The Effects of Pop-up Harm Minimisation Messages on Electronic Gaming Machine Gambling Behaviour in New Zealand

Abstract

In New Zealand a simple pop-up message feature that provides gambling session information and forces a break in play is mandatory on all electronic gaming machines in all venues (EGMs). Previous research has demonstrated small effects of more sophisticated pop-up messages tested predominantly in laboratory environments. The present research examined gambler engagement with and views on the New Zealand pop-up messages and on the relationship between pop-up messages and EGM expenditure. A sample of gamblers was recruited at casino and non-casino (pub) EGM venues. Most participants were aware of pop-up messages (57 %) and many saw them often (38 %). Among gamblers who reported seeing pop-up messages, half read the message content, and a quarter believed that pop-up messages helped them control the amount of money they spend on gambling. Participants who reported being likely to stop gambling in response to pop-up messages spent significantly less money on gambling when variables that were independently associated with EGM expenditure were controlled for. A modest harm minimisation effect of the pop-up message feature that has been operating in New Zealand for 5 years was evident. Suggestions for improvement of the harm minimisation potential of the current pop-up message feature are discussed.

On the Feasibility of In-Venue Observations of Electronic Gaming Machine Gamblers and Game Characteristics

“…In the few instances where this occurred, it seemed that it was due to the timing of a pop-up message coinciding with the perception that a jackpot was likely to pay out. This observation is consistent with the notion that there is no substantial impact of the pop-up messages on gambler enjoyment (Palmer du Preez, Landon, Bellringer, Garrett, & Abbott, 2016). Nonetheless, irrespective of the context, where frustration in response to pop-up messages was evident, it could be an indication of likely harmful gambling and an opportunity for venue staff to interact with patrons as part of host responsibility.…”

Dynamic changes in the use of online advice in response to task success or failure

“…There have been concerns that online gamblers will not take up consumer protection software (Auer and Griffiths 2013;Forsström, Hesser, and Carlbring 2016;Palmer du Preez et al 2016). The present data imply that previously experienced benefit can engender a degree of inertia or unconflicted adherence to the current strategy (Janis and Mann 1977), arguing perhaps for personalised feedback within a motivational interviewing framework (Auer and Griffiths 2014).…”

“…Currently service providers have the capability to monitor (Haefeli, Lischer, and Schwarz 2011) and assist in real time (Auer and Griffiths 2013;Heron and Smyth 2010), but there may be no point if users do not avail themselves of such support (Griffiths, Wood, and Parke 2009;Ladouceur, Blaszczynski, and Lalande 2012;Nower and Blaszczynski 2010;Palmer du Preez et al 2016;Wohl et al 2014). Hence, the present study considers how emotion influences receptivity to system advice.…”

“…At low risk participants' use of advice was intermittent, seemingly being considered as part of a range of other options. At higher risk the processing of decisional support seemed delayed and advice was largely ignored, and this has implications for a range of interventions (Monaghan 2009;Palmer du Preez et al 2016). People do not think as well in crisis (Janis and Mann 1977) when overloaded (Longo 2015), and advice may actually be needed (Phillips, Ogeil, and Blaszczynski 2013).…”

“…However, an ongoing concern is whether people will uptake and respond to such technology (e.g. Forsström, Hesser, and Carlbring 2016;Palmer du Preez et al 2016).…”