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. 2023 Jun;39(2):987-1011.
doi: 10.1007/s10899-022-10120-y. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Open Science Practices in Gambling Research Publications (2016-2019): A Scoping Review

Eric R Louderback  1   2 , Sally M Gainsbury  3 , Robert M Heirene  4 , Karen Amichia  1 , Alessandra Grossman  1 , Bo J Bernhard  5   6 , Debi A LaPlante  1   2
Affiliations

Open Science Practices in Gambling Research Publications (2016-2019): A Scoping Review

Eric R Louderback et al. J Gambl Stud. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

The replication crisis has stimulated researchers around the world to adopt open science research practices intended to reduce publication bias and improve research quality. Open science practices include study pre-registration, open data, open access, and avoiding methods that can lead to publication bias and low replication rates. Although gambling studies uses similar research methods as behavioral research fields that have struggled with replication, we know little about the uptake of open science research practices in gambling-focused research. We conducted a scoping review of 500 recent (1/1/2016-12/1/2019) studies focused on gambling and problem gambling to examine the use of open science and transparent research practices. Our results showed that a small percentage of studies used most practices: whereas 54.6% (95% CI: [50.2, 58.9]) of studies used at least one of nine open science practices, each practice's prevalence was: 1.6% for pre-registration (95% CI: [0.8, 3.1]), 3.2% for open data (95% CI: [2.0, 5.1]), 0% for open notebook, 35.2% for open access (95% CI: [31.1, 39.5]), 7.8% for open materials (95% CI: [5.8, 10.5]), 1.4% for open code (95% CI: [0.7, 2.9]), and 15.0% for preprint posting (95% CI: [12.1, 18.4]). In all, 6.4% (95% CI: [4.6, 8.9]) of the studies included a power analysis and 2.4% (95% CI: [1.4, 4.2]) were replication studies. Exploratory analyses showed that studies that used any open science practice, and open access in particular, had higher citation counts. We suggest several practical ways to enhance the uptake of open science principles and practices both within gambling studies and in science more generally.

Keywords: Gambling; Gambling disorder; Open science practices; Pre-registration; Problem gambling; Scoping review.

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Conflict of interest statement

When this article was published, the Division on Addiction (Division) was receiving funding from DraftKings, Inc., a sports betting and gaming company; Entain PLC (formally GVC Holdings PLC), a sports betting and gambling company; EPIC Risk Management; Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, a not-for-profit organization founded and funded by a group of distillers; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services via Health Resources in Action; MGM Resorts International via the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences and National Institute on Drug Abuse) via The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations; and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration via the Addiction Treatment Center of New England. During the past five years, the Division on Addiction has also received funding from David H. Bor Library Fund, Cambridge Health Alliance; Fenway Community Health Center, Inc.; Greater Boston Council on Alcoholism; Integrated Centre on Addiction Prevention and Treatment of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Hong Kong; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services via St. Francis House; the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration via the Gavin Foundation. During the past five years, the UNLV International Gaming Institute (IGI) has received research funding from MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts Ltd, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Ainsworth Game Technology, Sightline Payments, Global Payments, U.S.-Japan Business Council, State of Nevada, Knowledge Fund, and State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. IGI runs the triennial research-focused International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, whose sponsors include industry, academic, and legal/regulatory stakeholders in gambling. A full list of sponsors for the most recent conference can be found at https://www.unlv.edu/igi/conference/17th/sponsors. During the past five years, Dr. Eric R. Louderback has received research funding from a grant issued by the National Science Foundation (NSF), a government agency based in the United States. His research has been financially supported by a Dean’s Research Fellowship from the University of Miami College of Arts & Sciences, who also provided funds to present at academic conferences. He has received travel support funds from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to present research findings and has provided consulting services on player safety programs for Premier Lotteries Ireland. During the past five years, Dr. Sally Gainsbury has worked on projects that have received funding and in-kind support through her institution from the Australian Research Council, NSW Liquor and Gaming, NSW Office of Responsible Gambling, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, National Association for Gambling Studies, Responsible Wagering Australia, Australian Communication and Media Authority, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Association for Gambling Studies, ClubsNSW, Crown Resorts, and Wymac Gaming. Dr. Gainsbury has received honorarium directly and indirectly for research, presentations and advisory services from Gamble Aware, Behavioral Insights Team (UK), National Council on Problem Gambling Singapore, Star Entertainment, Australian Cricketers Association, Credit Suisse, Oxford University, ClubsNSW, Centrecare WA, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario, Crown, Community Clubs Victoria, Financial and Consumer Rights Council, Australian Communications and Media Authority, Taylor & Francis, VGW Holdings, Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, Gambling Research Australia, Responsible Gambling Trust, Clayton Utz, Greenslade, Coms Systems Ltd, Advance Gaming NZ Ltd, QBE Insurance, Department of Social Services, RSL & Services Clubs Assn, Communio, Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, North Sydney Leagues Club, Senet Compliance Academy, KPMG, New York Council on Problem Gambling, Clubs 4 Fun, Stibbe B.V., Minter Ellison, and Generation Next. The most up-to-date listing of funders and recent grants is available on her University website: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/sally-gainsbury.html. During the past five years, Dr. Robert Heirene has received funding and in-kind support from Responsible Wagering Australia (funding awarded to Gainsbury) and its online wagering site members. During the past five years, Karen Amichia has had no financial interests or funding to disclose. During the past five years, Alessandra Grossman has had no financial interests or funding to disclose. During the past five years, Dr. Bo J. Bernhard has received research funding from the U.S.-Japan Business Council, Wynn Resorts, Atomic 47/ePlata Banking, Las Vegas Sands, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Governor's Advisory Panel on Problem Gambling, the State of Nevada Knowledge Fund, and MGM Resorts International. He has received honoraria and/or travel support from ClubsNSW, Aristocrat Technologies, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, the National Council on Problem Gambling, IGT, Sundreams (Chile), AGS, the US-Japan Business Council, Global Market Advisors, Jewish Family and Community Services, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. During the past five years, Dr. Debi A. LaPlante has served as a paid grant reviewer for the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG; now International Center for Responsible Gaming [ICRG]), received travel funds, speaker honoraria, and a scientific achievement award from the ICRG, has received speaker honoraria and travel support from the National Collegiate Athletic Association, received honoraria funds for preparation of a book chapter from Université Laval, received publication royalty fees from the American Psychological Association, and received course royalty fees from the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education. Dr. LaPlante is a non-paid member of the New Hampshire Council for Responsible Gambling and the Conscious Gaming advisory board.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Diagram of study selection process. *We found 186 articles in specialized gambling-focused journals, including the Journal of Gambling Studies and International Gambling Studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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