Does online casino gameplay change prior to an account being closed for problematic gambling?

Abstract

Despite the potential harm associated with gambling game features, there has been limited research on this topic. Additionally, due to rapid technological advancements, online slots are rapidly evolving, and new ways to identify and help vulnerable people are needed. This study aimed to explore if certain game features could help identify problem gambling at an earlier stage. The study used secondary data from online casino players and examined a dataset consisting of 5,464,881 bets pertaining to 497 gamblers identified as having gambling issues, and 1,009,545 bets pertaining to 397 gamblers who did not appear to have gambling issues. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzed game features such as return to player, volatility, reel count, payline count, Megaways, fixed paylines, bonus buys, minimum allowed bet, maximum allowed bet, maximum win potential, gamble-feature, free spins, and jackpots to determine if problem gamblers gravitate towards certain game features during the last three months of gambling. Additionally, the study aimed to determine if problem gamblers varied from non-problem gamblers on the type of features they play on. The study found that chasing losses and mood modification could potentially be identified based on a player's choice of games. Making this the first-time chasing losses has been identified based on a gambler's choice of games. Additionally, the study identified signs of a possible mood modification measurement that would be based on game choice, which would be a new area of research in this field. These findings underscore the need for further research on the various game features given that there are still too many unknowns for these findings to be used in any form of evaluation or policy implementation. Further research will provide a more in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the existing protocols to develop new innovative processes that will aid in the identification of problem gambling at an earlier stage.