Casino and Online Self-Exclusion in Canada: Awareness, Uptake, and Compliance

Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) is a widely available harm-reduction strategy for individuals experiencing gambling-related harm. However, little is known about factors associated with VSE awareness and utilisation, or gambling during the self-exclusion period. Canadian adults who gambled on electronic gambling machines, casino table games or online in the past 12 months were recruited from an online panel (n = 8,466). Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, questions about mental health disorders, questions assessing awareness and utilisation of casino and online VSE, gambling during the self-exclusion period, exposure to gambling advertising, and receiving formal support for gambling problems. Approximately 56% of participants were aware of VSE programs, with awareness highest among residents of British Columbia and participants with problem gambling or a substance use disorder. Roughly one quarter of those aware had used them, with highest utilisation associated with ages 18-29, problem gambling status, and substance use disorder. Gambling during the self-exclusion period was common. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and gambling behaviour, exposure to gambling advertising was not associated with gambling during VSE. In contrast, receiving formal help for gambling problems was associated with lower odds of gambling during the self-exclusion period. In conclusion, awareness and utilisation of VSE vary across sociodemographic groups, highlighting opportunities to improve the reach of this harm-reduction strategy. Integrating formal support into VSE enrolment may enhance its effectiveness. Future research should identify strategies to improve adherence to VSE by individuals and gambling providers and evaluate interventions that strengthen its long-term effectiveness.