An examination of sports betting, problem gambling, and the breadth and depth of gambling activities

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Author(s): Grubbs, Joshua B. ; Kraus, Shane W.

Journal: Comprehensive Psychiatry

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: December 13, 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the risks of sports-betting behaviour while accounting for the breadth and depth of gambling activities. The researchers used YouGov America to recruit participants. Participants were split into two groups, including 1561 adults who gambled on sports and 1251 adults who gambled but not on sports. Participants completed an online survey. Breadth of gambling involvement was measured by the number of different types of gambling that participants engaged in. Depth of gambling was measured by frequency of gambling. Problem gambling behaviour was measured using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Compared to those who gambled but not on sports, participants who bet on sports had greater breadth and depth of gambling. They were also more likely to be at risk of problem gambling. But there was no link between specific forms of sports gambling and risk of problem gambling. Instead, the breadth of gambling and depth of gambling were more strongly linked to problem gambling symptoms.

Citation: Grubbs, J. B., & Kraus, S. W. (2023). The relative risks of different forms of sports betting in a U.S. sample: A brief report. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 127, 152420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152420

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152420

Keywords: behavioural addictions ; daily fantasy sports ; esports ; fantasy sports ; gambling ; online gambling ; sports betting

Topics: Fantasy Sports ; Online Gambling ; Sports Betting

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types ; Exposure - Gambling Setting ; Types - Structural Characteristics ; Exposure - Accessibility ; Psychological Factors

Response Rate: The researchers recruited two samples of American adults. The first census-matched sample had a response rate of 88%. The second sample, consisting of sports-wagering adults in the U.S., had a response rate of 79%.

Study Design: Descriptive: Survey

Geographic Coverage: United States of America

Study Population: American adults (n=2806) from the general population and sports-wagering adults (n=1557) who were recruited from the YouGov America online panel.

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used YouGov America to recruit two samples of American adults. The first sample was randomly recruited from the general population based on the 2019 American Community Survey. The second sample consisted of an oversample of sports-wagering adults in the U.S.

Study Funding:

This study was funded through grants from the Kindbridge Research Institute and the International Center for Responsible Gaming. Joshua B. Grubbs was also supported by the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio.