Self-Exclusion from Gambling—A Measure of COVID-19 Impact on Gambling in a Highly Online-Based Gambling Market?

Håkansson, Anders; Widinghoff, Carolina; Berge, Jonas

doi:10.3390/ijerph18147367

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Most particularly, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gambling market was subject to severe restrictions, especially in 2020. During the lockdown, land-based gambling services had to close and sporting events were temporarily banned (Auer et al, 2020 ; Håkansson et al, 2021 ; Nosal & Lopez-Gonzalez, 2021 ). It seems likely that the providers adapted their marketing strategies to the prevailing conditions.…”

Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do Gambling Providers Use the Social Network Twitter in Germany? An Explorative Mixed-Methods Topic Modeling Approach

et al. 2022

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This study examines the social media activities of gambling providers in Germany, focusing on the platform Twitter. A collection of 34.151 tweets from 13 Twitter accounts was made, representing casinos, sports betting, state lotteries, social lotteries and lottery brokers. We apply an explorative mixed-methods approach, integrating a summative content analysis together with a semi-supervised guided topic modeling approach, to analyse frequency, number of followers, interaction and content of Twitter messages, and work out differences among the individual providers. The results show that Twitter does not seem to be particularly important for gambling providers who are active in Germany. Regarding outreach, frequency of tweets and interaction, Twitter plays a much smaller role than, for example, in the UK. The potential for Twitter to be an advertising, marketing and interaction channel has not yet been fully exploited, which would make it a perfect moment for developing an appropriate regulatory framework. Overall, the results of semi-supervised topic modeling show that providers most often use informative content (news) and combine it with other, usually less neutral content. It is alarming that many providers make little or no use of Responsible Gambling messages. Even though the activities are presently on a low level, they contribute to the normalization of gambling, setting incentives for increasing gambling participation. Children and youth form a large segment of Twitter users. Potential harm can arise especially for this group because of the lack of enforcement of any age limit.

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Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do Gambling Providers Use the Social Network Twitter in Germany? An Explorative Mixed-Methods Topic Modeling Approach

et al. 2022

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“…The self-exclusion period can be chosen to be either 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or a year, and although each period is discontinued automatically, one can enter the system at any time to prolong it. Spelpaus is accessed at a specific website [ 5 ] belonging to the Swedish Gambling Authority, which is a national government authority, and the provision of this service is therefore independent of the individual gambling operators. Hitherto, it has been reported that a majority of problem gamblers likely have not self-excluded, although a substantial number of them do, and a substantial number of individuals without gambling problems also may choose to self-exclude in this system [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-operator Self-exclusion as a Harm Reduction Measure in Problem Gambling: Retrospective Clinical Study on Gambling Relapse Despite Self-exclusion

Håkansson¹,

Åkesson²

2022

JMIR Ment Health

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Background Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling is a common harm reduction option for individuals with gambling problems. Multi-operator, nationwide self-exclusion services are rare, and a system introduced in the highly web-based gambling market of Sweden is a rare and recent example. However, where web-based casino gambling and web-based betting are the predominate gambling types in those seeking treatment, the risk of breaching one’s own self-exclusion through overseas web-based operators may also be high. Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence of a nationwide Spelpaus (“gambling break”) self-exclusion and the prevalence of gambling despite self-exclusion in patients seeking treatment for gambling disorder in 2021. Methods Health care documentation of recent treatment seekers (January 1 through September 1, 2021, N=85) in a Swedish treatment facility was reviewed for data regarding problematic gambling types reported, history of self-exclusion, and history of breaching of that self-exclusion. Results Common problem gambling types were web-based casino gambling (49/74, 66%) and sports betting (19/74, 26%). The majority who participated in this study (62/85, 73%) were men. All women reported web-based casino gambling. Self-exclusion through Spelpaus was common (60/74, 81%). Among self-excluders, gambling despite self-exclusion was common (41/60, 68%), most commonly on unlicensed gambling websites. Conclusions The nationwide, multi-operator self-exclusion service of Sweden appears to reach many patients with a gambling disorder. However, the remaining gambling options in an web-based gambling setting present a major challenge despite self-exclusion. The recent data calls for further treatment efforts and potential improvements in services aiming to help voluntary self-excluders abstain from gambling.

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“…However, given the popularity of this service, and the need to optimize harm-reducing interventions against GD, there is reason to study the effects and limitations of the self-exclusion service further. Hitherto, the experience of this new, unique self-exclusion tool is primarily based on quantitative research [19][20][21][22], whereas qualitative research may provide deeper knowledge about the lived experience of Spelpaus self-exclusion in individuals affected. Furthermore, the experience of concerned significant others has been little understood so far, and there is reason to suspect that the relationship of gamblers with their concerned significant others may change if they self-exclude in order to discontinue a problematic gambling pattern.…”

Section: Renderxmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thereby, the number of people self-excluded through this service clearly surpasses the number of people believed to experience a GD at a given time (which may, despite discrepancies between methods of measure, reach a number in the order of 30,000) [ 18 ]. Thus, this service appears to attract many people [ 19 , 20 ], both in the general population and among people attending a GD treatment unit [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects and Limitations of a Unique, Nationwide, Self-Exclusion Service for Gambling Disorder and Its Self-Perceived Effects and Harms in Gamblers: Protocol for a Qualitative Interview Study

Håkansson¹,

Tjernberg²,

Hansson³

2023

JMIR Res Protoc

Self Cite

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Background Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling is a common but underdeveloped harm reduction tool in the management of gambling problems or gambling disorders. Large-scale, multi-operator, and operator-independent self-exclusion services are needed. A recent nationwide multi-operator self-exclusion service in Sweden (Spelpaus), involving both land- and web-based gambling sites, is promising, but recent data have revealed limitations to this system and possibilities to breach one’s self-exclusion through overseas web-based gambling. More knowledge is needed about the benefits and challenges of such an extensive self-exclusion service, and its effects as perceived by gamblers. Objective This study protocol describes the rationale and design of a qualitative interview study addressing the effects and limitations perceived by individuals with gambling problems and their concerned significant others. The study aims to provide an in-depth experience of this novel self-exclusion service and to inform stakeholders and policymakers in order to further improve harm reduction tools against gambling problems. Methods Individuals with gambling problems will be recruited primarily through social media and also from a treatment unit, if needed, for a qualitative interview study. Recorded interview material will be analyzed through content analysis, and recruitment will continue until saturation in the material is reached. This study will provide in-depth information about a harm reduction tool that is promising and commonly used, but which has proven to be breached by a significant number of users, potentially limiting its efficiency. The aim is to interview a sufficient number of gamblers until saturation has been obtained in the interview material. Saturation will be considered through a continuous analysis, comparing recently collected data to previously collected data. Results Results will be reported as the themes and subthemes identified after the thorough analysis and coding of the transcribed text material and will be accompanied by citations representing relevant themes and subthemes. Results are planned to be provided before the end of 2023. Conclusions This study will likely provide new insights into user perspectives on a multi-operator self-exclusion service that involves both web- and land-based gambling operators, and which according to previous literature attracts many gamblers but also appears to have limitations and challenges in the target group of individuals with gambling problems. Policy and legislation implications, as well as clinical implications for treatment providers, will be discussed. Results and conclusions will be disseminated to policy makers in Sweden and internationally, as well as to peer organizations, treatment providers, and the research community. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05693155; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05693155 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/47528

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Self-Exclusion from Gambling—A Measure of COVID-19 Impact on Gambling in a Highly Online-Based Gambling Market?

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

How do Gambling Providers Use the Social Network Twitter in Germany? An Explorative Mixed-Methods Topic Modeling Approach

How do Gambling Providers Use the Social Network Twitter in Germany? An Explorative Mixed-Methods Topic Modeling Approach

Multi-operator Self-exclusion as a Harm Reduction Measure in Problem Gambling: Retrospective Clinical Study on Gambling Relapse Despite Self-exclusion

Effects and Limitations of a Unique, Nationwide, Self-Exclusion Service for Gambling Disorder and Its Self-Perceived Effects and Harms in Gamblers: Protocol for a Qualitative Interview Study

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