The purpose of this study was to examine sports betting as a leisure practice. Specifically, this study examined how men participate in social relationships through sport and gambling activities. This study also explored the perspectives of women who share intimate relationships with men who bet on sports. A total of 20 people living in Australia were interviewed. Participants included 10 men who used sports betting applications recreationally (i.e., bet at least once a month) and were involved in a romantic relationship within the past three years. The remaining 10 participants were women who were currently dating or had dated someone who bet on sports within the last three years.
The findings highlight how men who bet on sports expressed shame and stigma towards particular forms of betting (i.e., betting alone and specific types of bets) and problem gambling. This helped legitimize their own betting practice and position themselves favourably in the masculine hierarchies of betting. By contrast, women viewed their partner’s pursuit of sports betting with understanding and indifference, provided that it was at a recreational level.