A brief intervention using action and coping planning to help gamblers stick to their money limits

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Author(s): Rodda, Simone N. ; Bagot, Kathleen L. ; Manning, Victoria ; Lubman, Dan I.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: November 26, 2019

This study explored if a brief intervention using action and coping planning could help gamblers stick to their money limits. Participants were 184 regular gamblers who planned to set a money limit. About half received a brief intervention tailored to their selected strategy. The other half served as the control. All participants spent the same or less than what they had intended while gambling in the venue. Participants who had moderate-risk/problem gambling and received the intervention spent less than what they had intended. They also planned to reduce their gambling spending in the next 30 days. These effects were not observed in the control group. At the 30-day follow-up, only participants who had moderate-risk/problem gambling and received the intervention spent less than before, although they still exceeded what they intended to spend.

Citation: Rodda, S. N., Bagot, K. L., Manning, V., & Lubman, D. I. (2019). An exploratory RCT to support gamblers’ intentions to stick to monetary limits: A brief intervention using action and coping planning. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09873-w

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09873-w

Keywords: intention to gamble ; precommitment ; prevention ; responsible gambling ; self-regulation

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Response Rate: 87% (160 completed the post-gambling assessment out of 184 who agreed to participate); attrition rate of 35% (from post-gambling assessment to 30-day follow-up)

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Australia, Victoria

Study Population: Regular gamblers who were planning to set a money limit on their EGM play

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from 11 EGM venues and Crown Casino in metropolitan and regional Victoria during August and September 2017. Participants were screened for eligibility in the gaming venue foyer, and eligible participants were randomized to the intervention or control condition in a quiet space in the gambling venue (e.g., tea and coffee area). Participants were randomized using the sealed envelope technique.

Study Funding:

This research funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.