QuitBet Phase II: A Digital Social Game That Pays You to Stop Smoking

QuitBet Phase II: A Digital Social Game That Pays You to Stop Smoking

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of QuitBet, a digital contingency management program for smoking cessation. QuitBet combines social gaming elements with participant-funded financial incentives in the form of a deposit contract. QuitBet "players" deposit (called the "bet") a specified amount of their own money into the game's "pot." All "winners" who achieve the game's goal split the pot equally, such that their bet is fully refunded plus they receive extra money from the forfeited bets of players who did not meet the goal. Participants (N = 550) will be randomly assigned to QuitBet or QuitBet-NS (deposit contract only, no social elements). All participants will be offered a second game after their first game (up to 8 weeks total game duration) and will be asked to complete a survey after each game and at 1 and 4 months after the end of the second game (3 and 6 months after the start of their first game). The study will compare QuitBet vs. QuitBet-NS on smoking behavior outcomes and examine potential mediators of outcomes such as motivation, engagement, and satisfaction.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Sufficient English fluency to complete study procedures
2. At least 21 years of age
3. U.S. resident of any state
4. currently smokes at least 5 cigarettes per day
5. has an email address
6. has a mailing address at which they can receive packages
7. owns an Internet-connected Apple iPhone or Android smartphone that is compatible with QuitBet
8. willing to deposit $30 via PayPal or a credit card
9. willing to receive financial incentives earned during QuitBet via PayPal or in a paper check sent by mail