Abstract

Gambling problems constitute a major public health concern that threatens individuals’psychological and social well-being, and the rapid expansion of illegal online gambling and the diversification of gambling models have intensified the need for more multifaceted intervention strategies. In this context, we focused on digital health, which has been recognized for its advantages in accessibility and cost-effectiveness. We examined international literature on web- and app-based programs with a focus on intervention content, as well as chatbot-based interventions, immersive technologies, and machine learning-based prediction and assessment as key drivers of changing intervention paradigms. Web- and app-based interventions were largely grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, with recent developments incorporating integrated interventions addressing emotional and gambling problems, location-based approaches, and just-in-time adaptive interventions. In addition, chatbot-based, immersive, and machine learning–based approaches demonstrated potential to support continuous bidirectional interaction, enable ecologically valid intervention environments, and enhance the objectivity of clinical decision-making based on big data. A review of domestic trends reveals that Korea’s digital health applications for gambling remain in the early stages with limited empirical evidence. Finally, we discussed key issues surrounding the application of digital health and future directions for research and practice.