Drivers of Gambling-Related Problems

The paper examines the risk factors associated with problematic sports betting. Young men who speak a language other than English, bet frequently, and engage in other forms of gambling are particularly vulnerable. The study revealed that those who bet for money and those with erroneous cognitions, gambling urges, and alcohol issues are at greater risk. The perceived skills of sports bettors are cognitive distortions, which lead to illusionary control and interpretive biases. Limiting sports betting to events that one is interested in watching can reduce the likelihood of developing a problem. Interventions aimed at reducing problematic sports betting should target high-risk individuals, such as younger men who engage in multiple forms of gambling.

Authors of this review:

Nikita Goncharenko

Date of Publication:

02/04/2023

Academic Reference:

Russell, A., Hing, N. and Browne, M. (2019). Risk Factors for Gambling Problems Specifically Associated with Sports Betting. Journal of Gambling Studies. 35.

Tags:sports gambling sports psychology

Key Ideas

41% of monthly sports bettors experience one or more gambling problems.

Demographic risk factors include young, male, single, educated, and employed or studying full-time.

Distal demographic risk factors include younger age, speaking a language other than English, and male gender.

Behavioral risk factors include more frequent betting, higher betting expenditure, diverse modes of access, and betting on other forms of gambling.

Impulse betting, as well as In-play betting, is more common amongst bettors with gambling problems.

Emotional reasons to place a bet could be an indicator for problem gambling prediciton.

Reasons for sports betting include excitement, extensive knowledge of the sport, an adrenaline rush, financial gain, boredom, and ease of accessibility.

Young men bond with others through sports betting for excitement and social acceptance.

Cognitive distortions are a significant risk factor, with erroneous cognitions such as interpretive bias, an illusion of control, and gambling-related expectancies.

Betting using credit cards, operator credit, and payday loans is riskier.

Betting only on events in which one is truly interested watching could be a potential guide for limiting sports betting-related problems.

The motivation of making money is a risk factor for gambling-related problems.

Higher urges and/or lower levels of self-control predict problem gambling.

sports betting wins can enhance ego, cultural capital, and social standing for those who perceive skill as part of sports betting.

Risk factors for being a moderate risk or problem sports bettor include higher monthly sports betting expenditure, higher gambling urges, alcohol issues, and lower self-control.

Young adult males appear to be the most at-risk group of sports bettors.

Higher-risk sports bettors tend to endorse money-oriented motivations and take less responsibility for their gambling.

Citations

External References

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Fang, X., & Mowen, J. C. (2013). Examining the antecedents of risky behaviors among young people in the United States and China. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 30(3), 238-247.

Gainsbury, S. M., Russell, A., Hing, N., Wood, R., Lubman, D., & Blaszczynski, A. (2013). How risky is internet gambling? A comparison of subgroups of internet gamblers based on problem gambling status. New Media & Society, 15(5), 668-689.

Gainsbury, S. M., Russell, A. M. T., & Hing, N. (2015). An investigation of social casino gaming among land-based and Internet gamblers: A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, gambling and co-morbidities. Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 228-235.

Hing, N., Gainsbury, S., & Russell, A. (2016). Interactive gambling. In R. J. Williams, R. T. Wood, & J. Parke (Eds.), Routledge International Handbook of Internet Gambling (pp. 29-48). Routledge.