Researchers from CQUniversity in Australia have found that positive responsible-gambling messages are more likely to help people manage their online betting behavior.
According to the Shepparton News, the research follows evidence that online punters are more likely to experience gambling harms than other consumers.
The university’s Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL), funded by Gambling Research Australia (GRA), found that participants in an online trial rated positive RG messages as the most helpful and easy to understand.
The five-week trial sent random messages to more than 2,000 regular sports and race consumers. It measured impacts on the amounts they bet, the time they spent betting and the overall gambling harms experienced.
They included positive messages like, “Betting less lets you spend more money on the important people in your life.” The trial also included control-based messages like, “Only bet what you can afford,” and norm-based information including, “Most people who gamble bet $10 a week or less.”
Research leader and EGRL Director Professor Matthew Rockloff said participants reduced the money and time they spent on gambling over the five-week course of their participation.
“Over the decades, we’ve observed that people with gambling problems rarely seek help, and research shows perceived social stigma and feelings of shame are driving that reluctance,” Rockloff said. “Negative advertisements showing people hitting rock bottom, being confronted by their angry families, and operating in the shadows with ominous music. Those images risk contributing to their stigma and shame and ultimately may prevent people seeking help.
“We believe it is likely the messages prompted self-reflection for the participants, especially when they related to having control over their expenses.”
This research aims to provide evidence-based nationally consistent gambling messaging that is more effective.
In related news, the same researchers have found bet limits can help keep Australia’s online gamblers out of hot water, but the majority of consumers aren’t using the money-saving mechanism.
In a new study funded by Gambling Research Australia (GRA), experts at CQUniversity’s Experimental Gambling Research Laboratory (EGRL) found consumers are not always prompted to use the betting limit option. The new research further suggests making the scheme mandatory and capping maximum limits would strengthen harm prevention.
Researchers surveyed more than 3,000 regular race and sports bettors and found 41 percent had set a deposit limit, but more than half considered themselves ‘unlikely’ to set one. Those participants who set limits found them very useful, with a quarter finding the intervention prevented overspending at least once a week.
Since mid-2019, Australian online betting agencies have been required to let consumers set deposit limits for their online gambling, and to regularly prompt users about setting up or reviewing their limits.
Lead author and CQUniversity Research Professor Nerilee Hing, said consumers had a choice of limits with some operators. Research found deposit restrictions were the most popular, followed by an overall spend limit, a single bet amount limit, and a loss limit. A limit on the time spent gambling was the least popular among participants, with just 22 per cent switching on the clock.
“We also looked at what type of person was more likely to set limits. Of those with more serious gambling problems, 45.6 per cent were setting at least one limit,” Professor Hing said.
“This is encouraging, however as this group benefits the most from opt-in limits, the fact that more than half aren’t taking that option suggests there’s still a need to address why people are unwilling to limit their betting.”
Professor Hing and her team then presented participants with a series of tailored messages about bet limits and tested these in a randomized trial with more than 1,200 regular consumers.
Across the four-week trial, limit setting increased among participants, with 32 per cent adopting at least one type of limit. Those with a severe gambling problem were significantly more likely to set a limit.
“The study showed that prompt messages need to be consistent to allow gamblers to self-reflect. Then we see better uptake of limits,” Professor Hing said.
