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Testing Safer Gambling Video Advertising: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Author: Thinks Insight & Strategy, Professor Elliot Ludvig Published: August 2025

Summary

This project was a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) that tested the impact of different safer gambling advertising videos on gambling behaviours. The aim was to produce evidence to inform guidance on the design of effective safer gambling advertising videos and to establish which outcomes to use when measuring their impact

Topics covered​

  • How video-based safer gambling adverts affect gambling behaviours and attitudes​
  • How safer gambling videos created by gambling companies differ on outcomes compared to other stakeholders (e.g., charities)​
  • How innovative methodologies can be used to test the impact of communications

Key findings​

  • The research has shown that some operator-led safer gambling videos encourage gambling rather than safer gambling. Gambling companies presenting gambling as ‘harmless fun’ looks to be factor driving this “backfire” effect.​ 
  • The GambleAware ‘Magnets’ Stigma Campaign video was found to have a protective effect and reduced the likelihood of engaging with gambling. The advert seems to encourages self-reflection, counters the idea of gambling as harmless fun, and appears more trustworthy due to the separation from gambling companies.​
  • The research also showed that young people and those already experiencing harm were most susceptible to engaging with advertising.​
  • The research questions the role of self-regulation, and the need for guidelines to be created independent of industry. It also emphasises the need for more effective monitoring and accountability for the 20% of operators digital and broadcast budgets which are supposed to be spent on safer gambling.

Additional technical report

The technical report provides a more granular level of detail such as showing the experiments materials and extra analyses. This technical report will be used as the basis for potential academic publications.

 

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