A scoping review of gambling policy research in Europe

Abstract

In Europe, gambling policy is conditioned by different administrative levels, including national authorities and the EU, as well as institutions of the European Economic Area (EEA). The legal framework of the EU/EEA requires Member States to pursue evidence‐based policy. The current scoping review focuses on what kind of policy research is available on gambling in the European context to support evidence‐based policy. We searched three scientific databases for research literature on gambling regulation and policy in the European context. The final sample consists of 88 papers. We analysed the corpus with Term Frequency‐Inverse Document Frequency mapping, and, narratively, by applying the policy cycle phases (agenda‐setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation). Overall, the results show that gambling policy research is a growing field in Europe, and the policy cycle describes the available literature amply. The largest part of the existing research concerns the evaluation phase, while the formulation and implementation phases are under‐represented. The findings are discussed in terms of the main outcomes, as well as in terms of the gaps in the existing research.

A Systematic Review on Intervention Treatment in Pathological Gambling

“…Remarkably, from that point onward until the present day, there appears to be a notable scarcity of studies aligning with our objectives. This gap spanning two decades may be attributed to the substantial societal transformations that transpired during this period, such as the widespread diffusion of information and communication technology (ICT) [ 104 ] and the implementation of diverse policies across various countries [ 105 ].…”

“…Public support, or successful shaping of public opinion through strategic marketing and public relations campaigns, can also tilt politicians towards alignment with industry interests [ 108 ]. Additionally, instances of industry influence over regulatory bodies tasked with oversight further fortify its political clout [ 105 ]. Nevertheless, despite its formidable presence, the gambling lobby encounters challenges.…”

“…Critics raise concerns about the societal and economic toll of gambling, citing issues such as addiction, crime, and adverse effects on vulnerable populations. Moreover, some politicians and policymakers tread cautiously, wary of being perceived as overly cozy with the industry due to ethical considerations or potential public backlash [ 105 ].…”