Boomerang Effects of Gambling Warnings Exposed to Non-Problem Gamblers

Gambling is the most popular form of entertainment in most markets where it is legal. The industry has embraced technology and is a growing category online and through mobile platforms. Governments throughout the world worry about the product when gambling is more widely available and more private to play. Warnings for problem gambling have long been used in land-based gambling venues but online gambling often does not have this remedy. In addition, non-problem gamblers make up about 99% of gamblers but little research has tested their reaction to warnings. An online casino was developed to test warnings and found that a significant proportion of non-problem gamblers gambled more frequently after exposure to the warnings. Because increased frequency of gambling is one symptom of problem gambling, the implications of these findings are discussed in terms of future remedies for consumers that have problems with gambling products.