ICRG Research on Voluntary Self-Exclusion from Gambling Venues

Funding to support research into voluntary self-exclusion from gambling venues (land-based and online sites).

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), formerly the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG), is a US-based 501(c)(3) charitable organisation that was founded in 1996. Its mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder by supporting peer-reviewed, scientific research into gambling disorder; encouraging the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies; and advancing public education about gambling disorder and responsible gaming.

The ICRG has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) inviting investigators to apply for a three-year grant to study voluntary self-exclusion, a widely used harm reduction intervention designed to help individuals manage their gambling activities. As more research is needed to assess the effectiveness of voluntary self-exclusion (either land-based venues or online), the ICRG is interested in supporting research projects that investigate the following questions:

• What is the long-term effect on individuals who self-exclude?
• How does the presentation of the self-exclusion opportunity (eg is the term ‘self-exclusion’ potentially stigmatising?) and the length of various options for exclusion length affect uptake?
• Does the provision of brief interventions, or other forms of consultation, to those who self-exclude, improve the effectiveness of the intervention?
• What is the experience of self-exclusion? What is the motivation for participating in this programme? What can be learnt about help-seeking behaviour from a focus on self-exclusion?

This initiative is funded by GeoComply. One award will be made.