Identifying research priorities in gambling through a large-scale expert study

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Author(s): Czakó, Andrea ; Potenza, Marc N. ; Hodgins, David C. ; Yu, Shu M. ; Wu, Anise M. S. ; Jiménez-Murcia, Susana ; Bowden-Jones, Henrietta ; King, Daniel L. ; Billieux, Joël ; Bőthe, Beáta ; Stein, Dan J. ; Gambling Research Priority Setting Consortium ; Demetrovics, Zsolt

Journal: Journal of Behavioral Addictions

Year Published: 2025

Date Added: December 05, 2025

In this study, the researchers contacted gambling experts, stakeholders, and regulators to gather opinions on gambling research priorities for the next five years. Some of the top research priorities were rates of problem gambling among underserved populations, emerging forms of gambling, and co-occurrence with other disorders. Additional research priorities highlighted the need for research on advertising, youth, and minority populations, and longitudinal data. Other top-priority topics included treatment options, prevention, and policy on advertising. Evaluating and tailoring existing interventions were prioritized over creating new interventions.

Citation: Czakó, A., Potenza, M. N., Hodgins, D. C., Yu, S. M., Wu, A. M. S., Jiménez‑Murcia, S., Bowden‑Jones, H., King, D., Billieux, J., Bőthe, B., Stein, D. J., Gambling Research Priority Setting Consortium, & Demetrovics, Z. (2025). Research priorities in gambling: Findings of a large‑scale expert study. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 14(3), 1222–1249. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00072

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2025.00072

Keywords: addictive behaviour ; compulsive behaviour ; gambling ; gambling disorder ; impulsive gambling ; interventions ; policy ; prevention ; treatment

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Impulsivity ; Information for Operators ; Information for Policy Makers ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Study Population: The study surveyed 307 gambling experts from around the world in Phase 1, among whom 266 also participated in Phase 2 to assess the 102 research options identified in Phase 1. Finally, representatives from 14 stakeholder organizations participated in Phase 3.

Sampling Procedure: Eligible researchers were first identified through a systematic search of Web of Science for papers published between 2017 and 2021. These were experts who were the first, last, or corresponding author on at least two gambling publications. The researchers were then invited to complete an online survey. A sample of gambling regulators and stakeholders were also contacted and asked to rate the research options that were provided by the researchers.

Study Funding:

No funding was provided for this study.