A comparative analysis of sports gambling in the United States

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to explore differences in demographic, self-concept and fan behavior factors that predict sports fans who bet and those who do not in legal and illegal gambling jurisdictions in the United States (US).Design/methodology/approachSeven hundred and eighty-nine sports fans and bettors from 47 states were surveyed through a partnership with a major media provider in the US. A number of demographic items, theoretically defined factors and fan behaviors were measured, and several two-way MANOVAs with interaction effects were conducted to determine differences between those who gamble and those who do not in legal and illegal jurisdictions.FindingsStatistically significant differences between those who bet and those who do not were found. Bettors look different and come from different backgrounds and locations. Psychographically, they were clearly more narcissistic. They also indicated a higher social identity and self-worth, yet perceived themselves as less worthy members of important social institutions. In general, sports bettors out consumed non-bettors as it relates sports spectatorship. In terms of differences between the groups across legal and illegal states, only a few factors were impacted. Self-worth and personal identity were factors that were found to be different between groups and jurisdictions as well as DFS participation.Originality/valueThe US sports gambling market is expected to grow US$6.5 billion in the next five years, yet very little is known, psychographically, about the US sports bettor. Sports gambling research, especially from a marketing perspective, has primarily been limited to Australia and the United Kingdom. This paper contributes to what we know about sports gambling and the emerging US market. In particular, the results uncovered fundamental trait, demographic and behavioral differences between US sports fans and sports bettors. The findings also provide similar foundational differences and similarities between those who bet in states with legal and illegal gambling.

The Income Elasticity of Gross Sports Betting Revenues in Nevada: Short-Run and Long-Run Estimates

In May 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, thereby allowing all states to offer sports betting. Prior to this, Nevada was the only state with unrestricted sports betting. Using sports betting data from Nevada, we estimate long-run and short-run income elasticities to determine the growth and volatility of sports betting as a tax base. Sports gambling grows at a similar rate as state income and is stable and insensitive to short-run shocks to income. However, the amount of money kept by casinos, and hence the state, is small compared to other traditional tax bases.

Analysing the Twitter accounts of licensed Sports gambling operators in Spain: a space for responsible gambling?

Apart from the economic impact of the online gambling industry, the social, public order and health-related consequences of the industry merit analysis to inform appropriate action, regulatory or otherwise. The omnipresence of ICTs, the inability to use technologies properly, along with the growth of online gambling channels, have acted simultaneously as a catalyst for the spread of pathological and problematic gambling. In this context, social networks have become a highly effective platform to instil positive attitudes towards the products of gambling operators. This work uses the Natural Language Processing based web application “GPLSI Social Analytics” to track, in real time, the conversations generated on Twitter about the Spanish domain accounts of the main online sports gambling operators. The findings indicate that most of the messages about these operators are positive and surprise is the predominant emotion associated with them. The notion of responsible online gambling barely receives a mention in the conversations analysed. Given the role of new technologies as access facilitators and potential enhancers of addictive behaviours, it is necessary to adopt measures directed at social networks that guarantee the coexistence of the right to freedom of expression with the protection of the most vulnerable populations.

Effective and responsible marketing of online sports gambling to young adults in the UK

In an industry that has experienced rapid growth for a number of years, where product differentiation is minimal, the marketing tactics of online sports gambling (OSG) bookmakers are likely to push the boundaries of what can be considered responsible, as companies seek to stand out from competitors and take advantage of industry growth. This research aims to explore how the marketing tactics of OSG companies shape the gambling habits of young adult consumers, and whether this demographic considers these tactics responsible. Recommendations are made on how online bookmakers can remain responsible in their marketing to young adults. Findings revealed that the primary motivation behind young adults’ recreational gambling was the excitement induced through participation. Further, young adults’ OSG bookmaker preference is influenced by promotional offers for existing customers. Results from the study indicate that in general, young adults do not deem the varied marketing techniques employed by OSG companies as irresponsible practices. However there were concerns regarding the potential impact of the continued increase in OSG marketing on problem gamblers and children (under 18).

Daily fantasy sports and the law in the USA

This chapter examines legal, regulatory, and social issues surrounding the phenomenon of the daily fantasy sports (DFS) industry in the USA. Traditional fantasy sports contests largely involved groups of family or friends creating their own respective “fantasy” teams of real professional athletes, whose actual games results over the course of an entire season determined the success of one’s fantasy team. Fantasy sports contests were not considered gambling on sports, and federal legislation exempts “fantasy sports” from prohibitions against online gambling. As the name implied, DFS is a different product, offering users who pay the DFS operating company to select their team roster on a daily basis, competitions can occur over a day or a week depending on the contest, and among thousands of users, few of whom are consistent winners in the contests. The DFS commercials and advertisements are again blaring the airwaves. Major DFS operators are expanding their product lines and are now fully immersed in online, mobile, and casino sports gambling in states where legal. The DFS and sports gaming market is booming; the technology, analytics, user sophistication, financial stakes, and the distinction between DFS and gambling are increasingly blurred. This chapter considers the legal, regulatory, and social issues arising from the expanding DFS and sport gaming business.

Conclusion

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020 led to a spectacular comeback of retail investing in global equity markets. Lockdowns forced millions of people to stay at home, and the suspension of the online sports gambling spirit enticed a new generation of ‘have-a-go investors’ to seek their luck and thrills in the stock market. Financial observers across the board expected the breathtaking surge in retail investing to be a lasting trend and to pose regulatory challenges to the market infrastructure for years to come. The retail stock market frenzy of 2020 and 2021 sparked debates over the place of the ‘amateur’ in the market, the role of social media, and the ‘gamification of investing’. These debates offer an opportunity to hold up a sharp and topical mirror to the historical findings of this book, which in turn may inform future debates about the meaning of retail investing.

Tipsters and Addiction in Spain. Young People’s Perception of Influencers on Online Sports Gambling

This research analyzes young people’s perception of the presence of tipsters as influencers on online sports gambling and whether their presence can promote addiction to this activity. To achieve this goal, we designed a questionnaire that was administered to young people in public universities in Madrid, being answered by 1032 individuals, out of whom 613 claimed to be regular bettors. We proceeded to the factor analysis of the variables with a high or very high correlation, and results showed that young people perceive a clear relationship between gambling and addiction. An even more enlightening aspect is the result that links tipsters with addiction to online sports gambling; young people’s perception correlates both concepts with extraordinary strength. This study’s main conclusion makes it clear that there is a huge amount of influence of tipsters on the world of online sports betting, as well as the risk of marrying these two concepts, since young people perceive that either they or others could be initiated into the world of problem gambling.

The concept of manipulation in sports competitions

Knowing the negative effect of sports manipulation for the sport and society, as well as the problems that is facing the Macolin Convention in its ratification, I decided to do this research in order investigate the phenomenon of match-fixing, controversial issues about the online gambling and potential effect of ratifycation of the convention and its entry into force. I was totally surprised when I found out so many International business law issues are covered in this topic. The sports betting markets are similar to the stock market, where odds movement de- pends on the performance of the teams and players. The insider trading is similar to the match-fixing, where a pre-match information for the result is used in order to achieve a great profit. Memorandums of understanding between betting companies, sports governing bodies and public authorities are used to cover the lack of regulation in this area. In the same time there is a need of acceleration of negotiations for the ratification of the convention due to the spreading of the phenomenon of sports manipulation. Key words: major manipulations, harmful aspects, existing problems, legalizing sports gambling, ethics of sports

Different types of manipulation in sport

Athletes are not roulette chips, but sports gambling treats them as such. If the dangers of state sponsored sports betting are not confronted, the character of sports and youngsters’ view of them could be seriously threatened… just as legalizing drugs would lead to increased drug addiction, legalizing sports gambling would aggravate the problems associated with gambling. As a society, we cannot afford this result, and… legalizing sports gambling would encourage young people to participate in sports to win money. They would no longer love the game for the purity of the experience. Key words: major manipulations, harmful aspects, existing problems, legalizing sports gambling, ethics of sports