JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling is a common, but likely underdeveloped, harm reduction tool in the management of gambling problems or gambling disorder. Large-scale, multi-operator, and operator-independent self-exclusion services are needed. A recent nationwide multi-operator self-exclusion service in Sweden (‘Spelpaus’) is promising, but recent data have revealed limitations to this system and possibilities to breach one’s self-exclusion through overseas online gambling. More knowledge is needed about the benefits and challenges of such an extensive self-exclusion service, and its effects as perceived by gamblers.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to provide in-depth experience of this novel self-exclusion service, addressing the effects and limitations perceived by individuals with gambling problems.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with gamblers with previous or existing experience of using the self-exclusion service ‘Spelpaus’. The aim is to interview enough gamblers in order to achieve saturation. Data will be analyzed using content analysis.

Results:

The data will be collected during May-August, 2023, and results will be finalized during 2023.

Conclusions:

This will be one of very few qualitative studies examining a self-exclusion service tool as perceived by the gamblers using it. Therefore, the present study has the potential to guide improvements of the self-exclusion service and to inform stakeholders and policy makers for future improvement of harm reduction tools against gambling problems. Clinical Trial: The study has been pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Clinical Trials Identifier NCT05693155).