Professionals’ Perspectives On the Role of Advanced Technologies in Responsible Gambling

Problematic gambling is associated with substantial individual and societal harms, which may be intensified by the accessibility, anonymity, and captivating design of online gambling products. In this domain, advanced technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence and data analytics) are increasingly recommended for prevention, early detection, and harm reduction. This study aimed to examine the current and potential uses of advanced technologies in gambling. Forty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with social/legal science (n = 24) and technology (n = 21) experts. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, beginning with a deductive approach followed by an inductive analysis. A total of 182 codes were identified from social/legal science professionals, and 228 from technology experts. Four overarching themes were identified: (i) characterisation of contemporary gambling; (ii) applications and implications of advanced technologies; (iii) regulatory frameworks and challenges; and (iv) recommendations and solutions. Profit-driven design practices, heightened vulnerabilities in online gambling environments, regulatory gaps, and concerns regarding algorithmic opacity and data use were highlighted. Advanced technologies were viewed as having a dual role, with potential both to exacerbate gambling-related harm and to enable earlier identification of risky behaviours and targeted interventions. Findings indicate that responsible gambling cannot rely solely on technological solutions (e.g., behavioural monitoring and limit-setting) and should be instead integrated with community-level strategies, public education, and robust regulatory oversight. Leveraging technological innovation alongside user protection is essential, requiring interdisciplinary collaboration, a public health-oriented approach, and transparent, evidence-based and ethically governed frameworks. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.