Table 1.

Description of the included studies.

Author (Year)	Title	Country	Design	Objective	Methodology	Population	Conclusion
Hing and Nuske (2012) [27]	The self-exclusion experience for problem gamblers in South Australia	Australia	Original research	“While self-exclusion programs are widely available, little research has been conducted into their operations and efficacy, particularly from the self-excluders’ perspective. This paper presents findings from 36 survey responses and 23 interviews with gamblers who had self-excluded through a centralized service in South Australia.”	Qualitative research. Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. No instrument mentioned for scoring gambling problems	Phase 1 survey: n = 36 33% men 67% women Phase 2 telephone interview: n = 23 35% men 65% women Mean age = 46.1 Only self-excluders	“They identified key program shortcomings as low publicity, limits on how many venues they could self-bar from, and inadequate venue monitoring for breaches of self-barring orders. Nevertheless, the centralized service, staffed by trained psychologists and located away from gaming venues, which allows multiple venue barring in one application, appeared advantageous over programs that require people to self-exclude directly from individual gaming venues. Most respondents (85%) had ceased or lessened their gambling in the 12 months following self-barring. Nevertheless, some continued to struggle to manage their gambling, reflected in breaches of their orders and gambling in venues from which they were not excluded.”
Hing et al. (2014) [16]	A Process Evaluation of a Self-Exclusion Program: A Qualitative Investigation from the Perspective of Excluders and Non-Excluders	Australia	Original research	“This paper draws on a process evaluation of Queensland’ self-exclusion program to examine how people use the program, motivations for self-excluding, barriers to use, experiences and perceptions of program elements, and potential improvements.”	Qualitative research. Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. No instrument mentioned for scoring gambling problems	n = 103 56% men 44% women Mean age = 43.8 All problem gamblers: Self-excluders (n = 53) Not self-excluded (n = 50)	“While the program is reaching some of the target group, others are delayed or deterred from entering the program due to low awareness, shame, embarrassment, the need to exclude individually from venues, lack of privacy and confidentiality, and low confidence in venue monitoring.”
Hing et al. (2015) [28]	Maintaining and losing control during Internet gambling: A qualitative study of gamblers’ experiences	Australia	Original research	“This paper provides an in-depth exploration of the psycho-social factors and processes related to maintaining and losing control during Internet gambling. It explores features of Internet gambling leading to loss of control, control strategies used by Internet gamblers, and perceived utility of online responsible gambling measures.”	Qualitative research, Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. Instrument used: Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) [29]	n = 25 100% men 0% women Mean age = 39.9 All participants scoring 3+ on the PGSI	“The most frequently identified aspects of Internet gambling leading to impaired control were use of digital money, access to credit, lack of scrutiny and ready accessibility. Participants used a range of self-limiting strategies with variable success. Most considered that more comprehensive responsible gambling measures are required of Internet gambling operators.”
Pickering et al. (2022) [30]	Online self-exclusion from multiple gambling venues: Stakeholder co-design of a usable and acceptable self-directed website	Australia	Online demographics and screening questionnaire. Semi-structured focus groups and interviews	“(1) To elicit key stakeholders’ ideal expectation of a self-exclusion website in terms of its design features and functioning; (2) to identify practical issues that could potentially impact the website development and implementation.”	Qualitative research. Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. No instrument mentioned for scoring gambling problems	n = 25 48% men 52% women Mean age = 37.7 5 self-excluders 20 “professional participants”	“Stakeholder perspectives were consistent with content analysis indicating the importance of website user-friendliness, flexibility, supportiveness, and trustworthiness. Participants believed that the entire self-exclusion process should be conducted online, including identity verification, whilst expecting high-level data security measures to protect their personal privacy.”
Pickering et al. (2019) [31]	Consumer Perspectives of a Multi-Venue Gambling Self- Exclusion Program: A Qualitative Process Analysis	Australia	Original research	“Participants were asked open-ended questions about their experiences and opinions of [a multi-venue self-exclusion program for land-based gaming machine venues], including its strengths and weaknesses, and suggested improvements for future consumers.”	Qualitative research. Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. Instrument used: Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) [29]	n = 20 55% men 45% women Mean age = 46.2 13 current self-excluders 7 former self-excluders	“Participants lacked confidence in venues’ willingness and ability to identify non-compliant gamblers and high- lighted the need for vastly improved detection systems. The quality of interactions with venue staff in relation to self-exclusion were mixed; counsellor support, however, was perceived as important from beginning to end of a self-exclusion period.”
Tong et al. (2018) [32]	Public Awareness and Practice of Responsible Gambling in Macao	China (Macau)	Original research	“To explore means for enhancing the responsible gambling (RG) campaign, we studied Macao residents’ interpretation and adoption of RG practices. In Study 1, a random community sample was collected to assess the extent to which common RG practices were adopted. In Study 2, focus group discussions were conducted to explore how RG was conceptualized.”	Qualitative research. Ethics approval and informed consent obtained. Instruments used: DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder [33] and the evaluation items of the Responsible Gambling Organizing Committee [34]	Study 1 n = 1020 45% men 55% women Mean age = 44.49 Random community sample Study 2 n = 25 24% men 76% women Age range: 21–63 Non-problem gambling disorder gamblers	“We found that people in Macao may not conceptualize RG in the same way as the government envisions it, and it may partially be a result of their limited knowledge and a lack of confidence in the stakeholders, such as the gaming operators. Our participants also displayed low trust toward counseling service institutes, which may be a result of the non-transparent procedure involved in help-seeking.”