Principal Investigator: Sarah E. Nelson, Ph.D.
Funder: Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Timeline: August 2025 – July 2026
In partnership with GREO, the Division will conduct an evaluation of the Massachusetts Voluntary Exclusion Program (MA-VSEP). The overall goal of this evaluation is to examine the perspectives and experiences of past and present VSE enrollees. Our specific aims to support this goal are to: (1) Assess outcomes and experiences among VSE enrollees who enrolled in the program prior to the current evaluation; (2) Prospectively assess the experiences of current enrollees via surveys upon enrollment and 6 months after enrollment, to examine resource usage and changes in behavior and attitudes across time; (3) Conduct in-depth interviews with VSE enrollees at different stages of VSE involvement to better contextualize survey data and examine ways VSE enrollment might facilitate recovery, barriers to VSE involvement, and potential VSE improvements; and (4) interview and survey organizations involved in either delivering the VSE program or supporting program enrollees to better understand integration of the program with other supports. This project will identify policy and program improvement opportunities for bolstering the effectiveness of MGC’s VSE program, thereby supporting the prevention and reduction of gambling-related harm in the Commonwealth.