Experiences of Playscan: Interviews with users of a responsible gambling tool

Abstract

Online gambling, encompassing a wide variety of activities and around-the-clock access, can be a potential risk factor for gamblers who tend to gamble excessively. Yet, the advent of online gambling has enabled responsible gambling (RG) features that may help individuals to limit their gambling behaviour. One of these features is RG tools that track gamblers' behaviour, performs risk assessments and provides advice to gamblers. This study investigated users' views and experiences of the RG tool Playscan from a qualitative perspective using a semi-structured interview. The tool performs a risk assessment on a three-step scale (low, medium and high risk). Users from every risk category were included. Twenty interviews were carried out and analysed using thematic analysis. Two main themes with associated sub-themes were identified: “Usage of Playscan and the gambling site” and “Experiences of Playscan”. Important experiences in the sub-themes were lack of feedback from the tool and confusion when signing up to use Playscan. These experiences counteracted positive attitudes that should have promoted usage of the tool. Providing more feedback directly to users is a suggested solution to increase usage of the RG tool.

Use of Consumer Protection Tools on Internet Gambling Sites: Customer Perceptions, Motivators, and Barriers to Use

“…Among users of the more restrictive tools, positive change was reported by a nonsignificant majority. This is consistent with previous research on use of Playscan, a consumer protection tool in which Internet gamblers take a self-test and receive feedback on their level of problem gambling severity with suggested actions (Forsström et al, 2017). It is possible that Internet gamblers can manage their gambling without ongoing tool use, which would be consistent with the reported reasons for lack of engagement.…”

“…Internet gambling offers theoretically greater practical opportunities to facilitate harm-minimisation efforts than land and cash-based gambling venues through monitoring customer accounts, behavioural algorithms, and electronic transactions (Forsström, Jansson-Fröjmark, Hesser, & Carlbring, 2017;Harris & Griffiths, 2017;Monaghan, 2009).…”

The use of self-management strategies for problem gambling: a scoping review

“… N = 471; 69% male, 31% females 34.5 (11.8) Not reported Yes No Alcohol consumption, depression Cunningham et al (2012) [ 46 ]; Canada Quant. N = 176 f , 51% male, 49% female 47.6 (13.4) Not reported No No Not reported Forsstrom et al (2017) [ 47 ]; Sweden Qual. N = 20; 95% male, 5% female 42.15 (12.70) Not reported No No Not reported Grant et al (2011) [ 48 ]; United States g Quant.…”

A systematic review of educational programs and consumer protection measures for gambling: an extension of previous reviews

“…Use of the interventions is also an important factor; e.g. there is low use among gamblers who have engaged with the RG tool 'Playscan ' (Forsstr€ om et al 2016' (Forsstr€ om et al , 2017' (Forsstr€ om et al , 2020. There are also several demographic factors to incorporate into analyses as they are known to influence outcomes of interventions, including age and gender.…”