Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming

Andi’s research interests are the scientific study of gambling behaviour and problem gambling, aiming to understand factors that may lead to gambling problems and contribute to effective prevention and treatment interventions.

Cristina has published different research papers mainly in the domain of perception, attention, consciousness, linguistics or emotion within the framework of cognitive neuroscience. Over the years, the main objective of her research has been to study the neural correlates underlying different behaviours through the use of electroencephalography (EEG) techniques among other research methods. Currently, Cristina is interested in examining the neurophysiological markers underlying gambling disorder.

Harshdeep’s research focuses on studying video game-related gambling and the policy developments surrounding the regulation of gambling-like elements in video games. He is involved in multiple projects at the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming (CERG), including research on sports betting and interventions for minimising gambling-related harm. Harsh pays particular attention to underage gambling and aims to assist in protecting minors from potential gambling-related exposure and harms throughout his research career.

Judith’s research focuses on public policy, regulation, and compliance, with the aim of understanding the evolving legal landscape in Gibraltar amid international shifts towards stricter regulation, enforcement, and penalties. Particular attention is given to the gambling sector, a vital part of the local economy, which has come under increased scrutiny following the June 2022 decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to place Gibraltar under enhanced monitoring for anti-money laundering compliance, especially in relation to gambling.

Orsolya’s research interests focus on the psychology of video games, gaming disorder, gaming motives, convergence of gaming and gambling, problematic internet use, problematic social media use.

Mogu is particularly interested in maladaptive cognitions that contribute to the development of behavioural addictions (e.g. Gambling Disorder, Internet Gaming Disorder, etc.), and the moderating effects of cognitive-behavioural skills as protective factors against such addictions. Besides, in order to facilitate Chinese addiction research, Mogu also works on developing and validating related measurement tools.

Zsolt’s research focuses on the epidemiology, assessment, and psychological and familial correlates of substance use behaviour and various non-substance-related potentially problematic behaviours, including internet use, video game playing, gambling, social media use, compulsive sexual behaviour disorder, pornography addiction, work addiction, compulsive buying-shopping behaviour, and exercise addiction.

Zsolt’s research focuses primarily on the psychopathological and epidemiological aspects of problematic psychoactive substance use and behavioural addictions. In addition, his research topics include up-to-date psychometric analysis of questionnaires used in the field of psychology. Zsolt is also a lecturer at the Psychology Institute of ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.

Ahtsham’s research focuses on the effects of problem gambling, particularly on concerned significant others (CSOs). It aims to investigate the specific harms experienced by CSOs and their coping strategies in dealing with the repercussions of problem gambling. Additionally, Ahtsham seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of support services for CSOs and their role in enhancing the residential treatment outcomes for individuals with gambling disorders. Through a longitudinal research design, the study seeks to compare two groups: problem gamblers and their CSOs who do or do not participate in support services.

Julia’s research focuses on exploring adolescent vulnerabilities to risk behaviours from a neurocognitive perspective. She has also been involved in CERG projects related to gambling employee welfare and behaviours as well as adolescent vaping. Prior to this her MSc thesis explored the risk of autism spectrum disorder in adults born very preterm.

Keith’s research focuses on addressing problem gambling through a strategic macro-level perspective while emphasising micro-level policy development for self-exclusion programmes. The project aims to investigate the evolution and current status of self-exclusion initiatives, which empower individuals with gambling problems to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities. Furthermore, the goal is to develop consensus guidelines that can enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of self-exclusion programmes nationwide. This work aims to contribute to a better understanding of how policy frameworks can support individuals struggling with gambling issues and foster healthier gambling environments.

Larry’s research focuses on the global and culture-specific risk and protective factors associated with problem gambling, with a particular emphasis on Nigeria. His work aims to expand the gambling literature beyond WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) contexts by exploring local determinants of gambling severity. The research supports the development of culturally relevant prevention and intervention strategies to improve mental health and public health outcomes. Through comparative analysis between developed and developing societies, Larry’s work contributes to evidence-based policy and advocates for comprehensive treatment models that address both global and country-specific aspects of problem gambling.

Luca’s research examines the battle pass as a gamification tool, evaluating its potential for enhancing user experience while addressing its problematic aspects. Focusing on its persuasive design, the study explores how progression-reward systems may resemble dark patterns and influence player behaviour. Luca also investigates the convergence of video game monetisation and gambling, particularly through mechanisms like loot boxes and battle passes. The research aims to improve understanding of ethical concerns in game design and support the development of regulatory frameworks that promote responsible gaming practices, balancing user engagement with the need to mitigate harmful behaviours associated with monetised gameplay.

Pedro’s research focuses on the exploration of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a novel treatment for problematic gambling (PG) and gambling disorder (GD). Specifically, it investigates the effectiveness of psilocybin therapy when integrated with psychological support, aiming to address the high rates of relapse and dropout associated with traditional gambling disorder treatments. The research also examines the interplay between gambling disorder and common comorbid mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Overall, this research aims to contribute meaningful insights into alternative treatment pathways for gambling disorders.

Pietro’s research focuses on the potential link between micro-transactions, specifically loot boxes, and gambling addiction. Recent studies indicate that loot boxes trigger gambling-like behaviour, especially among minors aged 11 to 25, who are particularly susceptible to addictive tendencies. Research shows that the “near miss” phenomenon in gaming creates feelings similar to those experienced by gamblers. To explore this connection further, Pietro will use EEG imaging is used to examine brain activity during loot box purchases and compare it to that of gamblers. This work aims to deepen the understanding of the psychological impacts of loot boxes and inform addiction prevention.

Sonia’s research focuses on understanding the shift from consumer freedom to more paternalistic approaches and the implications of these changes on market integrity, accessibility, and consumer trust. Specifically, the research aims to analyse the effectiveness of various gambling regulatory approaches across different jurisdictions, leveraging insights from platforms like the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF). Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the alignment of responsible gambling frameworks with empirical research findings, identify gaps in regulatory evaluation programs, and anticipate future regulatory trends in the industry.

Yanisha’s research focuses on the social perception of gamblers, gambling-related stigma, and the internalised negative beliefs such as shame, anxiety, and guilt that accompany gambling. Despite its importance, research in this area is scarce, although studies indicate that these factors significantly impact mental health and treatment-seeking for other addictive disorders, creating barriers to addressing related problems. Yanisha’s research employs a multidisciplinary approach to understand perceptions of gambling and problem gambling while exploring the connection between stigma and gambling-related harm.

Ronald’s research focuses on understanding the association between cognitive function and behavioural disorders. He uses neuropsychological paradigms to study to assess cognitive performance in problem gambling. Ronald is currently involved in working memory and statistical learning projects among other interdisciplinary projects.