One of the leading charitable organisations engaged with helping problem gamblers in the UK – GambleAware – launched a study focused on utilising behavioural science methodology, which has emphasised on responsible gambling tools and their impact on dealing with gambling addiction.
Researchers from the behavioural insights team (BIT) of GambleAware are working on finding more efficient ways to reduce problem gambling on the Internet. The team has conducted some interviews in their most recent research, and also analysed operator data and used a mystery shopping experiment in order to better understand risky online gambling behaviour and try to reduce it.
The above-mentioned interviews were held with 16 professional and problem gamblers. The results from these interviews revealed that many people find online gambling sites quite attractive.
If you're struggling to give up gambling, and are spending increasingly large amounts of money, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 pic.twitter.com/x8OgoKsfAO
— BeGambleAware (@BeGambleAware) December 17, 2018
As revealed by the charity organisation itself, the evaluation contributes to priority action 9 in the National Responsible Gambling Strategy. According to Gamble Aware, it would also contribute to the research theme 6 in the new Research programme 2018-2022 of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
A project brief has been developed in collaboration between the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) and the UKGC, with it setting the policy context, the evaluation objectives, the evaluation framework’s development and design, as well as the methodology which must be followed.
Evaluation of Three Main Providers to Be Made
The aforementioned evaluation will be commissioned by GambleAware, with the first phase set to see consultation with various stakeholders in the industry in order to develop a thorough evaluation framework and proper methodology. On the other hand, the second phase of the evaluation will include its delivery against the framework.
The scope of the project is to make an evaluation of the three main providers and their partners of the funded professional help, support and treatment given by GambleAware to players at risk. The research is also set to help the charity experts better understand how services function together in a nation-wide system. In addition, the project requires the development of a comprehensive evaluation framework and methods that work properly with service providers and stakeholders in the local gambling industry.
For free help, support and advice about #problem gambling, please contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 pic.twitter.com/f2HWr16DRr
— BeGambleAware (@BeGambleAware) December 18, 2018
The GambleAware team was also able to work hand in glove with some of the largest UK gambling companies, including bet365 and Sky Betting & Gaming, to test the effects of different behavioural science messages set to players who are considered at risk of becoming gambling addicts. As revealed by the charity, this is exactly in what the study made its largest breakthrough.
The team of the researchers tested two methods for helping the players put at risk. The experts, who participated in the study, found that across the websites of the two gambling operators mentioned above more frictionless access to responsible gambling tools made more players set deposit limits and spend some time away from gambling activities.
- Author
Olivia Cole
