Contact us instead of gambling - an evaluation of web-based preventive measures at the Swedish National Gambling Helpline

Research problem and specific questionsProblem gambling (PG) is considered a serious public health concern, with approximately 2% of the adult population estimated to have gambling problems.

For every person with PG, an additional six persons are negatively affected, which goes to demonstrate the severity of the problem for the individual, for the immediate family and society.

The consequences of problem gambling are often economically and psychologically dire for those affected.There are evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PG, but treatment-seeking is generally low. Problem gamblers tend to seek treatment when gambling has become unmanageable and has already led to a life crisis.

This calls for evaluation and implementation of more effective measures at an earlier stage, to prevent the development of PG and to mitigate its consequences.The Swedish National Gambling Helpline offers support and advice through telephone, chat and via their website.

As a part of responsible gambling measures required by Swedish law, gambling operators often refer customers to the helpline, both through their gambling products, websites, and advertisements.Data and methodThe needs and experiences of gamblers and CSOs will be evaluated in both a survey study, and an interview study.

After that, three screening based interventions will be evaluated in a pragmatically randomized study.Plan for project realizationWe will utilize the only existing national service for problem gamblers, the National Gambling Helpline, and its website in Sweden, to reach gamblers and their concerned significant others (CSOs).

The website is visited by a large number of gamblers and CSOs.

For the interview study, and the survey study, we will recruit gamblers and CSOs through advertisements on the helpline’s website.The evaluation of the screening based interventions will be integrated on the helpline’s website, thereby providing automatic randomization when the participants choose to test their gambling habits.

Subsequently, we will monitor the participants for one year.Societal relevance and utilisationThis will be the first study that evaluates the general referral of people to the Swedish National Gambling Helpline.

By offering early interventions in this population, it is possible to prevent an escalation of gambling problems, and its negative consequences on mental health, CSOs, and other gambling-related harms.