A Critical Review of the Harm-Minimisation Tools Available for Electronic Gambling.

Harris, Andrew; Griffiths, Mark; Griffiths, Mark D

The increasing sophistication of gambling products afforded by electronic technologies facilitates increased accessibility to gambling, as well as encouraging rapid and continuous play. This poses several challenges from a responsible gambling perspective, in terms of facilitating player self-awareness and self-control. The same technological advancements in gambling that may facilitate a loss of control may also be used to provide responsible gambling tools and solutions to reduce gambling-related harm. Indeed, several harm-minimisation strategies have been devised that aim to facilitate self-awareness and self-control within a gambling session. Such strategies include the use of breaks in play, 'pop-up' messaging, limit setting, and behavioural tracking. The present paper reviews the theoretical argument underpinning the application of specific harm-minimisation tools, as well as providing one of the first critical reviews of the empirical research assessing their efficacy, in terms of influencing gambling cognitions and behaviour.

GAMBLING behavior; HARM reduction; SELF-consciousness (Awareness); COGNITION; BEHAVIORAL assessment; COMPULSIVE behavior; GAMBLING & psychology; VIDEO games & psychology; GAMBLING; LOCUS of control; RISK-taking behavior; SELF-perception; PREVENTION

Journal of Gambling Studies, 2017, Vol 33, Issue 1, p187

1050-5350

Academic Journal

10.1007/s10899-016-9624-8