problem gamblers were much more focused upon modifying mood states (e.g., excitement, relaxation, depression and playing when bored or upset).The present study suggests that online gambling is not, by default, inherently riskier than gambling in more traditional ways, as online gambling was the most popular media by which positive players gambled. Furthermore, most positive players reported that it was easier to stick to their limits when playing the National Lottery online compared to traditional retail purchasing of tickets. Problem players were significantly more likely than positive players to gamble with family and friends, suggesting that, contrary to a popular RG message, social play may not be inherently safer than gambling alone. It is proposed that players (generally) may identify more with the term 'positive play' than the term 'responsible gambling' which is frequently interpreted as being aimed at people with gambling problems, rather than all players.

Section: "Responsible Gambling Refers To Policies and Practices Desigmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Positive Play: An Exploration of Playing Experiences and Responsible Gambling Practices

Wood¹,

2014

J Gambl Stud

“…Several studies have shown that interactive message and animated information are more efficacy in changing irrational belied patterns and behavior than static message (Auer & Griffiths, 2015;Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010). Social psychological models also highlight that personal attitudes and normative perceptions can be predictors of behavioral 4 intentions in disordered gambling (Larimer & Neighbors, 2003;Moore & Ohtsuka, 1999).…”

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confidence: 99%

The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: A preliminary randomized study

Canale

Vieno

Computers in Human Behavior

et al. 2016

. The efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for high school students: A preliminary randomized study. Computers in Human Behavior, 55, 946-954. AbstractEarly onset in adolescent gambling involvement can be a precipitator of later gambling problemsThe aim of the present study was to test the preliminary efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for students within a high school-based setting. Students attending a high school in Italy (N = 168) participated in the present study (58% male -age, M = 15.01; SD = 0.60).Twelve classes were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: intervention (N = 6; 95 students) and control group (N = 6; 73 students). Both groups received personalized feedback and then the intervention group received online training (interactive activities) for three weeks. At a two-month follow-up, students in the intervention group reported a reduction in gambling problems relative to those in the control group. However, there were no differences in gambling frequency, gambling expenditure, and attitudes toward the profitability of gambling between the two groups. In addition, frequent gamblers (i.e., those that gambled at least once a week at baseline) showed reductions in gambling problems and gambling frequency post-intervention. Frequent gamblers that only received personalized feedback showed significantly less realistic attitudes toward the profitability of gambling post-intervention. The present study is the first controlled study to test the preliminary efficacy of a web-based gambling intervention program for students within a high school-based setting. The results indicate that a brief web-based intervention delivered in the school setting may be a potentially promising strategy for a low-threshold, low-cost, preventive tool for at-risk gambling high school students. KeywordsGambling; High school; Web-based intervention; Personalized feedback; Online activities 2 IntroductionYouth problem gambling has become an emerging public health issue in many countries (e.g., King, Delfabbro, Kaptsis, & Zwaans, 2014; Molinaro et al., 2014a), and a recent Italian study (Molinaro, Potente, & Cutilli, 2014) estimated a past-year problem gambling prevalence rate of 7.5% among high school students (ages 15-19 years). Although there is an age limit of 18 years for gambling in Italy, 44% of students (aged between 15 and 19 years) reported having engaged in some form of gambling during the past year (Molinaro et al., 2014b). In addition, problem gambling among high school students has been associated with significant health and psychosocial problems (Blinn-Pike, Worthy, & Jonkman, 2010). Gambling becomes a problem 1 when gamblers lose control and cause harms to themselves, their family, friend or society (Ferris & Wynne, 2001; Neal, Delfabbro & O'Neil, 2005).Gambling from an early age is associated with more severe gambling behaviors (Granero et al., 2014) and may predict depression, substance use disorders, and other psychiatric concerns in adulthood (Grant, Potenza, Weinstei...

“…In short, the following responsible gambling features were deemed relevant for consideration to online poker gambling: informed player choice (Blaszczynski et al, 2005;, voluntary self--exclusion (Griffiths et al, 2009), employee training (Giroux et al, 2009), pre--commitment (limit--setting) Blaszczynski et al, 2014), in--game feedback (messaging) , player intervention and personalised feedback Cloutier et al, 2006;Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010), and age restriction and verification . Blaszczynski et al (2005) argued that without informed player choice (IPC), responsible gambling is not feasible and that determining what information must be presented to individuals to make informed gambling choices must be based upon scientific research rather than common sense evaluations.…”

Section: Conceptualisation Of Responsible Gambling Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In response, there have been significant attempts to develop interruptions to dissociative states when gambling via the use of pop--up messaging (Auer & Griffiths, 2015a;Auer, Malischnig & Griffiths, 2014;Blaszczynski et al, 2014;Cloutier et al, 2006;Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010;Wohl et al, 2014).…”

Section: In--game Feedback ('Pop Up' Messaging)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying risk and mitigating gambling-related harm in online poker

Parke

Journal of Risk Research

2016

The present paper conducts a critical analysis of the potential for gambling--related harm in relation to online poker participation, and a theoretical evaluation of current responsible gambling strategies employed to mitigate harm in online poker gambling. Theoretically, the primary risk for harm in online poker is the rapid and continuous nature of poker provisions online, and has been demonstrated to be associated with disordered gambling behaviour, including the chasing of monetary losses. The following responsible gambling features were deemed relevant for consideration: informed player choice, voluntary self--exclusion, employee intervention, pre--commitment, in--game feedback, behavioural tracking tools, and age restriction and verification.Although current responsible gambling features are evaluated as theoretically robust, there remains a fundamental need for experimental validation of their effectiveness. Furthermore, despite online poker gamblers perceiving the responsible gambling features as valuable tools, in reality very few players regularly use available responsible gambling features. Ultimately, for the online poker gambling industry to retain market credibility and avoid substantial top--down regulation, it is imperative to demonstrate effectiveness of responsible gambling approaches, and increase customer utilisation of available harm--mitigation features.