Using icon arrays to communicate information about the low chance of winning in a scratch card game

View Abstract View Snapshot Back to Search Results

snapshot summaries

Author(s): Walker, Alexander, C. ; Stange, Madison ; Dixon, Mike J. ; Fugelsang, Jonathan A. ; Koehler, Derek J.

Journal: Journal of Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: April 27, 2022

Icon arrays communicate information about risks in a graphical format. The researchers did two online experiments to examine the effects of presenting scratch card game information in a foreground–background icon array. Participants were randomly assigned to receive only basic scratch card information, additional information about the odds of winning each prize in a text format, or additional information about the odds of winning each prize in an icon array. Participants who saw the icon array were less likely to think they would win a prize. The icon array also reduced excitement and urge to gamble. Thus, icon arrays could improve people’s understanding of the low likelihood of winning and reduce the appeal of scratch card games.

Citation: Walker, A. C., Stange, M., Dixon, M. J., Fugelsang, J. A., & Koehler, D. J. (2022). Using icon arrays to communicate gambling information reduces the appeal of scratch card games. Journal of Gambling Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10103-5

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10103-5

Keywords: gambling ; graphics ; harm reduction ; messaging ; prevention ; responsible gambling ; scratch cards ; structural characteristics

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Operators ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Prevention

Conceptual Framework Factors: Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Marketing and Messaging ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Environment

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Canada ; United States of America

Study Population: Experiment 1: n= 501 participants (46% women, mean age 39.61). Experiment 2: n = 585 participants (45% women, mean age 38.55).

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. They were required to be residents of Canada or the United States and have a Mechanical Turk HIT approval rating greater than or equal to 95%.

Study Funding:

This research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.