Despite evidence for effectiveness, only a small proportion of individuals with gambling disorder ever access treatment and support resources for their problem. Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) programs are an ideal circumstance to engage individuals who are reluctant or have not yet sought formal treatment, given that individuals are already electing to prevent themselves from gambling through self-exclusion. The present study was a randomized controlled trial of a novel, online VSE self-management intervention.

Individuals who chose to self-exclude at gambling venues (N = 201) were randomly assigned to participate in an online self-management program combined with VSE or to an in-person self-awareness educational workshop combined with VSE comparison group. Following a baseline assessment, participants were followed up at three, six, and twelve months via telephone interviews. Measured outcomes were gambling frequency and expenditure, problem gambling scores, problem drinking scores, type of goal set for gambling behaviour, quality of life, and treatment-seeking.

The 12-month follow-up rate was 71% (n = 143). Participants in both VSE groups gambled less, spent less money gambling, and reported decreased need for formal treatment. However, there were no significant group differences on any of the primary or secondary outcomes. Only 30–35% of the participants completed their assigned workshop, depending on the group. Results from the online program satisfaction survey revealed that participants generally liked the program and rated the quality of the content highly, but thought there could be improvement regarding interactivity, variety, stimulation and greater clarity around registration steps and program objectives.

The online VSE program is an effective alternative to the face-to-face VSE program. Although the outcomes between the two programs were not significantly different, the online program is easier to administer, able to reach more individuals since it only requires access to a computer and is based on motivational evidence-based principles of psychotherapy for gambling disorder.

尽管有有效的证据，但只有一小部分患有赌博疾病的人曾经接受过治疗并为他们的问题提供了资源。自愿自我排斥（VSE）计划是与不愿或尚未寻求正式治疗的个人进行交流的理想情况，因为个人已经选择通过自我排斥来防止自己赌博。本研究是一项新颖的在线VSE自我管理干预措施的随机对照试验。

选择在赌博场所（N  = 201）进行自我排斥的个人被随机分配到参加与VSE结合的在线自我管理计划或与VSE比较组结合的面对面的自我意识教育工作坊。在进行基线评估之后，通过电话访谈对参与者进行了三个，六个月和十二个月的随访。衡量的结果包括赌博频率和支出，问题赌博分数，问题饮酒分数，为赌博行为设定的目标类型，生活质量和寻求治疗的方法。

12个月的随访率为71％（n  = 143）。两个VSE组的参与者都减少了赌博，减少了赌博费用，并报告减少了对正规治疗的需求。但是，在任何主要或次要结局方面均没有显着的群体差异。根据小组的不同，只有30–35％的参与者完成了分配的研讨会。在线节目满意度调查的结果表明，参与者普遍喜欢该节目并高度评价内容的质量，但认为在注册步骤和计划目标周围的交互性，多样性，刺激性和清晰度方面可能会有所改善。

在线VSE程序是面对面VSE程序的有效替代方案。尽管两个程序之间的结果没有显着差异，但在线程序更易于管理，能够覆盖更多的人，因为它只需要使用计算机，并且基于基于动机证据的赌博性疾病心理治疗原则。