GAMSPON - The relationship between gambling sponsorship and the normalization and prevalence of gambling

Sciensano will start its part of the GAMSPON project in 2024. To achieve the final goal, the project has been divided into 4 work packages:

• WP1: Identify the prevalence of (problematic) gambling behavior in the Belgian population aged 15 years and older and examine the relationship between exposure to gambling sponsorship and gambling behavior.
• WP2: Explore the causal relationships among adults between gambling sponsorship and (problematic) gambling behavior, attitudes regarding gambling behavior and intentions in relation to gambling behavior, and examine the underlying mechanisms that explain these relationships.
• WP3: Study the attitudes and perceptions of young people aged 16 to 21 regarding sponsorship by gambling brands and explore how such sponsorship contributes to the normalization of gambling.
• WP4: Inform key stakeholders (gambling industry, prevention workers and policymakers) concerning the results of the GAMSPON project and explore the willingness of these stakeholders to implement evidence-based guidelines.

Sciensano is responsible for implementing the first and fourth work packages. Work package 1 involves the organization of a survey (the National Health Survey 2023) to collect data on the prevalence of (problematic) gambling behavior in the Belgian population and investigate the relationship between gambling sponsorship and gambling behavior. In work package 4, qualitative research will be conducted, organizing focus groups with various stakeholders to formulate policy guidelines.   

Through the GAMSPON project, more empirical evidence on the impact of gambling advertising and gambling sponsorship will be provided, something that is currently rather scarce.