Virtual peers can help people to reduce gambling symptoms and related problems

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Author(s): Yokotani, Kenji ; Seki, Yosuke ; Abe, Nobuhito ; Takamura, Masahiro ; Yamamoto, Tetsuya ; Takahashi, Hideyuki

Journal: Computers in Human Behavior

Year Published: 2026

Date Added: July 17, 2026

Social influence can shape gambling behaviour. Research has found that peers play a key role, as people often model behaviours they observe in others. This influence likely applies to both in-person and online gambling. In this study, 320 Japanese adults with moderate-risk gambling used an app over eight weeks. Compared to the control group, participants who interacted with a virtual Insightful Peer reduced their gambling symptoms and gambling frequency. People who interacted with a virtual Empathetic Peer reduced gambling spending. The findings suggest that having access to supportive virtual peers can lead to meaningful change over time.

Citation: Yokotani, K., Seki, Y., Abe, N., Takamura, M., Yamamoto, T., & Takahashi, H. (2026). Virtual peers reduce gambling symptoms and related problems of moderate-risk gamblers: A randomized controlled trial. Computers in Human Behavior, 180, 108956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.108956

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.108956

Keywords: interventions ; peer influence ; peers ; problem gambling

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

Conceptual Framework Factors: Social - Family and Peer Gambling Involvement ; Gambling Resources ; Resources - Interventions

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Japan

Study Population: Adults who were at least 18 years of age and had a score of ≥ 3 on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (n = 320).

Sampling Procedure: An online randomized experiment was conducted in Japan. The researchers recruited people through a commercial research firm (Cross Marketing, Inc.). Using the LINE app, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: dual-peer, insightful-peer, empathetic-peer, or control group.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, KAKENHI: 23K22365; KAKENHI:24K00505).