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Abstract
In the current study, we assessed whether undergraduate electronic gaming machine (EGM) gamblers would be more apt to set a time limit and spend less time gambling when asked to consider setting an explicit time limit prior to their gambling session. To this end, participants (N = 43) were randomly assigned to a time limit pop-up condition or control condition, both of which involved gambling on an EGM in a virtual reality (VR) casino. In the time limit pop-up condition, participants were asked (via pop-up message) to consider setting a time limit on play and entering that limit in an available text box prior to commencing play. In the no time limit pop-up condition, participants engaged in play immediately upon accessing the EGM in the VR casino (i.e. they were not exposed to a time limit pop-up message). As predicted, participants who were explicitly asked to consider setting a time limit on their EGM play were significantly more likely to do so and spent less time gambling than those who were not given such instructions. The results provide preliminary support for the contention that setting a time limit on EGM play is an effective responsible gambling strategy.
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Hyoun S. Kim
Hyoun S. Kim is a masters student at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research focuses on the antecedents and consequences of disordered gambling. Specific attention is paid to facilitating responsible gambling as well as treatment seeking.
Michael J. A. Wohl
Michael J. A. Wohl is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. The majority of his work examines means to promote responsible gambling. In addition, his work has focused on stress and coping responses, non-rational thought and craving as predictors of continued gambling behaviour. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and is the receipt of Carleton's Research Achievement Award. Recently, he was awarded an infrastructure grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation to build a state-of-the-art Casino Laboratory. The Carleton University Gambling Lab contains card tables, slot machines and an interactive virtual reality casino.
Melissa J. Stewart
Melissa J. Stewart is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Her research focuses on examining the role of outcome expectancies and gambling motives on problematic gambling behaviour, as well as assessing the effectiveness strategies aimed at promoting responsible slot machine play.
Travis Sztainert
Travis Sztainert is a PhD candidate at Carleton University who examines the antecedents and consequences of problem gambling behaviour. Specifically, he examines gambling as a behavioural addiction, and his main area of focus concerns the subjective experience of craving often reported by problem gamblers. Other research he has conducted includes examining how to facilitate better care for those who may develop gambling problems, as well as identifying responsible gambling tools that may aid in preventing problem gambling. He has also conducted research examining barriers to treatment-seeking among problem gamblers.
Sally M. Gainsbury
Sally Gainsbury is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University, and the Associate Editor of International Gambling Studies. She is a clinical psychologist with several years of research experience and is the principal investigator on several gambling research grants. She has authored many papers, book chapters, reports and presentations on gambling. She is a board member of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors and International Society of Managing and Technical Editors.