Are esports bettors a new generation of harmed gamblers_ A comparison with sports bettors on gambling involvement, problems, and harm.pdf (633.69 kB)
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journal contribution
posted on 2022-05-11, 04:29 authored by Nancy GreerNancy Greer, Matthew RockloffMatthew Rockloff, Alexander RussellAlexander Russell, Lisa LoleLisa LoleBackground and aims: Esports betting is expanding in popularity, yet little is known about who participates in this niche gambling activity. This study aimed to determine whether esports bettors are more vulnerable to harms and problems than gamblers engaged in traditional sports betting. Methods: Data were collected from 298 regular esports bettors and 300 sports bettors (who regularly bet on traditional sports, but not esports). These groups were compared on demographics, gambling involvement, problem gambling, and gambling-related harms. Results: Compared to sports bettors, esports bettors were more likely to be younger, university-educated, employed (lower income earners), and speak a non-English language at home. Esports bettors gambled on fewer traditional gambling activities in the last 12 months, but compared to sports bettors, gambled more frequently on some activities, were more likely to meet problem gambler criteria (64.8.% vs 17.3%), and experience at least one gambling-related harm (81.9% vs 45.3%). Being an esports bettor significantly predicted greater problem gambling severity and gambling-related harms. More frequent esports skin betting and skin gambling (on games of chance) were significant predictors of gambling problems amongst esports bettors. Discussion and conclusion: The results provide preliminary evidence that esports bettors are more likely to experience gambling problems compared to their sports betting counterparts, potentially stemming from their involvement in emerging video-game related gambling products.
Funding
Category 3 - Industry and Other Research Income
History
Volume
10Issue
3Start Page
435End Page
446Number of Pages
12eISSN
2063-5303ISSN
2062-5871Publisher
Akadémiai KiadóPublisher DOI
Additional Rights
CC BY-NC 4.0Language
engPeer Reviewed
- Yes
Open Access
- Yes
Acceptance Date
2021-05-26Era Eligible
- Yes