Safer gambling (SG) messages can encourage safer gambling. Recommendation messages give practical guidance on gambling behaviour, while corrective messages challenge inaccurate beliefs about gambling. In this study, the researchers compared the short- and long-term effects of both types of SG messages. They recruited 50 Spanish adults who had gambled in the past month and whose gambling ranged from low- to high-risk. Participants completed an experimental task where they viewed gambling-related images that were paired with both types of SG messages while their eye movement was tracked. Then, they were randomly assigned to receive either recommendation or corrective messages from an instant messaging application for 20 days.
Regarding short-term effects, corrective messages attracted more visual attention, but recommendation messages were remembered better and rated as more persuasive. In the long term, corrective messages led to greater improvements in inaccurate beliefs about gambling and confidence in one’s ability to control gambling behaviour. These findings can inform the strategic use of both types of SG messages based on short- and long-term goals.
