When the game doesnt end: Understanding gambling addiction in a tech-driven world

Under current law, online gambling operators fall under Swedish jurisdiction if they target the Swedish market. This so-called “riktningskriteriet”, or “directional criterion,” relies on visible cues – such as use of the Swedish language, local currency (SEK), or Swedish branding – to establish intent. « The goal is not to stop gambling entirely, » says Massachusetts state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, a cosponsor of the bill. Massachusetts’ first casino opened in 2015, and as the gaming industry grew, the state developed what it calls a « responsible gaming » program, funded by a surtax on gambling industry profits. A mounted screen cycles through messages such as « Keep sports betting fun. Set a budget and stick to it. »

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According to Hoffstedt, a big issue is also that unlicensed operators are sophisticated enough to mimic the branding of legal operators, so that even well-meaning consumers are gambling on illegal sites without knowing it. Hoffstedt supports the shift to a participation-based model, but his optimism is measured. The reform, he estimates, might improve channelisation – but not enough to meaningfully stem the flow of Swedish players to unlicensed sites and barely making a dent in the current leakage to the unlicensed market.

Most of the studies (10/14) that conducted experiments to test harm-reduction messages and/or product warning labels purposively recruited participants who regularly engaged in gambling. Seven studies reported the gambling profile of their participant pool, using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, a self-reported screening tool available for use with the general population (Smith & Wynne, 2002). Three studies reported on findings related to problem gamblers; of these, only one study (Orazi et al., 2015) reported on the differential impact of message framing between non-problem (recreational) and problem gamblers. For this research, we defined public health gambling messaging as messaging with a focus on the primary prevention of GRH.

Finally, our sample selection criteria imply that our findings reflect trends in newly liberalising markets and could be less representative of more mature ones. Further research on a bigger sample of jurisdictions, including those that witnessed substantial regulatory shifts (without changes in the legal provision of gambling), could address these limitations. Providing clear information about long-term risks and harms along with appropriate tone is more likely to encourage reduction in gambling.

This was unsurprising because research on whole population-level messaging as part of a public health approach to gambling has only recently begun to emerge. The limited evidence we found supports the learning from other public health areas that campaigns that are well-funded and long-term (more sustained and greater intensity) and independent of the industry are more likely to be effective (Stead et al., 2019). Evidence about messaging aimed at the general population for the prevention of GRH is currently limited.

Even before the marriage of online gaming and cellphones, researchers had estimated 1% to 2% of Americans already had a gambling disorder, and another 8%of people were at risk of developing one. Earlier this year, a report published in the medical journal The Lancet called on international health leaders to act quickly on regulations before gambling disorders become widespread and common, and that much harder to stop. Since then, Massachusetts has put in place additional regulations on a booming industry that now includes widespread sports betting. For example, there’s no betting on Massachusetts college teams, and no gambling by credit card.

• One reason the industry’s approach is « ethically and scientifically flawed » is that it puts all the blame and responsibility on individuals with a gambling disorder, Levant says.
• Lastly, when considering warning labels, again the existing empirical evidence is very limited.
• Additionally, limiting the searches for studies involving recipients 11 years old or more may have excluded relevant studies addressing harm reduction for children younger than 11 years old.
• Rather than going to a casino or going to a convenience store to buy a lottery ticket, you now can make wagers by simply pressing buttons on your phone.

March is designated as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), an international grassroots event designed to increase awareness about gambling disorder and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Just like substance use disorders, gambling addiction isn’t about willpower; it’s a complex mental health condition rooted in biology. Understanding this connection helps us view gambling addiction with the same compassion and seriousness as other addictions. A former lawyer, Levant was convicted in 2015 for stealing clients’ money to fund his betting habit.

The proposal would redefine which gambling services fall under Swedish law, significantly expand the administrative tools available to regulators, and shift responsibility for compliance from the state to the operators. But the long-awaited update is unlikely to solve some of the market’s deeper-rooted struggles relating to the proliferation of illegal gambling. To learn more about Problem Gambling Awareness Month and access tools for increasing awareness of problem gambling, please visit /pgam. States may even be tempted by the promise of additional revenues from new types of gambling, such as « i-gaming. » That refers to online versions of roulette, blackjack and other casino-style games, playable at any hour, from the comfort of your own home. Federal standards would be a « slap in the face » to state regulators, says Joe Maloney, a spokesperson for the American Gaming Association. If they succeed, they give customers brochures with the state’s gambling helpline number and website.

Gambling Product Risk Warning Labels

Outside the casinos, GameSense is marketed on social media and on sportsbook apps and websites. Meanwhile, the state’s Department of Public Health puts its own moderation messages on buses and billboards. These kinds of technological advancements have led to concerning trends in how quickly people are developing gambling problems. Previously people would gamble for years or even decades before feeling the need to see health professionals for help.

In states with limited or no infrastructure, people in need of services are unlikely to be screened; if they are, their treatment options are limited to whatever is covered through their insurance providers. Since BIPOC folks are less likely than their White counterparts to have sufficient health care coverage, this further widens health inequities. The evidence (derived mainly from experimental laboratory-based research) shows that existing industry-sponsored ‘safer’ gambling messages do not change gambling behaviours.

One study (Walker et al., 2019) found that judgments (about maximising chances of winning) in scratch card gambling were improved by presenting the payback percentage information (representing the true monetary value of a card) in a graphical format as opposed to a numerical format. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to mitigate gambling-related harm. The organization works to improve health and wellness by reducing the personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling.

The NCPG also provides a PGAM Toolkit, offering resources that help organizations and individuals participate effectively in the awareness campaign. Besides, all licensed casinos and sports betting platforms are also required to spread online gambling awareness messages. Their websites provide helpful tools like deposit limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion programs. In addition to the national hotline, gambling support is available through various online and in-person community services. Local responsible gaming organizations, such as the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey or the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, provide free resources. During these events, experts will share insights on addiction, harm reduction, prevention, and recovery.

The TTM highlights the need for awareness and sufficiently motivating beliefs and attitudes prior to individuals’ developing an intention to take action(s) to change their behaviours. There is evidence that appropriate messaging (in terms of content, channel, etc.) can influence both these determinants and an individual’s decision-making concerning engagement (Wakefield et al., 2010). However, it is important to acknowledge that messaging alone is unlikely to change intentions and behaviours. Decisions are context-dependent, and an individual is always subject to a wide range of environmental and contextual influences (e.g. advertising; accessibility of gambling products and premises) (Livingstone et al., 2019).

Our examination of countries introducing major legislative changes between 2018 and 2021 also highlighted regional differences. In Europe, legislation introduced greater regulatory restrictions, and a somewhat greater (although not universal) focus on system-frame approaches. However, in countries such as the USA, where the focus is on legalising markets for the first time, a greater dominance of individual framing of the problem and its solutions is apparent. The difference is likely to be related to market maturity, especially in online gambling. We found that changing the provision of online gambling is often accompanied with a greater focus on individual—rather than systemic—prevention measures. Nationally, research suggests that 1-2% of the U.S. adult population struggles with gambling addiction, equating to 2-4 million people.

As a result, surveys have shown a 30% increase in player awareness regarding responsible gambling https://gullybetofficial.com/ practices. The global efforts to prevent gambling addiction highlight the power of innovation, regulation, and community collaboration. From self-exclusion tools and AI-driven monitoring to public awareness campaigns and grassroots engagement, these innovative measures collectively pave the way for a safer gambling landscape. In Kenya, where the betting industry is rapidly growing, authorities are implementing stringent age verification systems. These systems require users to provide valid identification before participating to comply with legal age restrictions.

Participants will also hear personal stories from individuals who have experienced addiction and will be able to connect with community organizations that provide support. Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) is held annually in March and aims to increase public awareness of the topic. Various initiatives promote prevention and gambling addiction treatment during these four weeks. VM and JN carried out initial inductive coding of the VIXIO database for all available countries and territories.