Changing Gambling Behavior through Experiential Learning

B-Tier
Journal: World Bank Economic Review
Year: 2021
Volume: 35
Issue: 3
Pages: 745-763

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper tests experiential learning as a debiasing tool to reduce gambling in South Africa, through a randomized field experiment. The study implements a simple, interactive game that simulates the odds of winning the national lottery through dice rolling. Participants first roll one die until they obtain a six, followed by two dice until they roll 2 sixes. They are then informed that the probability of winning the lottery jackpot is equivalent to rolling all sixes with nine dice. The results show that individuals who need many attempts to roll 2 sixes play the lottery significantly less than the control group, while those who need fewer attempts adopt the opposite behavior. These findings provide practical guidance for designing interventions to give individuals brief experiences that correct biases in their beliefs.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:wbecrv:v:35:y:2021:i:3:p:745-763.
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24