Philip Newall

My Story: How I Became a Researcher of Gambling Behaviour

My name is Philip W. S. Newall, and my academic career has focused on understanding gambling behaviour, gambling harms, and the policies that can help reduce risks for players. Today I work as a Lecturer in Psychological Science at the University of Bristol, where my research explores how people interpret risk, how gambling environments influence behaviour, and how public policy can reduce harm while preserving individual freedom.

My interest in gambling research began long before my academic career started. As a young adult, I spent considerable time playing online poker. Poker is a fascinating game because it blends strategy, psychology, probability, and risk. While playing, I became increasingly interested in how players interpret probabilities and why some individuals develop problematic gambling behaviours.

That curiosity gradually evolved into an academic research interest. I began studying behavioural economics and psychology to understand how people make decisions under uncertainty. Gambling became a natural focus because it represents one of the clearest environments in which human decision-making biases can be observed.

Over time, my work developed into a broader investigation of gambling psychology, consumer protection policies, and the ways in which gambling technologies affect behaviour.

Education and Early Academic Development

My academic journey formally began with studies in economics and behavioural science. I was particularly interested in how individuals interpret probability, risk, and reward. Many people assume that gambling decisions are irrational, but behavioural science shows that these decisions often follow predictable psychological patterns.

I later pursued a PhD in Economics at the University of Stirling, completing my doctoral research in 2016. My doctoral work focused on behavioural economics and gambling decision-making. During this time, I studied how players interpret odds, how gambling products influence behaviour, and how risk perception can be distorted by presentation and marketing.

Doctoral research provided me with the opportunity to combine economic modelling with psychological insights. I became especially interested in the concept of risk communication—how information about probability is presented to consumers.

Many gambling products present probabilities in ways that are difficult for people to interpret correctly. My research sought to understand how these communication strategies influence behaviour.

My Academic Education and Training

Expanding My Research Through International Collaboration

After completing my doctorate, I continued my academic career through several research positions across Europe. I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Munich and later collaborated with researchers at the University of Warwick.

These experiences allowed me to work with interdisciplinary teams of economists, psychologists, and policy researchers. Our work focused on behavioural decision-making, consumer protection, and gambling harm prevention.

Working internationally also exposed me to different regulatory approaches to gambling. Some countries adopt stricter regulatory models, while others rely more heavily on consumer education. Comparing these systems helped me better understand how policy design affects gambling behaviour.

My Academic Career Timeline

My Research Focus Today

At the University of Bristol, my work focuses on gambling harms and behavioural science. I examine how gambling products influence behaviour and how policies can reduce harm.

My research examines several key topics:

• gambling warning messages
• consumer protection policies
• behavioural biases in gambling
• gambling-like mechanics in video games
• risk communication

One well-known study I conducted examined the widely used message “When the Fun Stops, Stop.” The goal of that research was to test whether such messages actually influence player behaviour.

The results showed that simple warning messages often have limited impact unless they are carefully designed and supported by other protective measures.

These findings highlight the importance of evidence-based policy when designing consumer protection strategies.

Selected Research Publications

Explore My Research Topics

My research focuses on understanding how people interact with gambling environments and how psychological factors influence decision-making. I examine how individuals interpret probabilities, respond to warning messages, and make choices when faced with uncertainty. A major part of my work explores how gambling products and marketing strategies can shape behaviour, sometimes encouraging risky patterns of play. I am also interested in the role of regulation and consumer protection, analysing how policies can reduce gambling harms while maintaining fair entertainment environments. By combining insights from psychology, economics, and public health, my research aims to provide evidence that helps policymakers, researchers, and society better understand and address gambling-related risks.

Institutions Where I Worked

Throughout my academic career, I have had the opportunity to work at several respected research institutions across Europe. Each stage of my professional journey helped shape my understanding of behavioural science, gambling psychology, and public policy. These institutions provided the environment and resources necessary to explore complex questions about risk, decision-making, and consumer protection.

My doctoral research at the University of Stirling allowed me to develop a strong foundation in behavioural economics and gambling studies. During this period, I focused on how individuals interpret gambling odds and how psychological biases influence betting decisions.

After completing my PhD, I continued my research as a postdoctoral scholar at the Technical University of Munich, where I expanded my work on decision science and risk behaviour. Later, my time at the University of Warwick further strengthened my focus on policy-oriented research.

Today, at the University of Bristol, I continue to investigate gambling harms and behavioural interventions that can promote safer gambling environments.

My Vision for the Future of Gambling Research

Looking forward, I believe gambling research must continue evolving alongside technology. Online betting, mobile gambling, and digital gaming environments are transforming how people interact with risk and reward.

The challenge for researchers and policymakers is to understand these changes and design systems that protect players without unnecessarily restricting personal choice.

Behavioural science provides powerful tools for understanding decision-making. By combining psychological research with evidence-based policy design, we can create safer gambling environments that reduce harm while maintaining fairness and transparency.

My work continues to focus on these goals, combining research, policy engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration.