Deep technologies and safer gambling: A systematic review.

Abstract Studies suggest that algorithms can effectively be used to predict self-reported problem gambling using player tracking data. The present study analyzed a sample of real-world online gamblers ( N = 1,611) who engaged in lottery playing, casino gambling, bingo playing, and sports betting. The data also comprised each player’s actual gambling activity, as well as age and gender, in the 30 days prior to answering the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Players who engaged in at least one lottery game 30 days prior to answering the PGSI were less likely to be problem gamblers compared to players who did not play lottery games. For all other game-categories the relationship was reversed. The results also indicated that specific behavioral tracking features—such as the average number of monetary deposits per session, total amount of money bet per day, session length, and casino gambling involvement—were among the most significant predictors of self-reported problem gambling. When evaluating different machine algorithms, logistic regression and random forest emerged as the most effective in predicting self-reported problem gambling. The present study is among the few which predicts self-reported problem gambling using a sample of online lottery players, casino gamblers, bingo players and sports bettors, and provides further empirical evidence supporting the use of machine learning models to identify self-reported problem gamblers based on player tracking data. These findings can inform responsible gambling strategies by enabling operators to identify and intervene before gambling-related problems escalate.

This study explores the psycho-social impact of gambling on families in Hwange Urban Area, focusing on the lived experiences of affected members. Guided by an interpretivist framework, a qualitative design was adopted with purposive sampling of 20 participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were thematically analysed. Results indicate that gambling undermines family cohesion, leading to conflicts, emotional distress, financial instability, strained parent-child relationships, and social isolation. Domestic tension was frequently reported, highlighting gambling’s role in disrupting household harmony. The study concludes that gambling exerts profound psycho-social costs on families, extending beyond individual gamblers. It recommends community-based awareness programs on responsible gambling, counselling services for affected households, and stronger regulatory policies to reduce gambling-related harm. These measures are essential to safeguard family well-being, alleviate psychosocial stress, and strengthen community support systems. Received: 12 November 2025 / Accepted: 30 December 2025 /Published: January 2026

Dark patterns are online platform design features that influence consumer behaviour to the advantage of the interface designer. In online gambling, such designs may exacerbate gambling-related harms, particularly among vulnerable consumers. This study aims to provide the first scoping review of dark patterns in online gambling. Following established scoping review frameworks, we systematically searched databases and grey literature using terms related to dark patterns and online gambling. The review protocol was preregistered. Included articles (n = 16) addressed a variety of gambling-related dark patterns: hidden gambling management tools, inducements with complex conditions, minimum balances required to withdraw funds, unnecessary frictions involved in closing an account, high defaults in stake, deposit, reality check and deposit limit settings, and urgency-based gambling prompts. To address inconsistent terminology across studies, we synthesised existing literature by mapping identified dark patterns to a transdisciplinary framework, providing greater conceptual clarity and direction for future research. The potential for harm from dark patterns is evident, yet evidence on behavioural impacts is limited, hindered by restricted access to proprietary gambling operator data. Research in this area is sparse and fragmented, often using inconsistent terminology. Future studies should empirically investigate the influence of dark patterns on consumer behaviour, especially among vulnerable populations, and evaluate safer design alternatives. We recommend mandating gambling operators to collaborate with researchers to assess platform safety, and shifting the burden of proof onto operators to demonstrate that their platforms prioritise consumer safety and foster responsible gambling environments.

This study explores the lived experiences of Millennials involved in online gambling, focusing on the psychological, emotional, and financial consequences. Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants, all of whom regularly engage in online gambling. Thematic analysis of the data identified core motivations such as entertainment, the thrill of winning, and the pursuit of financial gain. Respondents described online gambling as an immersive experience, driven by features like graphics, sound effects, and the potential for large jackpots, which kept them engaged. However, the study also revealed significant emotional consequences, including stress, anxiety, and frustration especially when participants faced losses. Some described these emotions as chronic impacts due to ongoing gambling, while others noted situational stress triggered by specific losses. Furthermore, financial difficulties arose from impulsive betting, often exacerbating emotional strain. Social media influencers and vloggers were identified as major influencers, with many respondents citing these platforms as their gateway into online gambling. These influencers often indirectly shaped gambling behaviors by normalizing the activity through their content. Despite the negative emotional and financial effects, some respondents reported using self-regulation strategies, such as setting time limits or taking breaks. However, these efforts were often insufficient in managing the emotional distress or financial loss. Based on these findings, the study recommends public education campaigns on responsible gambling, stricter regulation of gambling-related content on social media, and the integration of self-regulation tools on gambling platforms. These interventions could help mitigate the adverse impacts of online gambling and encourage responsible gambling practices. Further studies should explore the long-term effects of online gambling and the efficacy of self-regulation tools.

Learn tips for responsible gambling Early morning practices impact student‐athletes’ sleep Study reveals what parents think about kids’ athletics future NCAA findings uncover rates of harassment by bettors

IntroductionAgainst the backdrop of rapid social transformation, emerging social issues have heightened public uncertainty and risk perception. In this context, the consumption of China's sports lottery has expanded rapidly. While this growth benefits sports development and public welfare funding, it has also raised concerns about gambling addiction and associated psychosocial problems. Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study investigates the mechanism through which social risk perception influences sports lottery gambling addiction, and examines the moderating role of social support. The aim is to provide theoretical insights for policy interventions and the promotion of responsible gambling behavior.MethodsA survey was conducted with 362 Chinese sports lottery consumers. Data validity and reliability were assessed using SPSS 25.0. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to test the relationships among the variables.ResultsResults indicate that social risk perception significantly and positively predicts sports lottery gambling addiction. Moreover, social support significantly moderates this relationship, such that higher levels of social support weaken the positive impact of social risk perception on addictive behaviors.DiscussionThe findings highlight the complex role of psychosocial factors in addictive behaviors and provide a theoretical basis for targeted interventions. Strengthening social support networks and improving policy design may reduce social risk perception, thereby preventing and mitigating gambling addiction among lottery players. These results underscore the practical value of social support in public health policy.

BackgroundAccountability for gambling-related harms remains a contested issue, with debates centering on who should be responsible and how interventions should be structured. While Responsible Gambling (RG) frameworks have traditionally emphasized individual responsibility through voluntary tools, growing concerns have led regulators to introduce more robust, operator-focused duty of care requirements. This study analyzes Action Plans (APs) submitted by 52 licensed Swedish gambling operators to examine how duty of care obligations are interpreted and implemented.MethodThe study employed a mixed-methods approach to analyze the APs, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The process involved a conceptual literature review, the development of a purpose-built critique instrument, rubric-based scoring, and thematic content analysis. Each AP was individually coded and scored using a five-point Likert scale (i.e., 0 – 4) across key duty of care themes. This approach enabled a comprehensive evaluation of how operators interpret, articulate, and operationalize duty of care responsibilities within the Swedish gambling regulatory framework.ResultsThe overall alignment scores were generally low, with a median of 1.94 and 50% of documents falling within a moderately spread range of 1.15 to 2.75; only 10% scored above 3.25. While operators performed relatively well in monitoring and risk identification (mean = 2.67), their lower scores in proactive engagement (mean = 1.62) point to a reactive, response-driven focus rather than a preventive strategy. Additionally, a prevailing narrative across the APs frames harmful gambling as affecting only a vulnerable group, thereby subtly justifying minimal and narrowly targeted interventions.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the influence of RG frameworks, with many operators emphasizing individual responsibility rather than systemic harm reduction. In addition, there is a need for clearer, more robust guidelines, as higher compliance was linked to well-defined requirements. Instrumental templates, such as the critique tool developed in this study, can support designing measurable requirements and evaluating their implementation. Finally, duty of care directives can play a dual role: establishing harm reduction specifications and reshaping the narratives that define gambling. Framing them as both regulatory tools and narrative-making platforms can provide policymakers with a powerful means to reorient the discourse around gambling and enhance harm reduction outcomes.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-025-01349-y.

This study investigates how framing sports betting odds as AI-predicted win rates influences wagering behavior, compared to identical predictions labeled as originating from human experts. Drawing on behavioral economics concepts such as the Illusion of Control, belief updating biases, and trust in algorithmic decision-making, we conducted an online survey experiment with 230 participants from 26 provinces in mainland China. Respondents were exposed to hypothetical football match scenarios in which betting advice was attributed either to AI or to human experts, with detailed demographic, AI trust, and Illusion of Control measures collected. Probit and OLS regressions reveal that expert framing significantly increases both the likelihood of placing a bet and the selection of the advised team, whereas AI framing has no significant effect on market entry or choice direction. However, both expert and AI labels increase intended stake sizes among participants who choose to bet, suggesting that algorithmic advice can heighten financial commitment without attracting new bettors. The results indicate a persistent trust advantage for human experts in the Chinese sports betting context, consistent with global evidence on algorithm aversion. Policy implications include the need for transparent AI performance disclosure, targeted responsible gambling measures, and public education to mitigate cognitive biases. This research contributes to the literature by empirically linking AI framing effects, cognitive bias, and demographic moderators in a high-stakes decision-making environment, offering insights for both regulators and platform designers seeking to balance innovation with consumer protection.

BackgroundElectronic gambling machines and online gambling are the reputedly most damaging gambling type from a public health perspective. Pop-up messages are often used as a responsible gambling (RG) measure to prevent harm for these screen-based types of gambling. Despite some evidence of effectiveness in the literature for these messages, limitations persist, among which low ecological validity is of particular concern.ObjectiveThis study aims to test (1) the potential of pop-up messages as a prevention measure in a gambling setting and (2) whether this potential is moderated by characteristics of people exposed to the messages. Secondary objectives also tackle some fundamental assumptions of gambling studies conducted in a laboratory setting.MethodsThis is a 2-arm stratified block randomized controlled study. In total, 80 participants are recruited under the false pretense of evaluating the realism of a gambling session in a laboratory replicating a bar. Duplicity is also used to make participants believe that they are risking their own money during the experimentation (ie, winnings and losses are real). Participants are randomized to one of the two arms in a 1:1 ratio: (1) experimental group (regular gambling session with prevention pop-up messages presented on a fixed schedule) and (2) active control group (regular gambling session). Outcomes measures include behaviors and cognitive and emotional responses to the pop-up messages. The believability of the gambling session’s realism is also evaluated.ResultsRecruitment began in February 2024 and concluded in December 2024. Results are expected to be published in 2026. No results are currently available.ConclusionsThis study will provide new insights on the efficacy of pop-up messages as a prevention measure for gambling as well as the appropriateness of laboratory studies as a substitute to a real-life setting.

Evidence on the effectiveness of a gamified intervention for gambling prevention problems in vocational training and university students.

Abstract Gambling advertising has hardly been subjected to moral scrutiny, and ethical evaluation is long overdue. In this paper, I put “responsible gambling” messages of UK marketing campaigns purporting efforts by the gambling industry to encourage safer gambling to ethical scrutiny. A UK context‐based “semiotic” analysis serves as a prelude to the assessment of the moral blameworthiness of gambling advertising. Drawing mainly from Kantian deontological ethics and Ross' prima facie moral duties, a theoretical framework built upon the key issues of honesty, the avoidance of deception , non‐maleficence , and legitimacy is proposed. The semio‐ethical evaluation leads to an unambiguous verdict of moral wrongness. In addition to a novel approach combining semiotics and ethics and radical legislative implications, the study contributes to developing a better appreciation of how a higher‐order semiotic reading of textual signs used in gambling advertising can at least help mitigate the social cognitive conditioning of public perception.

With the popularization of electronic sports (esports), an emerging type of gambling activity, esports betting, has risen. Esports gamblers are vulnerable to Gambling Disorder (GD), but we lack knowledge about their cognitive predictors of GD. Desire thinking about gambling (DTG) is found as a risk factor for GD in general gamblers, but little is known about its role in esports gamblers and its bidirectional relationship with GD. This study aimed to examine the differences in DTG between esports gamblers and their non-esports counterparts, as well as the bidirectionality between DTG and GD among gamblers. We conducted a two-wave, longitudinal online study with a 6-month interval. Data from 1,063 lifetime gamblers (50.0% female, Mage = 29.11 years, SD = 7.78), of whom 50.5% were esports gamblers, was collected. At follow-up, 582 of the participants completed the same survey. Esports gamblers reported higher levels of DTG and GD at both time points. The bidirectionality between DTG and GD was noted. Sub-group analysis identified a more prominent prediction of imaginal prefiguration on GD among esports gamblers. Our findings suggest a higher risk of GD among esports gamblers, with DTG forming a reciprocal loop with such risk. Findings highlight the adverse impact of imaginal prefiguration on GD, especially in esports gamblers. Based on these findings, regulators should consider being more vigilant in the early screening of GD in esports gamblers. Appropriate preventative strategies (e.g., promoting responsible gambling) and psychological interventions (e.g., Metacognitive Therapy) may help reduce gambling-related harms among esports gamblers.

Media play an integral part in the presentation of information surrounding gambling, and thus, it is important to consider the sharing of such details to inform and educate about suggested participation in sports wagering. This study analyzes discourse during ESPN's dedicated sports betting program, ESPN Bet Live (formerly Daily Wager), to produce a typology of responsible mediated gambling language offered by on-air talent and through visual graphics to an active gambling audience. Analysis of 45 episodes aired during the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments between 2021 and 2024 revealed four broad categories- announcer transparency, bet certainty, bookmaking education, and investment terminology- and four distinct types of evidence- X's & O's, traditional statistics, betting statistics, and non-scientific. Announcers rarely communicated specific responsible gambling recommendations but offered justification primarily through analysis of game play and traditional statistics. As media coverage of sports betting hurdles beyond journalistic responsibility of reporting scandals to the integration of gambling information and recommendations, it is incumbent upon sports media to present wagering information in a responsible manner.

The Perceptions and Receptiveness to Responsible Gambling by College Men who Sports Bet: A Focus Group Study

In this study, a total of 41 experts were interviewed in two phases (2021 and 2023). The interviews were transcribed and examined with advanced machine learning models like k-mean clustering and BERT. The findings revealed five main themes: human-AI collaboration, regulatory changes, AI model development, gaming system and player engagement, and AI ethics and risks. The findings show a shift from the experimental nature of AI in 2021 to emerging patterns of terns personalized player interaction, data-driven decision-making, and predictive analytics. Challenges were detected (e.g., regulatory gaps, algorithmic bias, operational integration, fraud prevention, and responsible gambling), and solutions were provided to address them. This research contributes to understanding AI's transformative role in the hospitality and tourism industry, providing actionable insights for operators, regulators, and researchers navigating the balance between innovation and responsibility.

Purpose: This study explores the impact of technology, particularly online sports betting, on the academic performance of university student-athletes in Kenya. While technology offers opportunities, it also creates challenges, such as distractions, poor time management, sleep disruption, and financial or psychological distress. Methodology: This study employed a descriptive research design targeting 24,639 student-athletes and university sports officers across Kenyan universities. Using simple random sampling, a representative sample of 423 participants was selected, including 385 athletes and 38 sports officers. Data collection involved self-report questionnaires, observation score sheets, and key informant protocols, with gambling behaviors carefully recorded during observations. Findings: The regression analysis showed that gambling severity explains 5% of the variance in students’ academic performance (R² = 0.05), with the model being statistically significant (F = 12.907, p < 0.001). The regression coefficient (β = 0.346, p < 0.001) indicates a positive and significant relationship, meaning that an increase in gambling severity predicts poorer academic performance. Additionally, demographic factors significantly moderated this relationship, increasing the explained variance to 56.6% (R² = 0.566, F = 3.07, p < 0.001). This suggests that demographic characteristics strongly influence how gambling severity affects academic outcomes, aligning with findings that socioeconomic background relates to gambling addiction and its effects. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the Online sports betting companies should engage scholars in formulating policies that advocate for responsible gambling practices while mitigating the risks associated with academic detrimental online betting behaviours. Secondly, prior to granting licenses, betting companies should implement technological solutions that empower users to establish personal gambling limits, particularly for student-athletes representing Kenyan universities, to prevent excessive spending and potential addiction. Third, both public and private higher education institutions should create betting policies that foster mental wellbeing, which may include regular mental health workshops and screenings.

This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of studies on online gambling. Web of Science Core database was used to obtain all publications on online gambling between 1998 and 2024. The bibliometric analysis was confined to studies published up to 2024, given that 2025 is still in progress and the complete body of literature for that year is not yet accessible. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using the VOSviewer program. The study initially determined that the number of studies in the domain of online gambling exhibited an overall increase from 1998 to 2024, with a few exceptions. A co-authorship analysis indicates that England is the most prolific nation in this field of study. Subsequently, Australia, Canada, the United States of America, and Spain are in descending order of productivity. The analysis yielded the conclusion that Nerilee Hing is the most influential researcher in the field of online gambling. The results of the cooccurrence analysis indicated that the most frequently used keywords were related to "gambling", "online gambling", "problem gambling", "responsible gambling", "addiction", "COVID-19", and "adolescent". In this study, it was concluded that research on online gambling addiction has increased over the years and that online gambling addiction has been emphasized in different cultures.

Since the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, the industry has grown rapidly in the United States, raising concerns about the risk of problem gambling. Building on existing research that suggests the limited effectiveness of traditional responsible gambling campaigns, the current study examines whether the use of celebrity endorsers in advertising can enhance responsible gambling intentions. Using a scenario-based experiment with 383 U.S. sports bettors, regression analyses reveal that an endorser whose image aligns with the target audience increases consumer awareness of responsible gambling messages, thereby enhancing intentions to gamble responsibly. In addition, an image-congruent endorser boosts consumers' betting intentions and word-of-mouth advocacy for the sportsbook. Although image congruence in advertising is often operationalized through racial similarity, the findings suggest that same-race endorsers are effective in enhancing image congruence only when sports betting is perceived as socially acceptable. This study is the first to examine the effect of endorser-consumer image congruence on consumer intentions toward both sports betting brands and responsible gambling. The findings provide important insights to sportsbooks aiming to balance branding and social responsibility in marketing campaigns.

Technological advancements in algorithmic personalization are widely believed to influence user behavior on online gambling platforms. This study explores how such developments, potentially including AI-driven mechanisms, may affect cognitive and motivational processes, especially in relation to risk perception, decision-making, and betting persistence. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel regression models applied to behavioral data from a gambling platform, we examine patterns that are consistent with increased personalization between two distinct time periods, 2016 and 2021. The datasets do not contain any direct metadata regarding AI interventions. However, we interpret changes in user behavior over time as indicative of evolving personalization dynamics within a broader technological and contextual landscape. Accordingly, our conclusions about algorithmic personalization are inferential and exploratory, drawn from temporal comparisons between 2016 and 2021. Our findings show that users receiving personalized bonuses or making early cash-out decisions tend to adjust their stake sizes and betting frequency in systematic ways, which may reflect indirect effects of technological reinforcement strategies. These behavioral patterns raise important ethical and regulatory questions, particularly regarding user autonomy, algorithmic transparency, and the protection of at-risk users. This research contributes to the literature on digital behavior influencing gambling by framing the analysis as observational and quasi-experimental and suggests that further studies use experimental and log-level data to more specifically analyze the algorithmic effects. However, no causal claims can be made about AI influence as the temporal contradictions are interpreted as broad phenomena of technological developments, since they are not measured as algorithmic interventions. Further studies should also investigate the development of predictive models aimed at countering gambling addiction; evaluate the long-term ethical implications of algorithmic personalization; and discuss potential solutions codeveloped to foster a responsible gambling climate.