Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

Benjamin Galipeau

Code:

NCT06341504

Conditions

Gambling

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Prevention pop-up messages

Mandatory time limit

Responsible gambling information

Electronic gambling machine (model IGT GL20)

Square terminal

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goals of this randomized controlled trial are to test the manifold effects of prevention pop-up messages on participants' behaviours, cognitions and affects. This study is conducted among regular EGMs' players (defined as having played EGMs at least once every two weeks for the past 12 months) who are not classified as probable pathological gamblers by the PGSI.

After answering a series of short questionnaires by phone, participants are asked to schedule a gambling session which is done in a laboratory on the university's campus. This laboratory replicates a typical bar, and is equipped with real EGMs. Participants are recruited under the false pretense of giving their opinion on the realism of the bar replica, and on the overall feeling of the gambling session in it. They are told that: (a) they are free to gamble as much and for as long as they like; (b) they are allowed to take breaks; (c) gambling is to be done with their own money; (d) the only compensation for participation are the potential winnings made while gambling; (e) net winnings across their whole session are paid, but losses are real. There is only one participant at a time in the laboratory for the gambling session.

After having stopped by their own volition (some exceptions apply, see "Detailed Description" for further details), participants are debriefed on the real goals of this study and reimbursed any incurred losses while gambling. They are then be asked to answer another series of questionnaires.

Conditions

Gambling

Study ID

NCT06341504

Start date

Feb 27, 2024

Status verified date

Mar, 2025

Completion date

Feb, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec, 2025

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • At least 18 years old (legal age to gamble in Quebec, Canada, where the study is conducted)
  • Functional literacy in french (study is conducted in french and requires reading and understanding simple texts)
  • Having played EGMs and least once every two weeks for the past 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Classified as a probable pathological gambler (score ≥ 8 on the PGSI)
  • Currently receiving treatment for problem gambling
  • Currently under self-exclusion from gambling venues

Study Design

Enrollment

80 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Prevention pop-up messages

Same as active comparator with the addition of prevention pop-up messages delivered during the gambling session on a fixed presentation schedule.

Due to hardware limitations on the EGMs' part, the prevention messages presented only alter what is shown on the play screen (they fill it completely, hiding the game), but can't pause the game per se. The EGMs' buttons, sound, and music are still operational while the message is shown. While disrupting play flow, this still lets the participant place bets (albeit without seeing what is going on).

active comparator: Regular gambling session control

Gambling session on EGMs in a room replicating a bar (subdued light, music, bar paraphernalia, fake liquor on display, research assistant acting as barman and selling non-alcoholic soft drinks and chips).

Participants are invited to participate under the false pretense of giving their opinion on the realism of the bar replica and overall feeling of the gambling session in it. They are told that: (a) they are free to gamble as much and for as long as they like; (b) they are allowed to take breaks; (c) gambling is to be done with their own money; (d) the only compensation for participation are winnings that could be made while gambling; (e) net winnings across their whole session are paid up to $500, but losses are real. Lost money is given back after debriefing (see Study Detailed Description).

Interventions

Prevention pop-up messages

Messages are shown full screen on the EGM's play screen on a fixed presentation schedule. Clock of the gambling session starts the first time the participant puts money in the EGM. From this event, messages are shown at those timepoints: \[1\] +10 minutes; \[2\] +40 minutes; \[3\] +70 minutes; \[4\] +100 minutes. Messages block the screen for 15 seconds before automatically closing. Up to 4 different messages are presented during the gambling session. Order is determined by sortition without replacement.

Messages have a warning heading "Caution!". Content is, from top to bottom: (a) time spent gambling from beginning; (b) warning that gambling could lead to serious monetary loss; (c) 1 of 4 self-appraisal phrases about current gambling behaviour; (d) advice to the participant that a break could help choose what is best for them; (e) countdown before the message closes itself; (f) Health department logo is shown in the lower right corner as a more "neutral" endorsement of the messages.

Mandatory time limit

Activated either when (a) the previous time limit is up; or (b) the player bank meter reaches $0. When the previous time limit is up, a pop-up takes up the upper third of the play screen and requires the player to set a new time limit using one of five choice buttons (four firsts buttons: 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes; fifth button: cash out, which prints a receipt and ends the gambling session). As the EGM cannot track who is playing, there are no limits on consecutive gambling sessions. When the player's bank meter reaches $0, the the pop-up described above appears as soon as new money is inserted in the EGM, no matter if the previous time limit is up or not.

Responsible gambling information

Located in a submenu accessed through a button on the main touch screen. This open a window which contains basic information on randomness and responsible gambling advice. The information is presented in small white font on a black background.

Electronic gambling machine (model IGT GL20)

EGM model currently in use in Quebec, Canada, the location where this study is conducted. The EGMs used in this study are fully functional and unaltered except for the presentation of prevention pop-up messages in the experimental arm of this study. These machines are equipped with basics responsible gambling features, the two main ones described in this section (i.e. "Mandatory time limit"; "Responsible gambling information"). Wins/losses sequence is fully randomized and not determined beforehand.

Square terminal

This terminal allows for buying non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks or coffee) and chips during the experimentation. This is done to enhance the realism of the bar setting. It also allows for real cash withdrawal from bank account during gambling session. Quebec's code of conduct for EGMs commercialization prohibits retailers from having an ATM near their EGMs, and prohibits them from lending money to consumers or withdrawing cash for them to gamble. However, this rule is not always followed in practice. For this study, participants will be allowed to withdraw from their bank account, at the bar counter, if they ask for it. However, this will not be offered to them upfront.

Primary outcome measure

  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Gambling session's total duration [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Total time effectively spent gambling [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Number of breaks taken [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Mean breaks' duration [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Total breaks duration [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Mean time elapsed between breaks [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Money betted (physical) [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Money betted (all) [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Number of bets placed [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Gambling speed [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Gambling intensity (physical) [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Gambling behaviour (between group) - Gambling intensity (all) [ Time Frame: Assessed at following timepoints from start of gambling session in the laboratory (Experiment phase; 0 hours 0 minutes): [1] +10 minutes; [2] +40 minutes; [3] +70 minutes; [4] +100 minutes; [5] end of gambling session (+2 hours maximum). ]
  • Perceived self-control while gambling on EGMs (between group) [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • General level of fun while gambling on EGMs (between group) [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Psychological reactance to prevention pop-up messages (between group) [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Perceived behavioural effectiveness of prevention pop-up messages (between group) [ Time Frame: Assessed at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Change in gambling behaviours (within group) - Money betted (physical) [ Time Frame: Change from Pre-experiment phase (i.e. "intake"; single measurement point; cover past 12 months) at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Change in gambling behaviours (within group) - Total time effectively spent gambling [ Time Frame: Change from Pre-experiment phase (i.e. "intake"; single measurement point; cover past 12 months) at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Change in perceived self-control while gambling on EGMs (within group) [ Time Frame: Change from Pre-experiment phase (i.e. "intake"; single measurement point; cover past 12 months) at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]
  • Change in general level of fun while gambling on EGMs (within group) [ Time Frame: Change from Pre-experiment phase (i.e. "intake"; single measurement point; cover past 12 months) at the end gambling session in the laboratory (Post-experiment phase). Session's length is decided by participant (but limited to 2 hours maximum). ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

CQEPTJ

1 866 677-5389recrutementJEUX@psy.ulaval.ca

Benjamin Galipeau

benjamin.galipeau.1@ulaval.ca

Locations

Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu

Recruiting

Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6

Contacts

Benjamin Galipeau

benjamin.galipeau.1@ulaval.ca

Christian Jacques, M.Ps.

christian.jacques@psy.ulaval.ca

Principal Investigator:

Benjamin Galipeau

More Information

Sponsor

Benjamin Galipeau

Last update posted

Apr 1, 2025

Last verified

Mar, 2025

Keywords

  • Prevention messages
  • Pop-up messages
  • Prevention
  • Gambling
  • Harmful gambling
  • Responsible gambling
  • Harm reduction
  • Communication
  • Self appraisal

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Benjamin Galipeau on 2025-04-01.