Differences in Positive Play Among Specific Sports Wagering Behaviors

Session Title

Poster Session

Presenters

Alexander ConnollyFollow
Shane W. Kraus, University of Nevada Las VegasFollow
Joshua Grubbs, Bowling Green State UniversityFollow

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

24-5-2023 10:30 AM

End Date

24-5-2023 11:15 AM

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Presentation Abstract:

Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. NCAA, a majority of states have legalized and launched sports gambling. With the increased prevalence of sports wagering, there are many concerns about possible increases in problem gambling and the effects of specific wagering behaviors (e.g., in-game bets vs. pre-game bets; money-line wagers vs. parlay cards) on problem gambling outcomes. More generally, while the literature surrounding sports gambling is increasing, little is known about specific wagering practices. Similarly, little is known about how responsible gaming practices (i.e., as measured by the Positive Play Scale) might be related to specific sports wagering habits. The present research aims to address this gap in research by exploring the differences in responsible play between the most popular forms of sports wagering. We assess these factors in a sample of adults in the United States who have recently bet on sports (N = 1,553) and a more general, representative sample of the U.S. population (N = 2,806). Results generally indicate that specific sports wagering behaviors are indeed related to positive play behaviors, which suggests that responsible gaming practices do influence the types of wagering people engage in.

Implications Statement:

Understanding the differences between responsible gambling behaviors of various forms of sports gambling could help understand what behaviors to look for in potential problem gamblers. If it can be determined which types of sports gambling are more associated with irresponsible gambling behavior, new targets for education and prevention efforts can be generated.

Keywords

Positive Play, Sports Gambling, Wagering Behaviors

Author Bios

Author Bios:

Alexander Connolly, M.A.., is a first-year doctoral student at Bowling Green State University in the SPARTA research group. His research is primarily concerned with gambling addiction, with a particular emphasis on positive play in sports wagering.

Shane W. Kraus, PhD., is assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the Director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab at UNLV. Dr. Kraus uses behavioral, epidemiological, and neurobiological methods to assess factors that contribute to the development of addictive behaviors among US military veterans. He has published over 140+ scholarly works in substance use, trauma, sexual behavior, and gambling disorder.

Joshua Grubbs, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University where he studies compulsive sexual behavior disorder, gambling disorder, and personality traits. He is especially interested in the social construction of addiction and understanding what leads people feel out of control in their behavior. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles on these topics and others.

Funding Sources

Funding Sources During the past 3 years, Joshua B. Grubbs has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, and the Kindbridge Research Institute. During the past 3 years, Shane W. Kraus has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies, Taylor Francis, Springer Nature, The Nevada Problem Gambling Project, Sports Betting Alliance, and Kindbridge Research Institute.

Competing Interests

Competing Interests During the past 3 years, Joshua B. Grubbs has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, Springer Science + Business Media, the Kentucky Psychological Association, the Center for Anxiety, the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use and Addictions, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, the Kindbridge Research Institute, the Charles Koch Foundation, the Conru Foundation, and the National Institute for Civil Discourse. During the past 3 years, Shane W. Kraus has received funding from the International Center for Responsible Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies, Taylor Francis, Springer Nature, The Nevada Problem Gambling Project, Sports Betting Alliance, and Kindbridge Research Institute.