Preferences for cashless gambling payment systems with integrated harm reduction measures among electronic gaming machine gamblers: a discrete choice experiment

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are strongly associated with gambling-related harm. Account-based cashless payment systems offer strategic opportunities over anonymous cash-based systems for implementing gambling harm reduction measures. This study assessed the preferences of Australian EGM gamblers toward cashless gambling systems through a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The DCE was designed to quantify the relative importance of different characteristics of hypothetical cashless gambling systems, and to assess willingness to deviate from the existing predominantly cash-based system. Data were analyzed using error components panel models. Responses from 363 Australian adults (Mage = 40.2 years; 30.9% female) who regularly use EGMs were analyzed. Gamblers most preferred a smartphone-based cashless gambling system that operates across multiple venues, involves mandatory self-imposed spending limits, and is linked with a loyalty scheme. Preferences for mandatory limits were stronger among gamblers at higher risk of harm. However, our model predicts that at least 42.5–62.9% of gamblers would not use a cashless system if the option to use cash remains available. Results suggest that uptake of cashless systems depends on the system’s features and is likely to be low for voluntary systems. A mandatory system with binding limits would maximize the potential effectiveness of an account-based system for reducing gambling harm.