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Our evidence themes and how they link to the Path to Play framework

Evidence theme 1

Early gambling experiences and gateway products

Evidence theme 2

The range and variability of gambling experiences

Evidence theme 3

Gambling-related harms and vulnerability

Evidence theme 4

The impact of operator practices

Evidence theme 5

Product characteristics and risk

Evidence theme 6

Illegal gambling and crime

How our priorities link to the Path to Play framework

The Path to Play framework identified stages that are present in each gambling journey:

• passive influences
• external triggers
• internal impulses
• active search
• play experience
• play outcome.

Each of the six evidence themes we have identified can be mapped to the Path to Play and shows the need for further research covering the breadth of the customer journey.

There is significant crossover across some of the evidence themes and the stages of the Path to Play, however, we have highlighted the primary areas of overlap as follows:

Early gambling experiences and gateway products

These primarily contribute to the ‘passive influences’ stage of the Path to Play.

The range and variability of gambling experiences

As suggested by the name, the topics of this theme impact every stage of the Path to Play: ‘passive influences’, ‘external triggers and internal impulses’, ‘active search’, ‘play experience’ and ‘play outcome’.

Gambling-related harms and vulnerability

Vulnerability, in particular, is significant for the ‘external triggers and internal impulses’ stage of the Path to Play, with the topics in this theme also affecting the ‘play experience’ and ‘play outcome’ stages.

The impact of operator practices

As detailed in the relevant section, the impact of operator practices stretches from ‘external triggers and internal impulses’, the ‘active search’ stage and impacts the ‘play experience’.

Product characteristics and risk

These factors are most likely to have an impact on the ‘active search’ and ‘play experience’ stages of the Path to Play.

Illegal gambling and crime

Aspects of this theme relate to the ‘external triggers and internal impulses’ and ‘active search’ stages, with the theme also linked to the ‘play outcome’ stage.

Each of the priority themes is explained in more detail in the following sections, along with our rationale for their inclusion as priorities and some indicative, aspirational questions. The Commission is not in a position to deliver a research programme to address all of these questions – some of which are extremely complex – so a brief note outlining steps that we will be prioritising as part of our own research delivery is included for each theme.

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Evidence theme 1 - Early gambling experiences and gateway products

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Last updated: 10 July 2023

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