Participants in both VSE groups gambled less, spent less money gambling, and reported decreased need for formal treatment. Measured outcomes were gambling frequency and expenditure, problem gambling scores, problem drinking scores, type of goal set for gambling behaviour, quality of life, and treatment-seeking.
Following a baseline assessment, participants were followed up at three, six, and twelve months via telephone interviews. Individuals who chose to self-exclude at gambling venues ( N = 201) were randomly assigned to participate in an online self-management program combined with VSE or to an in-person self-awareness educational workshop combined with VSE comparison group. The present study was a randomized controlled trial of a novel, online VSE self-management intervention. Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) programs are an ideal circumstance to engage individuals who are reluctant or have not yet sought formal treatment, given that individuals are already electing to prevent themselves from gambling through self-exclusion. Despite evidence for effectiveness, only a small proportion of individuals with gambling disorder ever access treatment and support resources for their problem.
