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Reducing Erroneous Cognition and the Frequency of Exceeding Limits among Slots Players: A Short (3-minute) Educational Animation Facilitates Responsible Gambling

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Abstract

Educating slot machine players about the odds of winning and the benefits of pre-commitment is important from a responsible gambling perspective. Educational animation is a favorable medium in this regard but requires a short and cognitively simple format. To this end, for Study 1a, we developed a 3-min educational animation to test its responsible gambling utility and compare it against a 9-min version developed by Wohl and colleagues (Journal of Gambling Studies 26:469-486, 2010) with slots machine players (N = 123). The 3- and 9-min version equally facilitated a reduction in erroneous cognitions and limit adherence during the subsequent gambling session compared to a control video. However, the animations’ effectiveness waned after 30 days. In Study 1b, slot players (N = 24) who watched both animations showed no version preference. Educational animations as a responsible gambling tool and the appropriate venue for short and long animations are discussed.

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Notes

  1. The no change category also included players who did adhere to limits before the experimental session, but did not adhere to a limit at the time of follow-up (n = 8).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Michael J. A. Wohl

  2. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    Diane L. Santesso & Kevin Harrigan

Authors
  1. Michael J. A. Wohl
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  2. Diane L. Santesso
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  3. Kevin Harrigan
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Correspondence to Michael J. A. Wohl.

Additional information

This research was supported by an Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC) research grant to all three authors. We are grateful to Mallory Calderwood, Travis Sztainert, Justin Mensen, Jamey Lister, Justin McManus, Melanie Simmon, Ryan Huckle, Brendan Sheehan, and Daniel Pearson-Hirdes for their assistance in data collection and analysis. We also thank the staff at the Casino Brantford and the Rideau Carleton Raceway. Without their support this project would not be possible. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Dr. Michael J.A. Wohl, Department of Psychology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1S 5B6. Tel: (902) 520–2600 x 2908, E-mail: michael_wohl@carleton.ca

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Wohl, M.J.A., Santesso, D.L. & Harrigan, K. Reducing Erroneous Cognition and the Frequency of Exceeding Limits among Slots Players: A Short (3-minute) Educational Animation Facilitates Responsible Gambling. Int J Ment Health Addiction 11, 409–423 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-012-9424-z

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