Experience of the Nationwide Gambling Self-exclusion Service Spelpaus - Effects and Limitations of a Unique Harm Reduction Instrument for Problem Gambling

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Qualitative interview study addressing the effects and limitations of a unique, government-based, nationwide self-exclusion service for the reduction of gambling-related harm. This service, which allows for individuals at risk of gambling problems (and for anyone) to self-exclude from all licensed gambling in the country, is unique in its nationwide, non-gambling-operator-dependent and multi-operator design. It is a promising tool for the prevention and harm reduction in relation to problem gambling and gambling disorder, but emerging research data report considerable limitations including high access to non-licensed gambling allowing users to breach the voluntary self-exclusion and relapse into hazardous gambling practices. This study will examine effects and limitations of the system, for gamblers and for concerned significant others of gamblers, through qualitative interviews addressing their experience of the system.

Official Title
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Experience of the Nationwide Gambling Self-exclusion Service Spelpaus - Effects and Limitations of a Unique Harm Reduction Instrument for Problem Gambling

Conditions
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Gambling Disorder, Problem Gambling

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patient at a gambling disorder unit or self-recruited through social media advertising and defining as a person with a gambling problem, and/or concerned significant other of a patient at a gambling disorder unit or self-recruited through social media advertising and defining as a concerned significant other of a person with a gambling problem. Exclusion Criteria: Inability to provide informed study consent and to carry out a qualitative research interview, due to language difficulties and/or cognitive problems.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Individuals with a gambling problem<br>Recruited from a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or from social media advertising addressing individuals with a gambling problem. | Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')<br>* Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')<br>|
| Concerned significant others<br>Recruited as concerned signifiant others of patients at a gambling disorder treatment unit and/or in social media advertising addressing concerned significant others of individuals with a gambling problem. | Behavioral: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling ('Spelpaus')<br>* Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling, using the government-based, official service 'Spelpaus' (literally 'play break')<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Qualitative reporting of self-perceived effects from self-exclusion | Subjective perception of favorable effects on gambling behavior or well-being | Since 2019 | 
| Qualitative reporting of self-perceived harm or limitations from self-exclusion | Subjective perception of negative impact or lack of improvement with respect to gambling behavior or well-being | Since 2019 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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gambling disorder, problem gambling, concerned significant others, self-exclusion, harm reduction