'Out of sight, out of mind' - Results of a focus group study on gamblers' use and evalaution of player protection measures in Germany

Background The growing prevalence of gambling-related problems underscores the importance of effective player protection measures and highlights gambling addiction prevention as a critical public health challenge. However, the perspective of gamblers has so far rarely been taken into account in the development of player protection measures in Germany. Furthermore, research indicates that gamblers' awareness and use of available information and support services for gambling problems are relatively low to moderate. Methods To address this gap, a focus group study was conducted with a total of 19 gamblers to gather in-depth information into their views on player protection measures. Participants were screened for problematic gambling behaviour using the Problem Gambling Severity Index prior to the discussions. Using a structured interview guide, participants were asked about their awareness and assessment of player protection measures as defined in the State Treaty on Gambling. They also evaluated various examples of both online and offline player protection information and suggested potential improvements. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed through qualitative content analysis. Results Information and messages on player protection were barely noticed and did not address the actual information needs of gamblers. Participants reported that their memories of responsible gambling messages were often vague and superficial, many were unaware of available counselling services. The critique highlighted issues such as poor visibility on websites, excessive text content and the preponderance of advertising vs. responsible gambling messages. The study identifies key improvements for responsible gambling (RG) communication: increasing RG visibility, using concise messaging, including social media and videos, implementing interactive tools and personalized feedback, and employing proactive warnings. RG content should be developed by independent organizations to increase credibility. Conclusion Including gamblers in the development of player protection measures and messages, along with identifying their information needs, can contribute to the evidence-based discussion on player protection and enhance its effectiveness.