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Fortier MÈ, Audette-Chapdelaine S, Auger AM, Brodeur M. Nudge theory and gambling: a scoping review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1377183. [PMID: 38915754 PMCID: PMC11194330 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1377183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Gambling disorder (GD) is a pressing public health concern with significant societal costs. The recently developed nudge theory, which is rooted in behavioral economics, aims to influence the decision-making behaviors of individuals by implementing changes in the environment. Aim This scoping review aims to synthesize the literature on nudge theory as it relates to gambling. Methods This scoping review accords with the Arksey and O'Malley framework, as refined by Levac et al. It includes only articles from peer-reviewed journals that focus, as main themes, on both nudge theory and gambling. The final study selection includes six articles. Results The scoping review process led to studies explaining how (1) nudges aim to prod people toward healthier gambling choices, fostering the adoption of more responsible gambling practices, and (2) some gambling features, called dark nudges (or sludges), exploit and harm the decision-making processes of people who gamble. Conclusion This scoping review highlights the fact that many stakeholders are involved in the field of gambling, and that better cooperation between them would promote safer and more responsible gambling practices. Future research is also needed to empirically test nudges to develop a better understanding of their impact on those who gamble.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Ève Fortier
- Department of Psychology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Anne-Marie Auger
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Magaly Brodeur
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Lakew N, Jonsson J, Lindner P. Towards an Active Role of Financial Institutions in Preventing Problem Gambling: A Proposed Conceptual Framework and Taxonomy of Financial Wellbeing Indicators. J Gambl Stud 2024:10.1007/s10899-024-10312-8. [PMID: 38767773 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-024-10312-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The transformation of gambling into a largely digital commodity has created a need for online payment technologies to facilitate online gambling, thereby also raising the question of what role these actors can play in the promotion of Responsible Gambling (RG). With the means and access they maintain, financial institutions are in a unique position to alleviate financial pitfalls, yet their role in the gambling context has thus far received little scrutiny. The objective of this study was to conduct an extant literature review to develop an initial set of financial indicators tailored for financial institutions, enabling them to engage in the RG initiatives. We conducted a two-step narrative literature review to identify both general Financial Well-Being (FWB) indicators across financial research disciplines, and one specific to gambling. A literature search over the past 20 years was performed across the following academic databases: Medline (Ovid), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), Web of Science (Clarivate), and PsycInfo (EBSCO). Manifest content analysis was used in step one to review general financial well-being, yielding a general FWB conceptual framework. In step two, we applied latent content analysis to the gambling-specific literature, linking essential concepts of gambling-related financial harms to the broader FWB literature. This resulted in a tentative taxonomy of indicators applicable to financial institutions with gambling customers. In tandem with the FWB conceptual framework, the preliminary taxonomy could provide a foundation for financial institutions catering to gambling customers to engage in the duty of care agenda, potentially broadening player protection beyond the current operator-focused RG measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Lakew
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jakob Jonsson
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Lindner
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wheaton J, Ford B, Nairn A, Collard S. Towards a conceptual framework for the prevention of gambling-related harms: Findings from a scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298005. [PMID: 38517885 PMCID: PMC10959398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The global gambling sector has grown significantly over recent years due to liberal deregulation and digital transformation. Likewise, concerns around gambling-related harms-experienced by individuals, their families, their local communities or societies-have also developed, with growing calls that they should be addressed by a public health approach. A public health approach towards gambling-related harms requires a multifaceted strategy, comprising initiatives promoting health protection, harm minimization and health surveillance across different strata of society. However, there is little research exploring how a public health approach to gambling-related harms can learn from similar approaches to other potentially harmful but legal sectors such as the alcohol sector, the tobacco sector, and the high in fat, salt and sugar product sector. Therefore, this paper presents a conceptual framework that was developed following a scoping review of public health approaches towards the above sectors. Specifically, we synthesize strategies from each sector to develop an overarching set of public health goals and strategies which-when interlinked and incorporated with a socio-ecological model-can be deployed by a range of stakeholders, including academics and treatment providers, to minimise gambling-related harms. We demonstrate the significance of the conceptual framework by highlighting its use in mapping initiatives as well as unifying stakeholders towards the minimization of gambling-related harms, and the protection of communities and societies alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Wheaton
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Ford
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Psychological Sciences, School of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- The Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Agnes Nairn
- University of Bristol Business School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Collard
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Auer M, Griffiths MD. Nudging Online Gamblers to Withdraw Money: The Impact of Personalized Messages on Money Withdrawal Among a Sample of Real-World Online Casino Players. J Gambl Stud 2023:10.1007/s10899-023-10276-1. [PMID: 38110761 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10276-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
A number of scholars have argued that online gambling can be more problematic than land-based gambling. Motivating gamblers to withdraw money from their online gambling account could lower losses because there would be less money available to lose. Therefore, the present study investigated whether personalized messages are an effective way of 'nudging' gamblers to withdraw money from their online gambling account. The authors were given access to a secondary dataset by Nederlandse Loterij (the national Dutch Lottery operator) comprising 4049 online gamblers. Two types of messages were used to 'nudge' gamblers to withdraw money from their gambling account (i.e., a 'winning streak' message and a 'withdrawal' message). The findings indicated that (i) 38% of gamblers reading the 'winning streak' messages withdrew money from their gambling account on the same day, and (ii) 18% of gamblers reading the 'withdrawal' messages withdrew money from their gambling account on the same day. Gamblers who read personalized messages also withdrew larger amounts of money from their gambling accounts compared to gamblers who did not read personalized messages. The findings suggest that the personalized messages can have an impact on both the likelihood to withdraw money as well as the amount of money which was withdrawn and could help reduce gambling-related harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Auer
- Neccton GmbH, Gertrude-Fröhlich-Sandner-Strasse, 21100, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK.
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Arden-Close E, Thomas S, Bush-Evans R, Wang R, Bolat E, Hodge S, Phalp K, McAlaney J. Social norms and goal-setting interventions to promote responsible gambling in low-to-moderate online gamblers: protocol for a four-arm randomised controlled feasibility study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065400. [PMID: 36918233 PMCID: PMC10016264 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gambling is increasingly recognised as an important public health issue. Problem gambling is associated with highly negative impacts on physical, psychological and social well-being, not only for those who gamble but also for those around them. There has been a rapid expansion of internet gambling and attributes such as continuous play and instant rewards, and enhanced privacy may lead to a greater likelihood of gambling-related harms. In this randomised controlled feasibility study, we are testing (1) the acceptability and feasibility of three online responsible gambling interventions targeting people with low-to-moderate risk of online problem gambling and (2) the feasibility of a future full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Four-arm randomised controlled feasibility study with qualitative substudy. One-hundred and forty UK residents with low-to-moderate risk of online gambling recruited via gambling operators and social media will be randomised (1:1:1:1) to either (1) goal setting, (2) descriptive norms messages (challenge perceptions of peer behaviours), (3) injunctive norms messages (challenge perceptions of peer attitudes) and (4) control (delayed intervention). Interventions will be delivered over 6 weeks and individually tailored. Outcomes, administered online, will be measured at baseline, 7 weeks, and 3 and 6 months post randomisation (including gambling risk behaviours and cognitions, anxiety and depression, quality of life, health use and productivity). Analyses will be descriptive, focusing on feasibility and acceptability of the interventions and study procedures. Telephone/online interviews, with a subsample of approximately 30 participants, will elicit experiences of participating in the study. Prespecified progression criteria will guide decisions around whether to progress to a definitive RCT. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval obtained from Bournemouth University Research Ethics Committee (reference number 33247). Participants will be given a participant information sheet plus a 'Key Facts' summary and will provide informed online consent. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences and public engagement events. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN37874344.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Arden-Close
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Reece Bush-Evans
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Ruijie Wang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Elvira Bolat
- Bournemouth University Business School, Faculty of Management, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Sarah Hodge
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Keith Phalp
- Department of Computing and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - John McAlaney
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
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Scandroglio F, Ferrazzi G, Giacobazzi A, Vinci V, Marchi M, Galeazzi GM, Musetti A, Pingani L. Prevalence and Possible Predictors of Gambling Disorder in a Sample of Students in the Healthcare Professions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:452. [PMID: 36612781 PMCID: PMC9819379 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The Italian version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen questionnaire (SOGS) and a socio-demographic questionnaire were administered to a sample of 275 healthcare professions students aged 19 to 58 years (mean age = 22.17; females = 81.1%) to address the research objectives: to examine the prevalence and correlates of problem gambling in a population of university healthcare professions students in Italy. Among the sample, 8.7% (n = 24) of participants showed problem gambling and 1.5% (n = 4) pathologic gambling. Lottery and scratch cards were the most frequent type of gambling in the sample, followed by cards and bingo. Compared to females, males tend to be more involved in problem gambling and pathological gambling. Males tend to be more involved than females in different types of gambling (such as cards, sports bets, gambling at the casino). Pathological gambling is positively associated with gender, being students lagging behind the regular schedule of exams and parents' level of education. These findings have important implications in terms of prevention and intervention on gambling and pathological gambling. Universities should make available educational programs and counselling services to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Scandroglio
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Ferrazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giacobazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Vera Vinci
- Dipartimento ad attività integrata di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze Patologiche, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Mattia Marchi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Dipartimento ad attività integrata di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze Patologiche, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Galeazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Dipartimento ad attività integrata di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze Patologiche, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Musetti
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Pingani
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Dipartimento ad attività integrata di Salute Mentale e Dipendenze Patologiche, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Direzione delle Professioni Sanitarie, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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