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Paul Delfabbro University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide, Australia

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Daniel L. King College of Education, Psychology, & Social Work, Flinders University, Australia

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Abstract

Background and aims

Loyalty programs are implemented widely by gambling operators to provide customers with additional prizes and benefits for consistent patronage. The aim of this paper was to examine whether loyalty programs were more commonly reported by higher risk gamblers in large population studies conducted in Australia.

Method

This paper examines the prevalence of loyalty program use and the association with problem gambling in Australia using data from seven out of 13 public gambling prevalence surveys conducted over the last decade.

Results

Evidence drawn from six of these seven studies showed consistent positive association between loyalty card use and higher risk gambling in venue-based gamblers. At least 40% of problem gamblers reported loyalty card use compared with only around 10% of gamblers in general.

Discussion

These observations suggest that there is a need to conduct more focused investigations on the utilisation of loyalty programs by higher risk gamblers.

Conclusions

It will be important to examine whether loyalty programs encourage or extend gambling sessions, but also how they can be used to facilitate responsible gambling initiatives and inform further behavioural research.

Abstract

Background and aims

Loyalty programs are implemented widely by gambling operators to provide customers with additional prizes and benefits for consistent patronage. The aim of this paper was to examine whether loyalty programs were more commonly reported by higher risk gamblers in large population studies conducted in Australia.

Method

This paper examines the prevalence of loyalty program use and the association with problem gambling in Australia using data from seven out of 13 public gambling prevalence surveys conducted over the last decade.

Results

Evidence drawn from six of these seven studies showed consistent positive association between loyalty card use and higher risk gambling in venue-based gamblers. At least 40% of problem gamblers reported loyalty card use compared with only around 10% of gamblers in general.

Discussion

These observations suggest that there is a need to conduct more focused investigations on the utilisation of loyalty programs by higher risk gamblers.

Conclusions

It will be important to examine whether loyalty programs encourage or extend gambling sessions, but also how they can be used to facilitate responsible gambling initiatives and inform further behavioural research.

Introduction

Loyalty programs are a common feature of gambling operations around the world (Wohl, 2018). Often accompanied by a membership card and number, these programs enable gamblers to obtain additional rewards or credits for gambling at a particular venue or on particular products (Prentice & Wong, 2015; Responsible Gambling Council, 2013). Many of these programs operate on a tiered system whereby the level of membership is determined by the level of play. Such systems operate commonly in casinos and offer: higher tier patrons additional benefits not available to other patrons; access to more exclusive offers; better quality amenities; greater staff attention; and, superior food and beverage services (Min, Raab, & Tanford, 2016; Shi, & Prentice, & He, 2014; Sui & Baloglu, 2003). The principal aim of these programs is to attract and maintain high value customers and establish trust and loyalty so that these people return to the same venue (Baloglu, Zhong, & Tanford, 2017; Lucas & Bowen, 2002; Lucas, Dunn, & Singh, 2005; Palmer & Mahoney, 2005).

Loyalty programs commonly operate on a points-for-play system whereby gamblers obtain access to higher tiers and prizes by spending more time and money. Within such systems, the dollar for value assignment is often referred to as the ‘step size’ (e.g. $10 for 1 point) and the time to reward as the reward distance (Min et al., 2016; Van Dyke, Jenner & Maddern, 2016) although different point values may apply to different games and varying methods of benefit accrual can be used in these programs. Players learn about their progress from kiosks, customer service desks, or in venue communications. Such systems provide players with an incentive to spend more to get more points (which may provide access to in-venue prizes or greater privileges), but also to continue if they are close to the next tier level. However, not all prizes have to be based on increments. Venues may also award prizes for patrons who are gambling at particular times (e.g. on a particular machine machine), who obtain a particular outcome (e.g. in a ‘poker machine tournament’) or earn more points, or who have a birthday. The capacity to administer such programs arises from players inserting their cards into gaming machines which allows venues to identify and even track the expenditure of individual patrons (Van Dyke et al., 2016).

The fact that loyalty programs potentially encourage higher spending and longer and more frequent visits to venues has raised the question as to whether they: (a) contribute to greater gambling intensity; (b) are more appealing to higher risk gamblers; (c) contribute to gambling harm. As both Wohl (2018) and The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) (2013) point out, the evidence in support of these questions is remarkably sparse. Prentice and Wong (2015) examined the predictors of problem gambling in 312 people surveyed in Macau and found that problem gamblers were more likely to report being loyal to a casino, based on a series of self-report questions, but found that this relationship did not hold once gambling frequency had been controlled for in a regression model. Wardle (2016) in the UK as well as Min et al. (2016) in the US found evidence for increased expenditure amongst loyalty card members. This was also observed in a study involving a convenience sample of 1,463 Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) gamblers in Australia tracked over 18 months (Van Dyke et al., 2016). This study showed that loyalty card use was associated with gambling 1.37 times more frequently and 1.23 times longer. Loyalty card users were 2.28 times more likely to be moderate risk or problem gamblers on the PGSI and 1.33 times more likely to report incidents of binge gambling.

The present analysis

There are currently very little data available to researchers and policy-makers on the general prevalence of loyalty program use and its potential link with higher risk gambling in the general population. This topic is important for two principal reasons. The first is because there are regulatory concerns about whether loyalty program incentives might encourage greater gambling expenditure. The second is that loyalty programs can potentially be used as a vehicle for implementing responsible gambling features (e.g. messaging or limit setting). A third area of interest arises from the fact that loyalty programs could be used as a source of research data relating to individual gamblers that can provide insights into important aspects of gambling behaviour to help inform harm minimisation strategies (e.g. Wardle, 2016). In this paper, we provide a summary of the evidence base drawn from major prevalence studies in Australia relating to the prevalence of loyalty program use in the gambling population and potential associations with higher risk gambling.

Data sources

An audit was conducted of all Australian prevalence studies conducted in the last 10 years (2011–2020). Seven of these 13 surveys included questions relating to loyalty card use (Table 1). Each of the surveys was conducted using a telephone survey methodology, probability-based sampling and utilised a dual-frame methodology (land-lines and mobile/cell-phone numbers were called). Each survey used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) (Ferris & Wynne, 2001) as the principal problem gambling screening measure. All PGSI comparisons were based on the standard classifications, where scores of 8+ in the surveys were used to indicate problem gamblers; scores of 3–7, moderate gamblers; 1–2, low risk gamblers; and, scores of 0, non-problem gamblers. In six of the seven studies, respondents who reported visiting gambling venues were asked whether they were members of a loyalty program or held a loyalty card. In Victoria (2014), the question was only asked of EGM gamblers (binary coding, participated or did not participate) and referred specifically to the Crown Rewards program so that this figure cannot be readily compared with the others. In Tasmania (2011), respondents were asked if they used a loyalty card ‘most of the time’ or ‘always’ when they gambled, so that these questions also cannot be so easily compared with the others. Full data for the South Australian (2018) survey was available to the researchers to allow additional analyses. Australian studies were chosen as the focus of the paper because this made it possible to consolidate results from a concentrated period of studies that used similar methodologies in jurisdictions with similar regulatory regimes and gambling markets.

Table 1.

Summary of major Australian prevalence surveys: 2011–2020: sample details and participation rates

StateYearN% Problem gambling
NSW201910,0121.0
QLD201215,0000.5
QLD201715,0000.5
SA20129,5080.6
SA201820,0170.7
TAS20114,3030.7
VIC201413,5540.8

Results

A summary of the four surveys that with similar and comparable data is displayed in Table 2. The results indicate some variability, but it appears that approximately 10% of non-problem gamblers; around 20% low risk gamblers, 33% of moderate risk gamblers and over 40% of problem gamblers, report belonging to a loyalty card program. Across all surveys there is a clear upward trend, with higher risk gamblers more likely to report having a loyalty card. A series of pairwise comparisons conducted using proportion difference tests showed (using the weighted averages) that the percentage of gamblers reporting loyalty card use was highest for problem gamblers with different differences observed between all other groups: Problem gamblers > Moderate risk > Low risk > Non-problem gamblers.

Table 2.

Prevalence of loyalty card use by PGSI status

NNon-problem %Low risk %Moderate risk %Problem %
SA (2011)5,1899172541
NSW (2019)1,0747162228
QLD (2012)11,10010243039
QLD (2017)10,62012264259
Mw10.523.233.346.5

Note: SA (2011) asked venue gamblers; NSW asked EGM gamblers; QLD asked all gamblers.

In Victoria in 2014, it was found that 45% of EGM gamblers reported having a Crown Casino Loyalty Rewards card: 40% of non-problem gamblers; 53% of low risk gamblers; 46% of moderate-risk gamblers; and, 61% of problem gamblers. In South Australia in 2012, it was found that 11% of all gamblers reported using a loyalty card, but that 28.1% of moderate risk and problem gamblers used one (once again a significantly higher level of usage than for other gamblers) as based on a proportion difference test (P < 0.001). Finally, in Tasmania in 2011, there was no difference between the PGSI risk groups in the percentage reporting using a loyalty card ‘most of the time’ or ‘always’ when they played (11%). This figure is, of course, not the same as the other figures which principally related to the general use of programs rather than how often they used them.

Loyalty card membership as a predictor of PGSI after controlling for other variables

Given the availability of data in South Australia in 2011, it was possible to examine whether engagement in loyalty programs (1 = Yes, 2 = No) was associated with problem gambling after controlling for potential confounding factors; namely, gender (1= Male, 2 = Female) and the frequency of EGM gambling (0 = No, 1= Yes). Gender was included because males tend to report greater gambling involvement in almost all Australian studies (see Hing, Russell, Tolchard, & Nower, 2016). Problem gambling was set as the dependent measure (0 = Not problem, 1 = Problem). The model correctly classified 97% of cases. Table 3 summarises the results. It was found that loyalty card users were (1/0.359 = 2.79 times) more likely to be problem gamblers even after controlling for gambling frequency and gender.

Table 3.

Logistic regression: loyalty card use as a predictor of problem gambling

BWardOdds-ratio95% conf Int
Monthly EGMs2.32116.51∗∗10.186.68–15.51
Gender−0.5417.61∗∗0.5820.40–0.86
Loyalty card use−1.02327.52∗∗0.3590.25–0.53
Constant−2.315

∗∗P < 0.01.

Discussion

Overall, the results suggest that loyalty card or program use increases with the level of gambling risk. Around 15% of all gamblers in the general population report using loyalty programs, but this figure is much higher when the denominator is restricted to just venue-based or EGM gamblers. Our estimates suggest that over 40% of problem gamblers in Australia are loyalty card users and this percentage gradually decreases as one progresses down the PGSI classifications. These findings are generally convergent with the findings for Van Dyke et al. (2016) in Australia as well as Wardle (2016) in the UK who found associations between loyalty card use and more frequent gambling, longer sessions and higher expenditure. However, as Prentice and Wong (2015) and Van Dyke et al. (2016) point out, it is not clear whether loyalty program membership is necessarily causally related to problem gambling. Regular gamblers may sign up to loyalty programs just because they are available (‘nothing to lose’) and because these may yield occasional benefits. In support of this view, the studies show that people who own loyalty cards rarely use them at all, or very infrequently (only 11% in Tasmania reported frequent use). Those who score higher on the PGSI are also usually frequent or regular gamblers so that, as Prentice and Wong (2015) showed, it may be that the association between loyalty program and problem gambling is confounded with gambling frequency in some surveys. Nevertheless, using data from one State, we were able to show that the relationship still holds even after controlling for gambling frequency.

Confirmation of an association between problem gambling and loyalty card use is important for several reasons. First, as Van Dyke et al. (2016) and Wohl (2018) have pointed out, it may be important to consider the possibility that loyalty programs could contribute to gambling harm. Although qualitative evidence from Van Dyke et al.’s (2016) study suggested that problem gamblers did not raise concerns (perhaps due to socially desirable responding), the data still suggested that loyalty cards encourage people to gamble more frequently and intensively. It may also be that loyalty programs are an exacerbating factor, not necessarily when some people are actively gambling anyway, but when they make the decision to stop gambling. That is, when considering abstinence or controlled gambling, many problem gamblers may continue to receive marketing; will be confronted with the sunk-cost of ceasing to gamble after having achieved a higher membership tier (or be close to the next one); and, may miss out on the benefits that the loyalty program provides (e.g. extra prizes or feeling important in the venue).

The knowledge that problem gamblers are more likely to be engaged in loyalty programs may also be useful from a responsible gambling or harm minimisation perspective. As Wohl (2018) points out, loyalty programs can provide a vehicle for targeted messaging, reminders, pre-commitment or budget setting systems (e.g. Auer, Hopfgartner, & Griffiths, 2018, 2019; Schottler Consulting, 2010; Thomas et al., 2016). They also provide a potential vehicle through which to capture important data about the nature of gambling (e.g. Gainsbury, 2011; Livingstone, Woolley, Zazryn, Bakacs, & Shami, 2008; Wardle, 2016), including gambling patterns (e.g. predictive algorithms). Loyalty program data may also capture the relative popularity of certain machines and how people respond to responsible gambling features (Livingstone et al., 2008; Parke, Parke, & Blaszczynski, 2016). In Australia, the data would appear to indicate some capacity for at least 40% of problem gamblers to be engaged with features of this nature, but it is acknowledged that this engagement would principally be confined to EGM gamblers who choose to use their loyalty cards (what casinos often refer to as carded-play). Insights into the potential ways in which loyalty programs might be applied in harm minimisation contexts are evident in a small, but growing, literature (see Gainsbury, 2011; Philander, 2013; Wohl, 2018 for useful reviews). For example, Wohl, Davis and Hollingshead (2017) showed how providing personalised feedback to loyalty program holders appeared to reduce subsequent expenditure. Similarly, Wood and Wohl (2015), in an evaluation of the Svenska Spel's responsible gambling tool Playscan, showed that higher risk gamblers reduced expenditure and deposit amounts if they used the tool.

Methodological considerations and conclusions

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of this paper. The paper focused on only a single jurisdiction (Australia) and is based on self-report data so that there may be recall biases. There were also data limitations: in that most studies did not capture the nature and type of loyalty program used (e.g. casino vs. other venue) and how often these were used. Nevertheless, the studies examined appear to provide consistent evidence that loyalty programs are significantly associated with problem gambling and are associated with increased gambling involvement. The results indicate that there is considerable scope for more detailed analysis of the potential risks and benefits of loyalty programs. On one hand, there should be a particular focus on the ways in which loyalty programs are used by higher risk gamblers, their responses to incentives, and whether exposure to special offers trigger new gambling sessions or extends existing ones. On the other, further exploration of the potential role of loyalty programs and the associated data should be pursued as part of responsible gambling initiatives and in collaborative work involving researchers, regulators and industry groups (Gainsbury, 2011; Wohl, 2018).

Funding sources

This paper was funded independently with no support from government, industry or party external to the University.

Authors' contribution

First draft of paper (PD); Revisions (DK).

Conflict of interest

None to declare.

References

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  • Auer, M., Hopfgartner, N., & Griffiths, M.D. (2018). The effect of loss-limit reminders on gambling behaviour: A real-world study of Norwegian gamblers. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(4), 10561067.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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    • Search Google Scholar
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    • Search Google Scholar
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    • Export Citation
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    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wardle, H. (2016). People who play machines in bookmakers: Secondary analysis of loyalty card survey data. London: Responsible Gambling Trust.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wohl, M. J. A. (2018). Loyalty programmes in the gambling industry: Potentials for harm and possibilities for harm-minimization. International Gambling Studies, 18, 495511.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wohl, M. J. A., Davis, C. G., & Hollingshead, S. J. (2017). How much have you won or lost? Personalized behavioural feedback about gambling expenditures regulates play. Computers in Human Behavior, 70, 437445.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Woods, K., Sproston, K., Brook, K., Delfabbro, P., & O’Neil, M. (2018). Gambling prevalence in South Australia. Adelaide: Department of Human Services.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wood, R. T. A., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2015). Evaluating the effectiveness of a responsible gambling behavioral feedback tool for reducing the expenditure of at-risk players. International Gambling Studies, 15, 324339.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • ACIL Allen Consulting (2011). Second social and economic impact study of gambling in Tasmania. Hobart: Tasmanian Government Department of Treasury and Finance.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Auer, M., Hopfgartner, N., & Griffiths, M.D. (2018). The effect of loss-limit reminders on gambling behaviour: A real-world study of Norwegian gamblers. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7(4), 10561067.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Auer, M., Hopfgartner, N., & Griffiths, M. D. (2019). An empirical study of the effect of voluntary limit-setting on gamblers’ loyalty using behavioural tracking data. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 17, 112.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Baloglu, S., Zhong, Y.Y., & Tanford, S. (2017). Casino loyalty: The influence of loyalty program switching costs and trust. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 41, 846868.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Browne, M., Rockloff, M., Hing, N., Russell, A., Murray-Boyle, C., & Rawat, V. (2019). NSW gambling survey, 2019. Sydney: NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (2012). Gambling prevalence in South Australia. Adelaide: DCSI.

  • Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian problem gambling Index final report. Phase II final report to the Canadian Interprovincial Task Force on Problem Gambling. Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gainsbury, S. (2011). Player account-based gambling: Potentials for behaviour-based research methodologies. International Gambling Studies, 11, 153171.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hing, N., Russell, A., Tolchard, B., & Nower, L. (2016). Risk factors for problem gambling: An analysis by gender. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32, 511534.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Livingstone, C., Woolley, R., Zazryn, T., Bakacs, L., & Shami, R. (2008). The relevance and role of gaming machine games and game features on the play of problem gamblers. Adelaide: Independent Gambling Authority.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lucas, A.F., & Bowen, J.T. (2002). Measuring the effectiveness of casino promotions. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 21, 189202.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lucas, A., Dunn, W., & Singh, A. (2005). Estimating the short term effect of free-play offers in Las Vegas hotel casino. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 18, 5368.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Min, J.H., Raab, C., & Tanford, S. (2016). Improving casino performance through enhanced loyalty programs. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 25, 6188.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Palmer, R., & Mahoney, E. (2005). Winners and losers: Segmenting a casino loyalty programme. International Gambling Studies, 5, 271287.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Parke, J., Parke, A., & Blaszczynski, A. (2016). Key issues in produced-based harm minimisation. London: The Responsible Gambling Trust.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Philander, K. (2013). Identifying high-risk online gamblers: A comparison of data mining procedures. International Gambling Studies, 14, 5363.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Prentice, C., & Wong, I. A. (2015). Casino marketing, problem gamblers or loyal customers?. Journal of Business Research, 68, 20842092.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Responsible Gambling Council (2013). Insight: Responsible gambling best practices for player incentives: Land-based venues. Toronto: RGC.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Schottler Consulting (2010). Major findings and implications: Player tracking and precommitment trial. Adelaide: S.A. Treasury.

  • Schottler Consulting (2015). Study of gambling and health in Victoria. Findings from the Victorian prevalence study 2014 .Melbourne: VRGF.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shi, Y., & Prentice, C., & He, W. (2014). Linking service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in casinos: Does membership matter?. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 40, 8191.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sui, J., & Baloglu, S. (2003). The role of emotional commitment in relationship marketing: An empirical investigation of a loyalty model for casinos. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 27, 470489.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Thomas, A., Christensen, D., Deblaquiere, J., Armstrong, A., Moore, S., Carson, R., et al. (2016). Review of electronic gaming machine pre-commitment features: Limit setting. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Van Dyke, N., Jenner, D., & Maddern, C. (2016). The role of loyalty programs in gambling: Final report of findings from audit of electronic gaming machine venues, literature review, online discussion boards and longitudinal telephone survey. Melbourne, Gambling Research Australia.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wardle, H. (2016). People who play machines in bookmakers: Secondary analysis of loyalty card survey data. London: Responsible Gambling Trust.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wohl, M. J. A. (2018). Loyalty programmes in the gambling industry: Potentials for harm and possibilities for harm-minimization. International Gambling Studies, 18, 495511.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wohl, M. J. A., Davis, C. G., & Hollingshead, S. J. (2017). How much have you won or lost? Personalized behavioural feedback about gambling expenditures regulates play. Computers in Human Behavior, 70, 437445.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Woods, K., Sproston, K., Brook, K., Delfabbro, P., & O’Neil, M. (2018). Gambling prevalence in South Australia. Adelaide: Department of Human Services.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wood, R. T. A., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2015). Evaluating the effectiveness of a responsible gambling behavioral feedback tool for reducing the expenditure of at-risk players. International Gambling Studies, 15, 324339.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
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Dr. Zsolt Demetrovics
Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University
Address: Izabella u. 46. H-1064 Budapest, Hungary
Phone: +36-1-461-2681
E-mail: jba@ppk.elte.hu

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Journal of Behavioral Addictions
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ISSN 2063-5303 (Online)

Senior editors

Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zsolt DEMETROVICS

Assistant Editor(s): 

Csilla ÁGOSTON

Dana KATZ

Associate Editors

  • Stephanie ANTONS (Universitat Duisburg-Essen, Germany)
  • Joel BILLIEUX (University of Lausanne, Switzerland)
  • Beáta BŐTHE (University of Montreal, Canada)
  • Matthias BRAND (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany)
  • Daniel KING (Flinders University, Australia)
  • Gyöngyi KÖKÖNYEI (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Ludwig KRAUS (IFT Institute for Therapy Research, Germany)
  • Marc N. POTENZA (Yale University, USA)
  • Hans-Jurgen RUMPF (University of Lübeck, Germany)
  • Ruth J. VAN HOLST (Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands)

Editorial Board

  • Sophia ACHAB (Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland)
  • Alex BALDACCHINO (St Andrews University, United Kingdom)
  • Judit BALÁZS (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Maria BELLRINGER (Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand)
  • Henrietta BOWDEN-JONES (Imperial College, United Kingdom)
  • Damien BREVERS (University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg)
  • Julius BURKAUSKAS (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania)
  • Gerhard BÜHRINGER (Technische Universität Dresden, Germany)
  • Silvia CASALE (University of Florence, Florence, Italy)
  • Luke CLARK (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada)
  • Jeffrey L. DEREVENSKY (McGill University, Canada)
  • Geert DOM (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
  • Nicki DOWLING (Deakin University, Geelong, Australia)
  • Hamed EKHTIARI (University of Minnesota, United States)
  • Jon ELHAI (University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA)
  • Ana ESTEVEZ (University of Deusto, Spain)
  • Fernando FERNANDEZ-ARANDA (Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain)
  • Naomi FINEBERG (University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom)
  • Sally GAINSBURY (The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia)
  • Belle GAVRIEL-FRIED (The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Israel)
  • Biljana GJONESKA (Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Republic of North Macedonia)
  • Marie GRALL-BRONNEC (University Hospital of Nantes, France)
  • Jon E. GRANT (University of Minnesota, USA)
  • Mark GRIFFITHS (Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom)
  • Joshua GRUBBS (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA)
  • Anneke GOUDRIAAN (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Susumu HIGUCHI (National Hospital Organization Kurihama Medical and Addiction Center, Japan)
  • David HODGINS (University of Calgary, Canada)
  • Eric HOLLANDER (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA)
  • Zsolt HORVÁTH (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Susana JIMÉNEZ-MURCIA (Clinical Psychology Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain)
  • Yasser KHAZAAL (Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland)
  • Orsolya KIRÁLY (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Chih-Hung KO (Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan)
  • Shane KRAUS (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA)
  • Hae Kook LEE (The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea)
  • Bernadette KUN (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Katerina LUKAVSKA (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic)
  • Giovanni MARTINOTTI (‘Gabriele d’Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy)
  • Gemma MESTRE-BACH (Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, La Rioja, Spain)
  • Astrid MÜLLER (Hannover Medical School, Germany)
  • Daniel Thor OLASON (University of Iceland, Iceland)
  • Ståle PALLESEN (University of Bergen, Norway)
  • Afarin RAHIMI-MOVAGHAR (Teheran University of Medical Sciences, Iran)
  • József RÁCZ (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary)
  • Michael SCHAUB (University of Zurich, Switzerland)
  • Marcantanio M. SPADA (London South Bank University, United Kingdom)
  • Daniel SPRITZER (Study Group on Technological Addictions, Brazil)
  • Dan J. STEIN (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
  • Sherry H. STEWART (Dalhousie University, Canada)
  • Attila SZABÓ (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)
  • Hermano TAVARES (Instituto de Psiquiatria do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Wim VAN DEN BRINK (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
  • Alexander E. VOISKOUNSKY (Moscow State University, Russia)
  • Aviv M. WEINSTEIN (Ariel University, Israel)
  • Anise WU (University of Macau, Macao, China)
  • Ágnes ZSILA (ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary)

 

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