Problem gambling and associated mental health concerns in elite athletes: a narrative review

Abstract

Opportunities to participate in gambling have dramatically changed during the past 20 years. Casinos have proliferated as have electronic gambling machines, lotteries, sports betting, and most recently online gambling. Gambling among the general population has moved from being perceived negatively to a socially acceptable pastime. As over 80% of individuals have reported gambling for money during their lifetime, governments recognise that regulating gambling—a multibillion dollar industry—is a significant source of revenue. While the vast majority of individuals engaged in some form of gambling have no or few gambling-related problems, an identifiable proportion of both adolescents and adults experience significant gambling-related problems. Elite athletes have not been immune to the lure of gambling nor its concomitant problems. Prevalence studies suggest higher rates of gambling problems among athletes than the general population. In this narrative review, we examine several risk factors associated with gambling problems among elite athletes and new forms of gambling that may be problematic for this population. Given the potential serious mental health and performance consequences associated with a gambling disorder for athletes, we aim to increase coaches’, athletic directors’ and health professionals’ knowledge concerning the importance of screening and treatment referrals.

Problem Gambling in the Fitness World—A General Population Web Survey

“…Also, based on research from student athletes, it is likely that attitudes and expectancies related to gambling may separate problem gamblers from others [11], i.e., risk factors which could potentially be addressed through educational or motivational efforts. Researchers have called for increased attention to problem gambling in the world of elite athletes [13], and the present web survey in people likely to have a high-degree involvement in physical exercise calls for an increased attention to male problem gambling also in this group.…”

“…Further, the potential link between sports and gambling may be further enhanced by the large involvement of the gambling industry and intense advertising in the world of sports [12]. In addition to this, high-profile athletes have been used in marketing, and an increasing body of literature in recent years has highlighted the potential association between sports and problem gambling [13]. Recent years have seen an increasing popularity in sports betting, particularly in the younger population [14], and possibly perceived as a socially acceptable form of gambling [15,16].…”

Erroneous beliefs and emotional involvement as predictors of athletes´ sports betting behavior and problems

“…Here, the present research expands on previous efforts reporting sports betting specific risk factors in non-athlete samples (Russel et al, 2019), efforts on athlete-specific risk factors (e.g. Derevensky et al, 2019;Grall-Bronnec et al, 2016;Weiss & Loubier, 2010) as well as work on different types of cognitive distortions and their influence on gambling problems and behavior (Cowie et al, 2017). By specifically targeting these cognitions and beliefs, this approach might add entry points for clinical treatment as well as prevention efforts and policy decisions.…”

“…While several high-profile athletes -like former England international Andros Townsend -have reportedly suffered from problematic sports betting and seen their struggles documented in mass media, athletes in general (with different levels of expertise) have also been brought into focus as a potential high-risk group by different researchers (e.g. Derevensky et al, 2019;Grall-Bronnec et al, 2016;Weiss & Loubier, 2010). They have been hypothesized to be at an elevated risk due to higher availability of betting venues, a general tendency for taking risks and competing with others (Curry & Jiobu, 1995) as well as more generally high levels of social acceptability of sports betting in sports-related environments (for a review: Derevensky et al, 2019).…”

“…Derevensky et al, 2019;Grall-Bronnec et al, 2016;Weiss & Loubier, 2010). They have been hypothesized to be at an elevated risk due to higher availability of betting venues, a general tendency for taking risks and competing with others (Curry & Jiobu, 1995) as well as more generally high levels of social acceptability of sports betting in sports-related environments (for a review: Derevensky et al, 2019). Additionally, athletes have been reported to more likely bet on the sport they have played and prefer allegedly skill-based forms of gambling (Weiss & Loubier, 2010).…”