Published on: September 22, 2024, 06:30h.
Last updated on: September 22, 2024, 01:03h.
A recent research conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) reveals that the rise of online gambling, particularly in sports betting, has exacerbated concerning trends among certain demographics, notably young men.
The study conducted by the New Jersey university found that surveyed men aged 18 to 30 reported gambling issues at a rate more than three times the national average — 10% compared to 3%. FDU identified sports betting and online slots as the primary sources of these problems.
Gambling is often portrayed as entertainment, and for most individuals, it remains just that,” stated Dan Cassino, a professor of Government and Politics at Fairleigh Dickinson, and the survey’s executive director. “However, there is always a risk of gambling evolving into problematic behavior, and online gambling is proving to be significantly more hazardous than other forms.”
Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), 38 states and Washington, DC have legalized some form of sports betting, either online or in-person, with an additional six allowing online casinos. The growth of iGaming is expected to continue as more states look for additional revenue streams.
Men More Prone to Gambling Issues than Women
Although there are slight differences in the participation rates of men and women in purchasing lottery tickets, scratch cards, and visiting brick-and-mortar casinos, the gap widens significantly in online gambling activities.
While data shows an increasing number of women participating in sports betting, only 6% of females surveyed by FDU wagered on sports in the past year, compared to 15% of men. Additionally, the study highlighted the susceptibility of young men to problematic gambling behaviors. While only 10% of respondents reported betting on sports in the past year, this percentage rose to 26% among males under 30.
“Sports betting has been heavily marketed towards young men, who are the primary consumers of sports,” Cassino added. “When every sports league partners with a betting platform, sports enthusiasts are more likely to engage in gambling activities.”
Furthermore, the FDU survey revealed that 24% of men admitted to having at least one form of gambling problem, with this percentage increasing to 45% for males under 30 and 38% among men aged 31 to 44.
Online Gambling Amplifies Issues, According to FDU
The FDU study is not the first to raise concerns about problematic gambling patterns among young men. A study commissioned by the NCAA in 2023 found that 17% of college students, predominantly male, disclosed losing at least $100 in a single day from sports betting, while 6% reported losses ranging from $500 to $1,000 in a day.
FDU suggests a connection between problematic gambling behaviors and the widespread availability of online gambling platforms, noting that individuals who gamble online are more likely to develop harmful habits compared to those who only play the lottery.
“For instance, only around 34% of individuals who play the lottery exhibit any signs of problem gambling, a figure that rises to approximately 40% for scratch card players,” the university concluded. “However, online gambling is closely linked to problem behaviors: 68% of respondents who bet on sports online reported at least one problematic gambling behavior, with a majority (53%) experiencing two or more issues. Of those who play online slots, 81% display at least one problematic behavior, with two-thirds reporting two or more; these figures are significantly higher than for similar games played in physical locations.”