A limit approaching pop-up message reduces gambling expenditures, except among players with a financially focused self-concept

ABSTRACT

Responsible gambling (RG) tools that guide electronic gaming machine (EGM) players to set a pre-set money limit on their gambling expenditures are known to reduce excessive gambling. However, not all EGM players who use a limit-setting RG tool will adhere to their limit. We hypothesized that limit adherence is facilitated by informing players that their limit is approaching (and when their limit is reached), but undermined by a financially focused self-concept (FFS). Accordingly, EGM players (N = 88) were provided seed funds to gamble with on a slot machine in a simulated virtual reality casino. They were randomly assigned to receive a limit reminder both when their limit was approaching and again when their limit was reached (experimental condition) or just when their limit was reached (control condition). Players in the experimental condition were more likely to stop playing before reaching their money limit compared to players in the control condition. However, this was observed among players who are low, but not high, in FFS. Unexpectedly, condition (control vs experimental) was unrelated to playing beyond the money limit and FFS did not moderate this relation. Results suggest that individual difference factors, like FFS, can undermine the utility of RG tools.

KEYWORDS:

• Monetary limit
• responsible gambling
• self-concept
• slot machine gambling
• pop-up messages

Conflict of interestFunding sources

This research was the result of an Applied Health Research Question directed to Wohl from Ontario Lottery and Gambling (OLG), which was funded by an Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) Grant [#6700] to Wohl. MOHLTC had no role in determining the aims and outcomes of the current study and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Competing interests

All authors reported no competing interests. To enhance transparency, we describe the nature of the relationship between the research team and the local gambling operator. In short, there is no relationship between the research team and the local gambling operator. This is because in Ontario, where the data were collected, researchers have a middle organization, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO), to gain access to local casinos for the purpose of data collection. Specifically, a research team submits an access request to GREO. GREO liaises with Ontario Lottery and Gambling to get permission to recruit participants from a local gambling venue. Once permission is granted, GREO provides the research teams with the name of a contact at the local gambling venue to set a recruitment schedule. The local gambling operator had no role in determining the aims and outcomes of the current study and no role in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Constraints on publishing

All authors reported no constraints on publishing.

Notes

1. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis indicated a single factor model provided an excellent fit to the data and that all five FFS items had high factor loadings (see OSF for more information).

2. A post hoc power analysis using Monte Carlo simulation indicated that the key results from the regression model were adequately powered (see OSF for more information).

Additional information

Funding

 

Notes on contributors

Nassim Tabri

Dr. Nassim Tabri (Assistant Professor of Psychology) examines how transdiagnostic risk factors (e.g., overvalued ideation, perfectionism, and impulsivity) may function together to proliferate and maintain engagement in various health compromising behaviors (e.g., disordered eating and gambling). His research also examines how these risk factors may influence responsible gambling beliefs and behaviours. He has published 23 peer-reviewed papers, 2 chapter in edited volumes, and 6 technical reports.

Samantha J. Hollingshead

Samantha J. Hollingshead is currently a PhD student at Carleton University. Her research primarily focuses on assessing factors that promote responsible gambling. Recently, her work has begun to examine the potential benefits and consequences of casino loyalty program membership and its long-term impact on members’ gambling attitudes and behaviours. Samantha has published 8 peer-reviewed articles, 1 chapter in an edited volume and 2 technical or government reports.

Michael J. A. Wohl

Dr. Michael J. A. Wohl (Professor of Psychology) examines factors that lead to excessive play (e.g., erroneous cognitions, craving) and means to increase responsible gambling (e.g., setting a limit on play). Recently, attention has been paid to the promotion of positive play and the influence loyalty program membership can have on gambling behavior. Ultimately, he is interested processes that promote positive behavioral change. He has published over 110 peer-reviewed papers, 10 chapter in edited volumes, and 30 technical or government reports.