Lower-Risk Participation in Gambling – Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract: Background: The basis of the threshold approach, which originally stems from alcohol-research, is the direct connection between consumption patterns and harms to health. Aim: This position paper addresses the question of the usefulness of transferring this concept to the gambling sector, including opportunities and challenges for practice and research. Initial empirical findings on lower-risk consumption thresholds indicate that both time and money spent on gambling, as well as the number of gambling forms used, appear to be relevant dimensions of consumption. Discussion: To develop thresholds that are practicable and effective in terms of prevention, various methodological and conceptual considerations need to be addressed in future research. These primarily relate to the statistical processing of available (consumption) data, the degree of differentiation of the thresholds (e.g., across all gambling forms vs. within specific gambling forms), the continuous review and further development of the thresholds, and the translation of research results into everyday language. Conclusions: Overall, the threshold concept has the potential to support the evidence-based addiction prevention in the gambling sector. The authors believe that valid lower-risk gambling thresholds can therefore make an important public health contribution in the fight against addiction.