Setting a hard (versus soft) monetary limit decreases expenditure: an assessment using player account data

Considerable debate has focused on whether pre-commitment to a money and/or time limit and adherence to that limit should be mandatory or voluntary. A unique feature of Ontario Lottery and Gaming's player management system (My PlaySmart) provides a middle ground by allowing players to select whether they are permitted to continue playing once their limit is reached (the soft lock option) or whether continued play is not permitted (the hard lock option). We assessed the relative responsible gambling utility of these two options using player account data by comparing play data before and after enrollment. Players who chose the hard lock option decreased their average coin-in, loss per visit, and minutes played per visit. In contrast, soft lock enrollees significantly reduced their coin in (but not to the same extent as those who chose the hard lock option) and increased their visits from pre-enrollment to post-enrollment. The play data for hard and soft lock enrollees was also benchmarked against play of non-enrollees. Results suggest that the soft lock option is relatively ineffective at limiting play, thus adding important knowledge to the ongoing debate about pre-commitment schemes that aim to advance responsible gambling to minimize gambling-related harms.