In this report we give critical consideration to the nature and effectiveness of harm
minimisation in gambling. We identify gambling-related harm as both personal (e.g.,
health, wellbeing, relationships) and economic (e.g., financial) harm that occurs from
exceeding one’s disposable income or disposable leisure time. We have elected to use the
term ‘harm minimisation’ as the most appropriate term for reducing the impact of
problem gambling, given its breadth in regard to the range of goals it seeks to achieve,
and the range of means by which they may be achieved.
The extent to which an employee can proactively identify a problem gambler in a
gambling venue is uncertain. Research suggests that indicators do exist, such as sessional
information (e.g., duration or frequency of play) and negative emotional responses to
gambling losses. However, the practical implications of requiring employees to identify
and interact with customers suspected of experiencing harm are questionable,
particularly as the employees may not possess the clinical intervention skills which may
be necessary. Based on emerging evidence, behavioural indicators identifiable in industryheld
data, could be used to identify customers experiencing harm. A programme of
research is underway in Great Britain and in other jurisdiction
