Ethics plays a critical role in guiding behavior across multiple domains, particularly those that affect individuals' lives and well-being. Two seemingly unrelated spheres—scientific research and online gambling—share surprising parallels when it comes to ethical considerations. Both involve the collection and use of data, require transparency, and carry potential risks for harm if not properly regulated. While their goals and methods differ, research and gambling must each balance innovation and access with responsibility and protection.
This article explores how ethical principles are applied in these two sectors, where their practices align, where they diverge, and what can be learned from each to build safer, more accountable systems.
Comme le souligne l’expert en éthique numérique français, Julien Mercier :
« Le secteur du jeu en ligne, notamment via des plateformes comme https://i24slots.fr/, gagnerait à s’inspirer des standards académiques. La clarté, la transparence et la protection des utilisateurs devraient être aussi fondamentales dans le divertissement que dans la recherche scientifique. »
Core Ethical Principles: Shared Foundations
Despite their differences, research and gambling are built on ethical pillars that reflect shared human concerns. These include:
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Autonomy – Respecting individuals' right to make informed choices
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Non-maleficence – Avoiding harm
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Beneficence – Promoting well-being
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Justice – Ensuring fairness and equity
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Transparency – Providing clear and truthful information
In scientific research, these values are formalized through international standards such as the Declaration of Helsinki or institutional review boards (IRBs). In online gambling, ethical oversight is less uniform, often relying on national regulators and platform-specific policies.
Informed Consent and User Awareness
In academic research, informed consent is a non-negotiable requirement. Participants must know what the study involves, what data will be collected, how it will be used, and what risks may be involved. They must voluntarily agree to take part.
In online gambling, while users typically agree to terms and conditions, the concept of informed consent is weaker:
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Terms are often complex and difficult to understand
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The psychological impact of gambling is not clearly disclosed
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Risk factors, such as addiction potential, are minimized or buried in fine print
Ethical gambling platforms are beginning to implement clearer explanations of odds, voluntary spending limits, and tools for self-exclusion—but widespread adoption is still lacking.
Data Use and Privacy
Both researchers and gambling operators collect user data, and ethical concerns arise around how that data is handled.
In research:
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Data is anonymized to protect participant identities
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Usage is limited to the stated purpose of the study
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Sharing data requires specific consent
In gambling:
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User behavior, financial activity, and game preferences are tracked
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Data may be used to optimize marketing or encourage extended play
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Monetization of personal data for third parties is often opaque
The ethical principle of respecting privacy and limiting exploitation is more strictly enforced in academia than in the gambling industry, though regulations such as GDPR are beginning to change this landscape.
Harm Reduction and Participant Safety
Scientific researchers are obligated to minimize harm. Studies with the potential to cause distress or injury are subject to strict oversight, and participants are often given the right to withdraw at any time.
In gambling, especially online, harm prevention measures are evolving but inconsistent:
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Some platforms provide addiction resources, cooling-off periods, and spending caps
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Others employ design tactics that encourage prolonged engagement (e.g., near misses, reward loops)
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Vulnerable populations—such as minors or individuals with gambling disorders—may still be exposed
A responsible gambling framework would mirror the risk assessment protocols of ethical research design: anticipating possible harm and actively mitigating it.
Transparency and Accountability
Academic research is built on transparency. Studies must disclose methodology, potential conflicts of interest, and funding sources. Peer review helps hold researchers accountable and correct errors or biases.
Online gambling platforms are often opaque:
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Algorithms determining odds or outcomes are rarely disclosed
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House edge and RTP percentages may be hidden or manipulated
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Conflicts of interest, such as partnerships with influencers, are not always transparent
Improving accountability in gambling would involve external audits, clearer user communication, and third-party certification—similar to peer review in research.
Regulation and Ethical Oversight
The research community has institutional structures for ethical oversight:
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Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
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Ethics committees
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Professional codes of conduct
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Licensing and accreditation processes
In contrast, the gambling industry is governed by a patchwork of national regulations, with varying degrees of strictness. Some countries have rigorous licensing processes; others have lax enforcement or legal loopholes.
This inconsistency leads to unethical practices such as:
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Targeting of problem gamblers
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Creation of unregulated platforms in offshore jurisdictions
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Exploitation of legal gray areas to avoid responsibility
A global, research-style approach to ethical governance in gambling could introduce higher standards and reduce harm across the board.
What Gambling Can Learn from Research Ethics
To enhance trust and safety, the gambling sector can adopt several practices from academic research:
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Require informed consent with simplified, honest disclosures
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Implement pre-use risk assessments for game designs and features
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Create ethical review bodies within large platforms
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Emphasize transparency in algorithms, odds, and profit models
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Offer voluntary withdrawal mechanisms similar to research opt-outs
By applying these principles, gambling platforms can evolve from purely commercial entities to socially responsible environments.
Conclusion
Though rooted in very different worlds, both scientific research and online gambling share ethical obligations to their participants and users. While science has developed robust frameworks for minimizing harm and promoting fairness, gambling is still catching up—especially in the online sphere where regulation is still developing.
Drawing lessons from research ethics offers a path forward for the gambling industry. Through greater transparency, accountability, and respect for user autonomy, it’s possible to create gaming environments that are not only exciting but also ethical and safe. In both science and play, responsibility must guide discovery—and enjoyment.
