Young men’s perceptions about the risks associated with sports betting: a critical qualitative inquiry

Abstract

Background Gambling is an inherently risky activity. New technologies have led to the development of new, online forms of gambling such as sports betting, with round the clock availability and accessibility. While young men have been identified as a group that may be particularly vulnerable to the harms associated with these new online products, few studies have qualitatively explored young men’s perceptions of the risks associated with these products. Using concepts associated with the sociology of risk, this paper sought to explore the range of factors that may influence how 18–24 year old young Australian men conceptualise the risks associated with sports betting. Methods Using a critical qualitative inquiry approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen participants in Victoria, Australia, who engaged in sports betting at least monthly. The data interpreted for this study included questions relating to awareness of gambling, the contexts associated with early gambling experiences; the factors that influenced current gambling behaviours, and why they engaged in gambling. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to interpreted themes from the data. Results Four key themes were constructed from the data relating to the factors that influenced risk perceptions. These included: 1) ‘The role of early experiences’, including exposure to gambling advertising in sport, and the gambling behaviours of social networks; 2) ‘The influence of peer rivalry and competition’, in which sports betting was used to form connections within and across peer groups; 3) ‘The normalisation of gambling’, including the embedding of gambling in everyday activities; and 4) ‘The influence of perceptions of knowledge, skill, and control’, including the belief that they could engage in responsible behaviours and stop gambling if they needed to. Conclusion This study indicated that a range of factors may influence how young men conceptualise the risks and benefits associated with sports betting. Current public health strategies for gambling that focus on individual determinants and responsibility paradigms must be broadened to target the social and commercial factors that influence young men’s attitudes towards, and engagement in sports betting.

“Drugs and alcohol get talked about, why not betting?” Young men's qualitative insights about strategies to prevent gambling harm

“…The data presented in this paper was part of a broader study that explored the sports betting experiences of young men. 34,35 The study was guided by critical qualitative inquiry, an approach that investigates issues of inequity and social injustice from a lived experience perspective. 36 This involves understanding how people define social justice issues and the solutions they believe are needed to promote positive health and wellbeing.…”

“…The data presented in this paper was part of a broader study that explored the sports betting experiences of young men 34,35 . The study was guided by critical qualitative inquiry, an approach that investigates issues of inequity and social injustice from a lived experience perspective 36 .…”

Demographic, gambling, and psychological characteristics of sports bettors in a stratified sample of adults who gamble regularly.

“…For instance, sports betting behavior is associated with financial harms such as overspending (Gathoni et al, 2021). Furthermore, several studies suggest that individuals who regularly engage in sports betting are at increased risk for problem gambling (Håkansson, 2020; Nower & Caler, 2019; Nyemcsok et al, 2022; Winters & Derevensky, 2019). For example, Nyemcsok et al (2022) found that nearly half of participants who were regular sports bettors were at either moderate or high risk for problem gambling.…”

“…Furthermore, several studies suggest that individuals who regularly engage in sports betting are at increased risk for problem gambling (Håkansson, 2020; Nower & Caler, 2019; Nyemcsok et al, 2022; Winters & Derevensky, 2019). For example, Nyemcsok et al (2022) found that nearly half of participants who were regular sports bettors were at either moderate or high risk for problem gambling. Russell et al (2019) examined the characteristics that put sports bettors at higher risk of problem gambling and found that higher frequency of sports betting, greater money spent on sports betting, and using multiple mediums to place bets were all associated with greater problem gambling severity among sports bettors.…”

Older adults' perceptions of the risks associated with contemporary gambling environments: Implications for public health policy and practice

“…Understanding the socio-cultural dimensions of risk environments is also important for shifting dominant discourses and policy approaches that have stubbornly focused on individualized framings of responsibility for gambling risk and harm (Marko et al, 2020 ), and marginalize the risks attributable to gambling products and environments (van Schalkwyk et al, 2021a ). Public health approaches are important because they move beyond a view of harm that is entirely the responsibility of the individual and focus also on situations and environments in which risk and harm is constructed (Marko et al, 2022 ; Nyemcsok et al, 2022 ). This invites consideration of the environmental and commercial factors that influence pathways to gambling (Bestman et al, 2020 ), including risky behaviors that occur within these contexts.…”