Clear principles are needed for integrity in gambling research.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Economics

Background:

• Commercial gambling is rapidly expanding globally.
• Gambling research lags behind, focusing on prevalence and individual treatments rather than systemic factors.
• Societal understanding of gambling harms is limited due to a lack of sophisticated research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for a more comprehensive research agenda in gambling studies.
• To address the political, economic, and technological underpinnings of commercial gambling.
• To propose principles for restoring integrity and transparency in gambling research.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the current state of gambling research.
• Identification of industry influence on research agendas and academic practices.
• Proposal of five core principles for ethical gambling research.

Main Results:

• Government revenue from gambling can compromise independent regulation.
• Industry influence on research mirrors tactics used by tobacco and alcohol industries.
• Lack of conflict of interest disclosures and calls for industry partnerships undermine research integrity.

Conclusions:

• Five principles are proposed: no funding from gambling proceeds, unbiased research priorities, industry-free forums, mandatory disclosure of funding sources, and licensing requiring access to gambling products/environments.
• Promoting transparency and independence is crucial for credible gambling studies.
• Urgent action is needed to reform gambling research standards.