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Open Access 01-03-2017 | Review Paper

A Critical Review of the Harm-Minimisation Tools Available for Electronic Gambling

Authors: Andrew Harris, Mark D. Griffiths

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

The increasing sophistication of gambling products afforded by electronic technologies facilitates increased accessibility to gambling, as well as encouraging rapid and continuous play. This poses several challenges from a responsible gambling perspective, in terms of facilitating player self-awareness and self-control. The same technological advancements in gambling that may facilitate a loss of control may also be used to provide responsible gambling tools and solutions to reduce gambling-related harm. Indeed, several harm-minimisation strategies have been devised that aim to facilitate self-awareness and self-control within a gambling session. Such strategies include the use of breaks in play, ‘pop-up’ messaging, limit setting, and behavioural tracking. The present paper reviews the theoretical argument underpinning the application of specific harm-minimisation tools, as well as providing one of the first critical reviews of the empirical research assessing their efficacy, in terms of influencing gambling cognitions and behaviour.

Recent empirical evidence demonstrates that the delivery of PNF has clinical utility in that it reduces maladaptive gambling-related cognitions and behaviour amongst gamblers of various problem gambling severities (see Cunningham et al. 2009; Cunningham et al. 2012; Larimer et al. 2011; Neighbors et al. 2015). These studies were not included in the current review due to failure to meet within-session gambling harm-minimisation criteria, however, for a recent review of these studies see Marchica and Derevensky (2016).

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Title: A Critical Review of the Harm-Minimisation Tools Available for Electronic Gambling
Authors: Andrew Harris
Mark D. Griffiths
Publication date: 01-03-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-016-9624-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A Critical Review of the Harm-Minimisation Tools Available for Electronic Gambling

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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