Prevention Messages for Gambling

Overseen By CQEPTJ

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Benjamin Galipeau

Disqualifiers: Pathological gambling, Treatment for gambling, Self-exclusion

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how prevention pop-up messages influence the behaviors and feelings of individuals who regularly play electronic gambling machines (EGMs). The study compares regular gambling sessions with those that include these pop-up messages. Participants must be regular EGM players, having played at least once every two weeks over the past year, and should not have severe gambling problems. The trial takes place in a lab designed to resemble a bar, allowing participants to gamble at their own pace with their own money. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could improve gambling prevention strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these prevention pop-up messages are safe for participants?

Research shows that prevention pop-up messages are generally safe in gambling situations. Studies have found that these messages can inform gamblers and might help change their gambling habits if used correctly. No evidence suggests these messages cause harm. Designed as a responsible gambling tool, they pause the game at intervals to provide helpful information.

These messages are well-received because they gently interrupt and inform without causing stress or confusion. Participants in past studies did not report negative effects from seeing these pop-ups. Instead, the messages had a moderate effect on reducing gambling behavior and thoughts in the short term. While these pop-ups might briefly interrupt the game, they do not seem to pose any safety risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a novel approach to reducing problem gambling through prevention pop-up messages. Unlike existing methods that mainly focus on self-exclusion programs or counseling, these messages aim to intervene directly during the gambling experience. The pop-ups are unique because they disrupt the gambling flow by covering the game screen, potentially prompting players to reconsider their actions in real-time. This approach could offer an immediate, in-the-moment deterrent, which is different from the more traditional, long-term strategies currently available.

What evidence suggests that prevention pop-up messages are effective for influencing gambling behavior?

This trial will compare the effects of prevention pop-up messages with a regular gambling session control. Research has shown that pop-up messages can help reduce the harm caused by gambling. Studies indicate that these messages might lower the amount of time and money people spend on gambling, leading to safer behavior and a reduced risk of developing gambling problems. Some evidence suggests that these messages also help people stay aware of their time and surroundings while gambling. Overall, these messages offer moderate benefits in changing gambling habits and thoughts in the short term. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Benjamin Galipeau

Principal Investigator

Laval University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for regular players of electronic gambling machines (EGMs) who play at least once every two weeks for the past year but are not probable pathological gamblers. Participants will use their own money in a lab setting that mimics a bar and must be comfortable with potentially losing real money.

Inclusion Criteria

Having played EGMs at least once every two weeks for the past 12 months

I can read and understand simple texts in French.

Exclusion Criteria

Currently receiving treatment for problem gambling

Currently under self-exclusion from gambling venues

Classified as a probable pathological gambler (score ≥ 8 on the PGSI)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Experiment

Participants engage in a gambling session in a laboratory setting, replicating a bar environment with real EGMs, to test the effects of prevention pop-up messages on gambling behaviors and cognitions.

2 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Post-experiment

Participants complete a series of questionnaires assessing their perceptions and responses to the gambling session and prevention messages.

1 hour

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in gambling behavior and perceptions after the experiment.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Prevention pop-up messages

Trial Overview The study tests how effective prevention messages, mandatory time limits, and responsible gambling information are on EGMs' player behavior. It's done in a controlled lab environment where participants gamble as they wish and then answer questionnaires.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Prevention pop-up messages Experimental Treatment 5 Interventions

Same as active comparator with the addition of prevention pop-up messages delivered during the gambling session on a fixed presentation schedule. Due to hardware limitations on the EGMs' part, the prevention messages presented only alter what is shown on the play screen (they fill it completely, hiding the game), but can't pause the game per se. The EGMs' buttons, sound, and music are still operational while the message is shown. While disrupting play flow, this still lets the participant place bets (albeit without seeing what is going on).

Group II: Regular gambling session control Active Control 4 Interventions

Gambling session on EGMs in a room replicating a bar (subdued light, music, bar paraphernalia, fake liquor on display, research assistant acting as barman and selling non-alcoholic soft drinks and chips). Participants are invited to participate under the false pretense of giving their opinion on the realism of the bar replica and overall feeling of the gambling session in it. They are told that: (a) they are free to gamble as much and for as long as they like; (b) they are allowed to take breaks; (c) gambling is to be done with their own money; (d) the only compensation for participation are winnings that could be made while gambling; (e) net winnings across their whole session are paid up to $500, but losses are real. Lost money is given back after debriefing (see Study Detailed Description).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Benjamin Galipeau

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

140+

Fonds pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12361340/

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Responsible Gambling ... Research that has evaluated the utility of pop-up messages on EGMs have yielded mixed results. Some findings suggest that messages that prompt ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460323002885

Testing the effectiveness of different safer gambling ... Effective gambling messages should curb time and money spent on gambling, since these are the behaviours proximal to gambling-related harm.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8343068/

Impact of Warning Pop-Up Messages on the Gambling ... Pop-up messages that interrupted gambling were a good way to reduce dissociation (21) with a low negative effect on the gambling experience (18, ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06341504

Prevention Messages for EGMs: Effects on Behaviours and ... Pop-up messages are often used as a responsible gambling (RG) measure to prevent harm for these screen-based types of gambling.

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.601800/full

The Effects of Responsible Gambling Pop-Up Messages ... It is concluded that pop-up messages provide moderate effects on gambling behavior and cognitions in the short-term.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7868407/

The Effects of Responsible Gambling Pop-Up Messages on ... It is concluded that pop-up messages provide moderate effects on gambling behavior and cognitions in the short-term.

7. greo.ca greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/Details/mandatory-pop-up-messages-have-a-modest-effect-on-egm-gambling-behaviour-in-new-z

Mandatory pop-up messages have a modest effect on EGM ... Pop-up messages interrupt gamblers at random time after 30 minutes of continuous gambling. They provide gamblers with information about their ...