title: The Effects of Pop-up Harm Minimisation Messages on Electronic Gaming Machine Gambling Behaviour in New Zealand.
abstract: In New Zealand a simple pop-up message feature that provides gambling session information and forces a break in play is mandatory on all electronic gaming machines in all venues (EGMs). Previous research has demonstrated small effects of more sophisticated pop-up messages tested predominantly in laboratory environments. The present research examined gambler engagement with and views on the New Zealand pop-up messages and on the relationship between pop-up messages and EGM expenditure. A sample of gamblers was recruited at casino and non-casino (pub) EGM venues. Most participants were aware of pop-up messages (57 %) and many saw them often (38 %). Among gamblers who reported seeing pop-up messages, half read the message content, and a quarter believed that pop-up messages helped them control the amount of money they spend on gambling. Participants who reported being likely to stop gambling in response to pop-up messages spent significantly less money on gambling when variables that were independently associated with EGM expenditure were controlled for. A modest harm minimisation effect of the pop-up message feature that has been operating in New Zealand for 5 years was evident. Suggestions for improvement of the harm minimisation potential of the current pop-up message feature are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. katie.palmerdupreez@aut.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palmer du Preez
authors.affiliation: Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.|Department of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landon
authors.affiliation: Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellringer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.affiliation: Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D011998:Recreation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Electronic gaming machines; Harm minimisation; New Zealand; Pop-up messages; Problem gambling