2025/2026
Major Grants
Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Gambling and... (#106)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. Carrie Shaw (Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology
University of Alberta
Google Scholar Profile | ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1949-0084
Dr. Catherine Laskowski (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology
King's University
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1099-9164
Description
The AAGPG project (ADHD, ASD, Gambling and Problem Gambling project) is a longitudinal study intended to examine the quasi-causal predictive relationship between both ADHD and ASD and subsequent land-based and online gambling and problem gambling. A large, stratified sample of approximately 2500 survey participants will be assessed and re-assessed on measures including gambling engagement; problem gambling; gambling harms; social demographic characteristics; psychological functioning; substance use and other behavioural addictions, and ADHD and ASD. The assessment periods, set for after Alberta is scheduled to expand legal availability of online gambling, will allow for the longitudinal examination of the trajectory of land-based and online gambling engagement, while also establishing the explanatory power of these disorders relative to known individual psychosocial differences including impulsivity.
Timeframe: January 5, 2026 to June 30, 2027
An Assessment of the Self-Regulation Strategies Used by Sports Gamblers in Canada (#107)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. Daniel McGrath (Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
Google Scholar Profile | ORCid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2772-942X
Dr. Hyoun S. (Andrew) Kim (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology
Toronto Metropolitan University
Google Scholar Profile
Description
Self-regulation strategies have been identified as a critical component for curbing gambling harms, yet the extent to which these strategies are used by people who engage in in-play sports betting is not well understood. Through a national survey of Canadians who gamble on sports (N = 3,000), the proposed study aims to construct a demographic and psychological profile of sports bettors who use self-regulation strategies, the types of self-regulation strategies used, and the relationship between self-regulation strategies and problem gambling. Furthermore, a follow-up survey conducted 6 months later will help to identify predictors of adherence to self-regulation strategies.
Timeframe: January 9, 2026 to December 31, 2027
Identifiable Victims of Gambling: Using Lived Experiences to Develop Safer Gambling Messages (#108)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. Hyoun S. (Andrew) Kim (Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology
Toronto Metropolitan University
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Leonardo Weiss-Cohen (Co-Investigator)
School of Psychology
Nottingham University
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Philip Newall (Co-Principal Investigator)
School of Psychological Science
University of Bristol
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Daniel McGrath (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary
Google Scholar Profile | ORCid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2772-942X
Dr. Jamie Torrance (Co-Investigator)
School of Psychology
Swansea University
Google Scholar Profile
Description
Industry-designed responsible (“safer”) gambling messages such as “gamble responsibly” are increasingly being replaced by independently-designed messages, such as the seven messages currently used in Australia (e.g., "Chances are you’re about to lose"; "You win some. You lose more"). However, the optimal deployment of messaging must reflect the fact that different messages may resonate more (or less) with different people, and that any one message may lose its effect as it is repeated. By co-designing and testing messages based on people’s lived experiences of gambling harms, the present work intends to solve both issues, as these messages can reflect the variable nature of gambling harms, and can be continually co-created.
Timeframe: January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027
The Clockwork Casino: Neural Signatures of Reinforcement Schedules in Slot Machine Play (#109)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. Chelsea Ekstrand (Principal Investigator)
Department of Neuroscience
University of Lethbridge
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. David R. Euston (Co-Principal Investigator)
Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge
Google Scholar Profile
Description
This research aims to examine how uncertainty in the timing affects the subjective value of gambling in human participants, from both behavioral and neural perspectives. Using a simulated slot machine, we will manipulate uncertainty about when reward will be received and use functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify brain regions associated with reinforcement schedules. Our novel approach will provide valuable insight into the features of gambling that contribute to its allure, potentially informing interventions and public policy on problem gambling.
Timeframe: January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028
The Impact of Regulatory Change on Gambling Behaviour and Harm in Canada (#110)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. Robert J. Williams (Principal Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Youssef Allami (Co-Principal Investigator)
School of Psychology
Université Laval
Google Scholar Profile
Faheem Abou Obeya (Co-Investigator)
School of Psychology
Université Laval
Description
This longitudinal study will assess the impact of Alberta expanding its online gambling market to also allow private commercial gambling operators. By assessing gambling behaviour before and after this regulatory change and comparing Alberta to other provinces with varying regulatory frameworks (e.g., Quebec, Ontario), this project will help inform public policy by assessing the impact these regulatory changes may have on people who gamble.
Timeframe: December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027
Collectible Card Games (CCG) and Booster Packs: Another Form of Gamblification? (#111)
Project Approved 2025-26
Dr. James Sanders (Principal Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Lethbridge
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Daniel King (Co-Principal Investigator)
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Flinders University
Google Scholar Profile
Dr. Matthew Stevens (Co-Investigator)
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Flinders University
Erin Kardolus (Co-Investigator)
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Lethbridge
Description
Collectible card games (CCG) generate billions in revenue by selling booster packs that are conceptually similar to loot boxes and gambling and may be another form of gamblification of gaming. Using a case-control design with repeated measures, prevalence of CCG play will be assessed from an online panel of 10,000 Canadian adults, followed by 3,000 in-depth surveys (1,000 CCG players) to assess the associations between booster packs, loot boxes, and gambling. This research will clarify the roles of CCG and booster packs as gambling-like activities and assess associated harms including problem gambling.
Timeframe: December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2027