Gamified Savings as a Problem Gambling Intervention

This randomized lab-in-the-field experiment among 2,000 male youth in Kenya and Uganda tested whether soccer-themed prize-linked savings (PLS) products—with low-probability large rewards (“skewness”), early cash payouts, and game-like elements—could boost savings and crowd out sports betting. It found that offering early payments combined with skewed prizes significantly increased the likelihood of saving, and that adding gamification to this package further amplified savings behavior, whereas gamification or skewness alone (without early payouts) was less effective. These findings highlight the potential of innovative mobile financial tools to promote financial resilience and curb gambling addiction among youth.

Given the rising social and financial costs of youth gambling—and the current policy gaps in both countries—the policy recommendations include embedding PLS features—such as skewness, early payments, and gamification—into financial products aimed at youth, and introducing tax incentives for enterprises developing such savings tools. Governments should also update gambling and financial regulations to support the creation and scaling of savings interventions that leverage mobile technology to promote positive financial behavior and reduce the harms of youth gambling.

Research Team: NIERA members Laura Barasa (PhD), Annet Adong (PhD), and collaborators Sylvan Herskowitz (World Bank) and Maximilian Müller (UC Berkeley).