Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Across the world many campaigns have targeted individuals targeting gambling addiction often emphasizing on how the damage can go beyond financial destruction and also disturb an individuals personal relationships with their spouse and family.
Gambling addiction is a type of behavioral addiction that involves compulsive gambling despite negative consequences. It is also known as pathological gambling or gambling disorder. People with gambling addiction may experience intense cravings to gamble, have difficulty controlling their gambling behavior, and continue to gamble even when it causes financial or personal problems. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop gambling, such as anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
A new study has found that the current campaign being conducted in the UK is ineffective. Academics discovered that that the widely used Take Time to Think slogan is ineffective on an individual’s behavior while gambling, after testing its effectiveness in a virtual casino atmosphere.
Take Time to Think, a national campaign handled by the Betting and Gaming Council, that is intended to encourage safe and responsible gambling behavior.
The ‘Take Time to Think’ slogan is utilized in gambling adverts in online and on television, together with high-street arcades, betting shops as well as casinos and bingo halls.
The results were released as the gambling industry anticipates the UK Government’s white paper which is expected to bring in new guidance in gambling regulations.
Academics pointed out that awareness messaging for gambling must be formed in a similar manner to warning labels on other recreational yet possibly dangerous products like alcohol and tobacco.
Experts emphasized that clearer messaging on gambling harm will be required if the industry is to assist customers moderate their gambling behavior.
“If the industry is to be successful at preventing gambling harm, awareness messaging should be strongly worded, but independently developed, tested and validated in order to better inform and educate people about gambling and its risks.” said Professor Elliot Ludvig, professor of Psychology at the University of Warwick.
