The impact of informative and self-appraisal pop-up messages on Internet gambling

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Author(s): Caillon, Julie ; Grall-Bronnec, Marie ; Saillard, Anais ; Leboucher, Juliette ; Péré, Morgane ; Challet-Bouju, Gaëlle

Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry

Year Published: 2021

Date Added: October 16, 2021

This study evaluated the impact of informative and self-appraisal messages as compared to blank pop-ups without any message. Participants were invited to gamble as usual on their favourite gambling website using their own money. They were randomly assigned to receive four informative, self-appraisal, or blank pop-ups while gambling. Participants were followed up at 15 days after the gambling session. Self-appraisal and informative messages had limited impact on gambling behaviour, cravings, or gambling-related thoughts. Over half of the participants were irritated and frustrated by the pop-up messages. Most participants did not think the messages had any impact on their gambling behaviour or their enjoyment of gambling.

Citation: Caillon, J., Grall-Bronnec, M., Saillard, A., Leboucher, J., Péré, M., & Challet-Bouju, G. (2021). Impact of warning pop-up messages on the gambling behavior, craving and cognitions of online gamblers: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 711431. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.711431

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.711431

Keywords: addiction ; cognition ; gambling-related harm ; online gambling ; pop-up messages ; prevention ; problem gambling ; Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) ; responsible gambling ; warnings

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Online Gambling ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Psychological - Comorbid Disorders ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Environment

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: France

Study Population: Adults aged 18 and older who had gambled at least once in the past month on a licensed gambling website (n = 58). People who scored 8 or higher on the PGSI, in treatment for gambling problems, or were in debt were excluded.

Sampling Procedure: Convenience sampling – participants were recruited through media announcements (newspapers, radio, and websites). The researchers also obtained lists of potential participants from survey institutes.

Study Funding:

This study was supported by a Grant from the French Ministry of Health and a Grant from the National Institute of Prevention and Health Education.