Encouraging and evaluating limit-setting among on-line gamblers: a naturalistic randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Online gambling is prevalent, necessitating effective harm reduction strategies.
• Limit-setting tools are available but underutilized by many online gambling customers.
• Understanding message effectiveness and delivery modes is crucial for promoting responsible gambling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of different messages in increasing deposit limit-setting among online gambling customers.
• To compare the efficacy of e-mail versus in-account notifications for message delivery.
• To examine the impact of limit-setting on subsequent gambling behavior.

Main Methods:

• A naturalistic randomized controlled trial was conducted across four Australian online wagering websites.
• 31,989 customers were initially included, with 26,560 eligible participants.
• Participants received informative, social, or personal messages via e-mail or in-account notification, or were in a control group.

Main Results:

• Messages significantly increased limit-setting (0.71% vs. 0.08% in controls), with an adjusted odds ratio of 8.17.
• Informative, social, and personal messages showed similar effectiveness.
• In-account notifications were not more effective than e-mail delivery.
• Customers who set limits demonstrated significant reductions in average daily wager, net loss, and betting intensity.

Conclusions:

• Targeted messages are a cost-effective method to increase deposit limit-setting on online gambling platforms.
• Limit-setting is an effective strategy for reducing gambling expenditure and intensity, contributing to harm reduction.
• Further research can optimize message content and delivery for broader impact.