The IRGO-Spelinstitutet problem gambler online self-diagnotic software developed in Sweden is now being offered by the Norwegian state gambling monopoly Norsk Tipping.
The new tool is designed to help gamblers determine whether they are at risk of developing an unhealthy addiction and is the subject of extensive Nordic trialling through Finland’s Veikkaus, Svenska Spel, RAY, INL and Danske Spil.
The concept of presenting gamblers with a series of questions that will indicate whether there is a potential problem developing is not a new one, but the IRGO product has considerable depth and is based on Motivational interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) precepts. Developed since 2004 by the Spelinstitutet and Malmö Mediastudio, with a re-design in 2006, the project was supported by the National Institute for Public Health in Sweden.
Spelinstitutet specialises in problem gambling research and education.
Once the player has voluntarily answered a series of questions, a communication platform provides feedback to the player based on his or her answers. The software includes an interface that makes it easy to deliver figures and facts to the operators who use the self test.