Exploring the Users' Perspective of the Nationwide Self-Exclusion Service for Gambling Disorder, "Spelpaus": Qualitative Interview Study.

BACKGROUND

Problem gambling and gambling disorder cause severe social, psychiatric, and financial consequences, and voluntary self-exclusion is a common harm reduction tool used by individuals with gambling problems.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore users' experience of a novel nationwide, multioperator gambling self-exclusion service, "Spelpaus," in Sweden and to inform stakeholders and policy makers in order to improve harm reduction tools against gambling problems.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 individuals who reported self-perceived gambling problems and who had experience of having used the self-exclusion service Spelpaus in Sweden. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 3 categories and 8 subcategories. The categories were (1) reasons for the decision to self-exclude, (2) positive experiences, and (3) suggestions for improvement. The subcategories identified a number of reasons for self-exclusion, such as financial reasons and family reasons, and positive experiences described as a relief from gambling; in addition, important suggestions for improvement were cited, such as a more gradual return to gambling post-self-exclusion, better ways to address loopholes in the system, and transfer from self-exclusion to treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using a nationwide multioperator service, remains an appreciated harm-reducing tool. However, transfer from self-exclusion to treatment should be facilitated by policy making, and loopholes allowing for breaching of the self-exclusion need to be counteracted.