The Development of BetMinder: A Mobile App to Help People Gamble Responsibly

Session Title

Session 1-4-B: Technology and Harm Minimization

Presentation Type

Event

Location

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Start Date

28-5-2019 3:30 PM

End Date

28-5-2019 4:55 PM

Disciplines

Health Psychology | Other Mental and Social Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction | Telemedicine

Abstract

This session describes how we put evidence-informed responsible gambling into people’s hands, literally. Financial literacy and principles of behavioural science informed this novel gambling solution. Specifically, the app provide gamblers with ‘just in time’ information via notifications on their phone, and also helps gamblers to track their wins and losses. In addition, the app translates spending into real opportunity cost (e.g., the amount you spent is equivalent to a trip to New York). I trace the path from initial conversations, to commissioned report, to consultation and application development and the stumbling blocks along the way. Future evaluation efforts are also discussed.

Keywords

mobile application, responsible gambling, behavioral tracking

Author Bios

As a Knowledge Broker at Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, Dr. Sztainert uses his knowledge and experience to provide research expertise and knowledge translation and exchange advice to stakeholder groups. Specifically, he works to get academic knowledge used and applied, so that knowledge created will ultimately help mitigate harm from gambling. Travis holds a PhD in Psychology from Carleton University and a Knowledge Translation Professional Certificate from SickKids Learning Institute.

Funding Sources

Funding from Gambling Research Exchange Ontario.

Competing Interests

None.

Comments

Participants will be inspired to think creatively about mobilizing evidence and benefit from our lessons learned in creating a mobile app. Participants will learn about a free-to-use app to support responsible gambling that may be useful for populations served.

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May 28th, 3:30 PM May 28th, 4:55 PM

The Development of BetMinder: A Mobile App to Help People Gamble Responsibly

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

This session describes how we put evidence-informed responsible gambling into people’s hands, literally. Financial literacy and principles of behavioural science informed this novel gambling solution. Specifically, the app provide gamblers with ‘just in time’ information via notifications on their phone, and also helps gamblers to track their wins and losses. In addition, the app translates spending into real opportunity cost (e.g., the amount you spent is equivalent to a trip to New York). I trace the path from initial conversations, to commissioned report, to consultation and application development and the stumbling blocks along the way. Future evaluation efforts are also discussed.