Gambling Research
At SG Global, we believe that the most effective safer gambling and harm-prevention approaches are built on collaboration, and shaped by the combination of lived experience and robust academic research. Understanding real-world experiences of gambling harm, alongside evidence-based insight, allows safer gambling training to be human, credible, and genuinely impactful.
We therefore actively support academic research that advances gambling harms awareness while promoting positive play as a foundation for safer and more sustainable gambling environments.
At SG Global we recognise and recommend the work of GAMRES (Gambling Research) and the research leadership of Professor Richard Wood, Dr Michael Wohl, and Dr Nassim Tabri, who developed the internationally recognised Positive Play Scale. Their research highlights the importance of positive play in both preventing gambling-related harm and supporting long-term business sustainability. The Positive Play framework focuses on four key pillars: gambling literacy, personal responsibility, honesty and control, and pre-commitment — encouraging players to understand risk, make informed decisions, and set clear limits around time and spend.
Positive Play Scale
1.
Gambling Literacy
Gambling literacy refers to a player’s understanding of how gambling works, including how to play, with knowledge of RTP.
A positive player recognises that gambling outcomes are random, that the odds are designed in the operator’s favour, and that gambling should be viewed as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
Strong gambling literacy is associated with fewer misconceptions, such as believing skill, luck, or past losses can influence future outcomes.
2.
Personal Responsibility
Personal responsibility refers to a player’s role in making informed decisions about their gambling.
Positive play reflects an understanding of the importance of keeping gambling within affordable time and money limits, supported by clear information, protective tools, and responsible operator practices.
This perspective does not place blame on individuals for harm but highlights the need for personal decision-making to be supported by effective safeguards and ethical design.
3.
Honesty and Control
Honesty and control describe a player’s ability to remain in control of their gambling and to be open about it with themselves and others.
Positive players do not hide their gambling behaviour, feel able to stop when they choose, and do not gamble as a way to escape problems or negative emotions.
Feeling in control is a core indicator of healthy and sustainable gambling behaviour.
4.
Pre-commitment
Pre-commitment involves setting limits on gambling time and/or money before play begins and generally adhering to those limits.
Positive players often plan their gambling in advance, treat limits as protective tools rather than restrictions, and use them to keep gambling enjoyable and within affordable boundaries.
Pre-commitment is one of the strongest behavioural markers of positive play.
By aligning lived experience with research-led frameworks such as Positive Play, SG Global supports gambling operators in embedding proactive, ethical practices that protect players, strengthen trust, and contribute to safer, more sustainable gambling businesses.
To find out more about the work of GAMRES check out their Positive Play Academy below: