The aim of this study is to analyse, in the Italian sports betting sector, the impact of Internet gambling on the level of consumption of gambling products and the responsible gambling strategies adopted by the on line gambling operators. From the methodological viewpoint the research work has been organised into two phases. In the first phase, an empirical investigation has been carried out on a sample of Italian consumers directed towards measuring the impact that the use of the Internet has on the volume of bets made on sports events. In the second phase, an analytical work has been performed on the on line gambling websites of the main operators of the Italian sports betting market, directed towards examining the measures adopted for promoting responsible gambling. The results of the empirical research indicate, on the one hand, that in the Italian market, as has happened in other national gambling markets, the legalization of on line sports betting may determine an increase in the level of consumption of gambling products and, thus, in the potential risks of excessive gambling; and, on the other hand, that the normative approach adopted in the Italian gambling market, based on a 'concession model' which provides for a strong public control of the gambling operators, has favoured a widespread adoption by the on line betting companies of an articulated series of measures aimed towards harm minimisation in Internet gambling. Thus, the findings of this study contribute towards the economic-managerial literature on the theme of firms' social responsibility by providing important insights for gambling firms and public policy makers regarding the responsible gambling strategies for Internet gambling adoptable in the markets, such as the Italian one, in which on line gambling is fully regulated.
This paper examines the digital convergence process that led to the development of the smartphone sector and the dynamics of entry, exit and innovation over the industry life cycle. We have verified, by a historical-longitudinal study, if several empirical regularities that characterize the evolution of firms and industries over time have distinguished also an industry born from a sectoral convergence process. From the analysis it emerged that the evolution of market sales and of product innovation in the smartphone industry, as well as firms entry and exit dynamics, are consistent with the evolutionary model identified by technology management and industry life cycle studies. It has also been found that the convergence process has favored the entry and the survival of new entrants, compared to the incumbent firms, coming from the native converging sectors – that of Personal digital assistants and of Mobile (feature) phones – from which the smartphone industry originated.
The paper analyses the loyalty typologies and consumer choice factors in the regulated online sports-betting industry. From the methodological viewpoint an empirical investigation has been carried out through the administration of a questionnaire towards customers who make sports bets on online gambling sites in the Italian regulated market. We have found that, in keeping with consumers' behaviour "regularities" which normally characterize frequently purchased consumer goods markets, the number of customers who are exclusively loyal to one gambling website is rather limited and that, therefore, online bettors mostly adopt a "multi-brand" buying behaviour. In the markets in which this behaviour pattern emerges, customer loyalty programs appear less efficacious in increasing market penetration of the companies with respect to the firms' decisions on marketing mix-inputs that influence consumer choice of purchasing. The empirical investigation has therefore permitted us to single out the factors that influence the decision to bet at one online gambling site over another, and to show how the importance of these factors varies in relation to the different degree of the gamblers loyalty. The results are then applied to marketing strategies of the online gambling operators.
This paper intends to offer a contribution, in the field of management studies, to the understanding of the reasons why the level of e-commerce use in a specific sector, that of gambling, is different for different categories of products offered. In particular, the aims of this work is to analyze how the nature and specific characteristics of the different types of games sold could influence the customers’ decisions in terms of choice between digital and physical purchase channels. Thus, consequently, impacting the degree of development of online sales for the different types of gambling. This analysis is carried out in the context of one of the main national legal gambling markets in the world, the Italian one, in which Internet gambling is now a mature and consolidated industry. The results of the analysis have shown that for most of the traditional betting categories offered in Italy – Lotteries, Lotto, Totalisator numerical game, Bingo, Virtual bets – the nature and the distinctive characteristics of the game give little emphasis to the potential benefits usually associated with online gambling, and this has determined a reduced development of online sales. Only for Sports-based games (sports betting) the nature and characteristics of the game seem to have exploited a number of significant benefits that Internet gambling offers to players. This helps to understand why betting websites for Sports-based games have become the main channel of purchase in Italy. These results have interesting managerial implications for gambling operators, as discussed in this work.
The rapid growth of e-commerce over the last years has sparked a stream of research that has analysed the impact of Internet retailing on consumer behavior. This paper intends to offer a contribution, in the field of management studies, to the understanding of the reasons why the level of e-commerce use in a specific service sector, that of gambling, is different for different categories of services offered. In particular, the aims of this work is to analyze how the nature and specific characteristics of the different types of games could influence the customers’ decisions in terms of choice between digital and physical purchase channels. Thus, consequently, impacting the degree of development of online sales for the different types of gambling. This analysis is carried out in the context of one of the main national legal gambling markets in the world, the Italian one, in which Internet gambling is now a mature and consolidated industry. The results of the analysis have shown that for most of the traditional betting categories offered in Italy – Lotteries, Lotto, Totalisator numerical game, Bingo, Virtual bets – the nature and the distinctive characteristics of the game give little emphasis to the potential benefits usually associated with online gambling, and this has determined a reduced development of online sales. Only for Sports-based games (sports betting) the nature and characteristics of the game seem to have exploited a number of significant benefits that Internet gambling offers to players. This helps to understand why betting websites for Sports-based games have become the main channel of purchase in Italy. These results have interesting managerial implications for gambling operators, as discussed in this work.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.