Examining Gambling-Related Problems and Participation-Related Motivations among a Sample of Daily Fantasy Sports Players
Session Title
Session 3-2-B: Understanding Daily Fantasy Sports from the Inside: Results from the Division on Addiction – DraftKings Research Collaborative
Presentation Type
Event
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Start Date
30-5-2019 11:00 AM
End Date
30-5-2019 12:25 PM
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Clinical Psychology | Sports Studies
Abstract
Abstract: Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are a relatively new form of fantasy sports where participants play contests over a short duration of time (e.g., day or weekend). Previous studies have found associations between traditional season-long fantasy sport participation and experiencing gambling-related problems. Previous studies have also assessed motivations for fantasy sport play among season-long fantasy sport players. The purpose of this study was to examine gambling-related problems and participation-related motivations among a sample of DFS players. An online (Qualtrics) survey was utilized to examine DFS participation (frequency), DFS-related motivations, and gambling-related problems among a sample of DFS participants (N=178). Participants were paid survey takers recruited by Qualtrics in April 2018. Inclusion criteria included being at least 18 years old and playing DFS at least 2-3 times in the past year. We examined the number of past-year gambling-related problems (using DSM-5 gambling disorder criteria) reported in this sample and whether there is a correlation between gambling-related problems and frequency of DFS play. In addition, we examined participant rankings of 12 motivations for participating in DFS. We will discuss how these findings compare to those found in previous studies among traditional season-long fantasy sport players.
Implications: This study extends previous fantasy sports research by examining gambling problems and motivations among daily fantasy sport (DFS) participants. Because DFS contests are more frequent and shorter in duration than traditional season-long contests, there are likely differences in the variables of interest between DFS players and season-long players.
Keywords
daily fantasy sports, gambling, gambling problems, motivations
Funding Sources
This research project was internally funded through East Carolina University (ECU). Other than IRB approval, ECU had no involvement in any aspects of the research.
Competing Interests
Ryan Martin is a paid consultant for the Division on Addiction DraftKings research contract.
Examining Gambling-Related Problems and Participation-Related Motivations among a Sample of Daily Fantasy Sports Players
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Abstract: Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are a relatively new form of fantasy sports where participants play contests over a short duration of time (e.g., day or weekend). Previous studies have found associations between traditional season-long fantasy sport participation and experiencing gambling-related problems. Previous studies have also assessed motivations for fantasy sport play among season-long fantasy sport players. The purpose of this study was to examine gambling-related problems and participation-related motivations among a sample of DFS players. An online (Qualtrics) survey was utilized to examine DFS participation (frequency), DFS-related motivations, and gambling-related problems among a sample of DFS participants (N=178). Participants were paid survey takers recruited by Qualtrics in April 2018. Inclusion criteria included being at least 18 years old and playing DFS at least 2-3 times in the past year. We examined the number of past-year gambling-related problems (using DSM-5 gambling disorder criteria) reported in this sample and whether there is a correlation between gambling-related problems and frequency of DFS play. In addition, we examined participant rankings of 12 motivations for participating in DFS. We will discuss how these findings compare to those found in previous studies among traditional season-long fantasy sport players.
Implications: This study extends previous fantasy sports research by examining gambling problems and motivations among daily fantasy sport (DFS) participants. Because DFS contests are more frequent and shorter in duration than traditional season-long contests, there are likely differences in the variables of interest between DFS players and season-long players.
Comments
Please group this paper on a panel with other DFS papers by Nelson, LaPlante, and Edson.