Long-term efficacy of an optimized online gambling self-exclusion procedure with extended suspension of commercial solicitations: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Most individuals self-excluding from gambling have lost control over their gambling behavior. Commercial solicitations are prohibited during the self-exclusion period, but resume immediately afterwards. The self-exclusion system appears insufficient, particularly for short self-exclusions and among the heaviest gamblers. We assessed the impact of extending suspension of commercial solicitations on gambling intensity.

METHODS

In this parallel randomized study, we included 2548 French online gamblers who self-excluded for up to 3 months from May-November 2022. They were assigned 1:1 to optimized self-exclusion with extended commercial solicitations ban for 9 months or standard procedure. The primary outcome was the change in total loss over the past 4 weeks at Month 9. We also assessed total deposit, total stakes, compulsivity, number and duration of gaming sessions and subsequent self-exclusions at 6, 9, 12 and 18 months.

RESULTS

Participants were randomized to the optimized group (n = 1265) or standard group (n = 1283). The results didn't show a significant difference in the reduction in total losses. The optimized group showed significantly reduced 4-week total deposits versus standard group at 6 months (455.68 euros vs. 319.65 euros, p = 0.017), 9 months (451.92 euros vs. 343.21 euros, p = 0.040), and 12 months (484.27 euros vs. 370.02 euros, p = 0.025). Significance was lost at 18 months (492.61 euros vs. 404.73 euros, p = 0.087).

CONCLUSIONS

An extended 9-month ban on direct commercial solicitations after self-exclusion significantly reduces gambling deposits during, and 3 months after, the ban. This supports the effectiveness of improving self-exclusion procedure. Future research should explore longer bans and indirect commercial solicitations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05413564.