Encouraging responsible gambling: Optimal wording for warning signs and public health campaigns

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1 Encouraging responsible gambling: Optimal wording for warning signs and public health campaigns Dr. Sally Gainsbury Southern Cross University centre for gambling education & research 8 th European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues Vienna September, 2010

2 Public Health Campaigns Facilitate informed choices and behaviour: appropriate use reduce risks avoid harmful consequences

3 Warning Signs for Gambling Recognition of gambling-related negative consequences Implementation of responsible gambling strategies including warning and harmminimisation signs

4 Warning Signs for Gambling

5 Design of Warning Signs Physical attributes Messages content Wording Degree of directness Simplicity Comprehension Aim: read, absorb, act

6 Effectiveness of Warning Signs Significant gaps in smoker s understandings of risks of smoking (Hammond et al., 2006) Alcohol warnings have slow, limited effect on awareness, but little behavioural change (Stockley, 2001) Players are aware of responsible gambling signs in venues, but little /no impact on thoughts and behaviours (Hing, 2003)

7 Premise of Warning Signs 1. Decision to gamble is the responsibility of the individual but they must be fully informed 2. Correcting misconceptions and irrational beliefs will moderate behaviours

8 Gambling Signs Majority of gamblers are irrational, only small proportion problem gamblers No demonstrated link between shifts in cognitions and behavioural change Range of variables that contribute to problem gambling

9 Odds of Winning and Irrational Thoughts Your chances of winning the maximum prize are generally less than one in a million Knowledge Behaviour Increasing knowledge and understanding of gambling probabilities does not change gambling thoughts, attitudes or behaviour (Williams & Connolly, 2006). Messages informing of correct odds and common irrational beliefs do not change gambling thoughts or behaviours (Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2007; Steenbergh et al., 2004)

10 Risks of Gambling Warnings have little impact on risky-behaviours Familiarity with products reduces impact of warnings Costs of compliance may outweigh perceived likelihood of risks Knowledge of risks may not alter behaviour

11 Temporal Reminders Dynamic messages informing players after a playing for a set period of time Difficult to track players on and between EGMs Blaszczynski et al (2001): Recreational gamblers 28 min sessions Problem gamblers 42 min sessions < 2 EGMs per session Optimal frequency and impact unknown

12 Self-Monitoring and Appraisal Self-monitoring increases awareness Associated with behavioural change Problem gambling characterised by dissociation and loss of control Warning signs should assist encourage monitoring and appropriate behaviours

13 Self-Monitoring and Appraisal Aid informed decisions: Monitor behaviour Consider appropriate strategies Relevant and unique Provide low-cost behavioural strategy where appropriate Have you spent more than you intended? Do you need to think about a break?

14 Empirical Evaluation of Warning Message Content Monaghan & Blaszczynski (2010) Journal of Gambling Studies 127 student gamblers in laboratory 124 club gamblers in gambling venue Simulated gaming machine with messages: informative, self-appraisal, control Self-report questionnaires

15 Impact of Message Content Informative Self-Appraisal Control Awareness of Time Increased breaks Impact of message content on subsequent sessions of play Study 1 (Monaghan & Blaszczynski, 2010)

16 Discussion Warning signs protect consumers Most warning signs are ineffective Informative signs may increase knowledge, but do not change behaviours

17 Conclusions Self-appraisal messages increase control and lead to behavioural change Self-appraisal messages encourage limits and breaks Effective harm-minimisation strategy

18 Thank you Monaghan, S., & Blaszczynski, A. (2010). Electronic gaming machine warning messages: Information versus self-evaluation. Journal of Psychology, 144(1), Monaghan, S., & Blaszczynski, A.(2010). Impact of mode of display and message content of responsible gambling signs for electronic gaming machines on regular gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(1), Dr. Sally Gainsbury (nee Monaghan) Southern Cross University