Examining the unique characteristics of people who bet on sports

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Author(s): Snaychuk, Lindsey A. ; Ashley, Angela M. ; McGrath, Daniel S. ; Hodgins, David C. ; Williams, Robert J. ; Kim, Hyoun S.

Journal: Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

Year Published: 2023

Date Added: February 22, 2024

Past research suggests that people who bet on sports are more likely to experience gambling-related problems and psychological difficulties compared to those who do not. In this study, the researchers examined the demographic, clinical, and gambling-related characteristics of people who bet on sports. The researchers analyzed data collected from 10,039 Canadian adults. Among these participants, 1,816 participants reported betting on sports within the past year. People who bet on sports were more likely to experience problem gambling and gambling harms. They were more likely to report a diverse range of clinical disorders and substance uses. They also had unique demographic and gambling characteristics. These findings suggest that people who bet on sports are a unique population, and that targeted prevention and intervention efforts are warranted.

Citation: Snaychuk, L. A., Ashley, A. M., McGrath, D. S., Hodgins, D. C., Williams, R. J., & Kim, H. S. (2023). Demographic, gambling, and psychological characteristics of sports bettors in a stratified sample of adults who gamble regularly. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 37(8), 1089–1100. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000971

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000971

Keywords: comorbidities ; gambling harm ; problem gambling ; sports betting

Topics: Comorbidities ; Gambling and the Brain ; Sports Betting

Conceptual Framework Factors: Gambling Types

Study Design: Secondary Data Analysis

Geographic Coverage: Canada

Study Population: Canadian adults who had gambled once a month or more within the past year (N = 10,039)

Sampling Procedure: The researchers used baseline data from the Alberta Gambling Research Institute’s National Project (ANP). The baseline survey was administered via Leger Opinion between August 2018 and October 2018. An email invitation was sent to eligible panelists. Repeated email solicitations were sent out until a sample of at least 10,000 was achieved, with an equal number from each province or region (i.e., 1,400 each from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and 1,400 from the four Atlantic provinces combined).

Study Funding:

No funding source was declared for this study.