Gamblers perceptions of responsibility for gambling harm: a critical qualitative inquiry Full Text

Among this group, 5018 reported using one self-control strategy “at least sometimes”. Respondents who reported playing lotteries only or gambling less than once a month were excluded. Among this group, people who indicated a willingness to participate in further gambling-related research and who resided in Montreal, Calgary or Toronto were contacted and invited to participate.

Some participants demonstrated a lack of empathy towards those who experienced harm because they had not experienced it themselves. When participants considered it was easy to control their gambling behaviours, some assumed others experienced harm because there was something wrong with them. For example, the following participant described how people “inflict” harm on themselves because they were perceived to gamble for selfish reasons and believed they could win.

• These programmes create safe spaces for individuals to discuss their gambling habits, share experiences and receive support from peers facing similar challenges.
• Some participants suggested strategies that individuals could implement to ensure they gambled in moderation, such as setting money aside specifically for gambling, only gambling on certain days, and betting small amounts.
• Similarly, Currie et al. found that 45% of online survey respondents failed to “adhere to self-determined quantitative limits for spending, frequency, and time spent gambling” 21.
• They noted that these additional strategies were only discussed when probed by interviewers rather than being readily discussed, as was the case with monetary limits.

This Act sets out various requirements for operators, including the need to promote responsible gambling, prevent underage gambling and provide fair and transparent gaming experiences. Additionally, the Act emphasises the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harm. By actively involving loved ones and participating in community and workplace initiatives, individuals can build a robust support network that reinforces responsible gambling habits.

The non-random sampling approach may have limited the diversity of perspectives, but it aligns with the exploratory nature of the study. Potential biases, such as self-selection and social desirability, could have influenced participants’ responses, although these are inherent to qualitative research and provide valuable reflections on the subjective experiences of individuals. Future research could expand the sample to include a wider range of participants, thus helping to capture additional nuances and variations in gambling experiences.

Once you recognize the warning signs of problematic gambling, it’s crucial to implement strategies to manage your gambling habits. One effective method is to utilize gambling management tools, which are designed to help set limits, track gambling activities, and maintain control over gambling behavior. Establishing responsible personal limits when gambling is essential to help maintain control over your own gambling habits and ensure you are gambling safely, healthily and responsibly. Setting clear limits gives individuals the opportunity to manage their own gambling and ensure it remains an enjoyable and healthy activity. Personal limits allow gamblers to make well-informed and sensible decisions about the amount of time and money they invest into gambling. For example, if a player suddenly begins to wager significantly more than their typical amount or exhibits prolonged gaming sessions without breaks, the system can flag this behavior as potentially problematic.

Considering previous losses incurred due to gambling acts as a potent incentive towards cultivating change and averting future engagements in such activities. Anyone could fall victim to compulsive gambling regardless of their intelligence level or socio-economic status. While certain groups—for instance, men without higher education—may appear more vulnerable than others, they are not shielded from its grip either. Professional counseling provides tools to stop gambling, rebuild self-worth, and repair relationships. It also offers tailored strategies and access to a recovery community that understands your journey.

Understanding Responsible Gambling

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 1-3% of the global population suffers from gambling addiction, with only 0.14% of gamblers seeking informal and formal help. Others focused on the individual avoiding gambling by replacing it with something more “productive” and distracting themselves by “keeping busy”. This included spending time with friends and family, adopting a new hobby, or finding new ways to use the money instead. Identifying an appropriate support system is crucial for effectively managing gambling habits. It’s important to recognize that this journey doesn’t have to be undertaken in isolation.

Understanding the Impact of Mental Health Stigma on Seniors

They may also provide hotlines for immediate support, emphasising the emphasising of mental health. Several important laws and guidelines shape the regulatory landscape for online gambling in India. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) oversees the Intermediary Guidelines, which set expectations for digital platforms and ensure that online casinos are transparent in their operations and data collection practices. Setting realistic goals, such as making family proud, saving money for a vacation, or paying bills, can serve as motivation to overcome gambling.

Each digital audio recording was listened to multiple times, including for the initial transcription by the transcriber and again by the original interviewer to ensure accuracy. Using thematic analysis as a framework 18, the transcripts were read and transposed into themes representative of the analyzed content. In parallel with the analysis, reflective memos were written to document ideas about the patterns and relationships observed across themes. The themes identified were tagged alongside the text and were then grouped, combined, and ordered into central themes 19. Call us today to learn more about our IOS Psychiatric Day Treatment program and how we may be able to help you or a loved one dealing with mental health concerns.

The narrative was built around personal accountability; it was assumed that if someone gambled excessively, the fault lay with them rather than with the gambling environment. Operators often provided little in the way of proactive safeguards, operating under the assumption that most gamblers were capable of self-control. Consequently, measures such as self-exclusion programs or deposit limits were either non-existent or implemented only sporadically and without the benefit of modern technological support. Qualitative inquiry provides a industry sources show deep understanding of complex human behavior, but the findings from this study are not generalizable.

We have people ready to take your call and, if you’re elibible for treatment, to get you started as soon as possible. Call us today to learn more about obsessive gambling and how to control it, reach out today. They enable the formulation of strategies for either avoidance or better management, significantly diminishing relapse chances.

These participants stated that “limits” or “restrictions” could be introduced at the population level, for example through a system to limit the amount of time and money that could be spent on gambling products. Rather than requiring gamblers to implement their own limits or targeting specific at-risk gamblers, these participants described mechanisms which would require everyone who chooses to use gambling products to adhere to pre-determined limits. One participant suggested that limits should be set based on an individual’s income “like credit cards” to ensure affordability while others suggested a maximum “bet limit”. Most of these participants focused on limiting EGMs and venue-based gambling products. Potential mechanisms to enforce limits included a registration or identification system which would lock individuals from accessing products for a period of time if they reached a pre-determined limit.

Sharing information about available resources and events on social media or local platforms can also encourage others to learn more and get involved. Tools and apps can be combined with other strategies, including self-monitoring, to help you maintain control over your gambling activities and promote responsible gambling habits. It is important to choose the tools that best suit your needs and make a commitment to using them consistently for maximum effectiveness. Armed with these insights, operators can tailor their interventions to the specific needs of each player. For example, a player identified as being at high risk might receive personalized advice on setting lower deposit limits or be offered access to counseling services before any severe issues develop.

As a result, surveys have shown a 30% increase in player awareness regarding responsible gambling practices. Sweden has taken a proactive approach by implementing the Spelpaus service, a self-exclusion tool that allows individuals to block themselves from all licensed gambling activities temporarily. This initiative empowers individuals by placing control in their hands, significantly reducing the risk of problem gambling.

Understanding your primary motivation can assist in creating realistic and attainable goals. Recognizing your small victories helps build your motivation and reinforces the positive changes you’re making to stop gambling. If gambling takes up a large part of your day, quitting can leave you with more unstructured time than you’re used to. Filling the space that gambling used to occupy with something meaningful can help crowd out the behavior and reduce your cravings. Stay aware of any signs that may indicate a developing gambling problem, such as chasing losses, lying about gambling activities, neglecting responsibilities or feeling anxious or depressed about gambling. The data presented in this study are available upon request from the corresponding author.

The researchers aimed to recruit adults over the age of 18 years who lived in New South Wales or Victoria (Australia’s two most populous states). Qualtrics accessed potential participants through a range of panel-based databases comprised of individuals who had signed up to participate in online surveys. Individuals who met the demographic criteria were provided a link to information about the survey. If they wanted more information, they were provided a link to the Plain Language Statement and completed three eligibility questions to ensure that they met the study inclusion criteria.

This evolution from reactive to proactive strategies represents a fundamental paradigm shift in how stakeholders—regulators, operators, and public health advocates—address gambling-related harm. Today’s Responsible Gaming frameworks integrate advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, personalized tools, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to create a safer gambling environment. This paper examines the historical context of reactive strategies, outlines the inherent limitations of these traditional approaches, and then explores how proactive measures are transforming the industry. By understanding this shift, we can appreciate how modern Responsible Gaming practices not only mitigate harm more effectively but also contribute to a more sustainable and ethical gambling landscape. The tropes identified in this study provide further evidence for the need to refocus public communication away from unrealistic and stigmatising expectations of individual behaviour. This will help to support a broader legislative response, thus changing the social norms relating to gambling rather than focusing almost exclusively on the individual’s role in behaviour change.