Closing the Responsible Gambling Tool Uptake Gap: How Modest Incentives Nudge Players Toward Positive Play

Session Title

Responsible Gambling: Tools & Self-Assessment

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

26-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Pre-commitment tools reduce gambling-related harm, yet uptake remains low. We conducted two field studies testing whether modest incentives can increase enrollment. In Study 1, casino players were randomly offered a $10 food-court voucher to enroll in a monetary pre-commitment tool (n = 393 incentive; n = 370 control). Although there was no main effect of the incentive, gambling literacy moderated outcomes: players low in gambling literacy were most likely to enroll when incentivized. Study 2 was a preregistered randomized controlled trial delivered through a casino operator’s digital wallet (n = 158 incentive; n = 156 control). Participants received either standard information about the deposit-limit tool or the same information plus 500 loyalty points (value = $5 USD). Incentivized players were more likely to click the enrollment link (36.1% vs. 25.0%) and substantially more likely to enroll based on account verification (17.1% vs. 2.1%). These studies provide rare real-world evidence that even small, low-cost incentives can move the needle on responsible gambling behavior. For operators and regulators, embedding modest rewards into existing loyalty infrastructures represents a scalable, practical pathway to drive meaningful increases in pre-commitment adoption. Specifcially, incentives can help close the long-standing gap between tool availability and real-world use.

Author Bios

Wohl's research focuses on, among other things, factors that facilitate responsible gambling. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers, 70 government or gaming industry reports, and is the receipt of, among other recognitions, the International Center for Responsible Gaming’s Research Achievement Award and Carleton University’s Graduate Mentorship Award. To facilitate his research, he has received research funding from an array of national and international

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May 26th, 12:00 AM

Closing the Responsible Gambling Tool Uptake Gap: How Modest Incentives Nudge Players Toward Positive Play

Pre-commitment tools reduce gambling-related harm, yet uptake remains low. We conducted two field studies testing whether modest incentives can increase enrollment. In Study 1, casino players were randomly offered a $10 food-court voucher to enroll in a monetary pre-commitment tool (n = 393 incentive; n = 370 control). Although there was no main effect of the incentive, gambling literacy moderated outcomes: players low in gambling literacy were most likely to enroll when incentivized. Study 2 was a preregistered randomized controlled trial delivered through a casino operator’s digital wallet (n = 158 incentive; n = 156 control). Participants received either standard information about the deposit-limit tool or the same information plus 500 loyalty points (value = $5 USD). Incentivized players were more likely to click the enrollment link (36.1% vs. 25.0%) and substantially more likely to enroll based on account verification (17.1% vs. 2.1%). These studies provide rare real-world evidence that even small, low-cost incentives can move the needle on responsible gambling behavior. For operators and regulators, embedding modest rewards into existing loyalty infrastructures represents a scalable, practical pathway to drive meaningful increases in pre-commitment adoption. Specifcially, incentives can help close the long-standing gap between tool availability and real-world use.