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Differences between gamblers and non-gamblers on sports betting websites
Citation
Leng, H. K., Phua, Y. X. P., Pyun, D. Y., Kwon, H. H., & Lin, Y.-C. (2022). Differences between gamblers and non-gamblers on sports betting websites. Journal of Gambling Studies, 38, 753-766. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-021-10065-8
Author
Leng, Ho Keat
•
Phua, Philip Yi Xian
•
Pyun, Do Young
•
Kwon, Hyungil Harry
•
Lin, Yen-Chun
Abstract
Online sports gambling is a popular recreational activity. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as the theoretical foundation, the aim of this study was to examine for differences between gamblers and non-gamblers in terms of their attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control towards online sports gambling. 173 male students from a tertiary educational institution were recruited for this study of which 56 respondents (32%) were gamblers. A series of regression analysis revealed differences between gamblers and non-gamblers. While subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of gambling intentions for the gamblers group, only attitude was a significant predictor for the non-gamblers group. Further analysis showed that subjective norms had a larger effect on the gamblers group in comparison to the non-gamblers group. Physiological data from an eye tracker provided further empirical evidence that there were differences between gamblers and non-gamblers. Gamblers, perhaps because they are more familiar with gambling websites, take less time to process information. The findings from this study suggests that there are differences between gamblers and non-gamblers. To prevent problem gambling, there is a need to develop different communication messages for gamblers and non-gamblers.
Date Issued
2022
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Journal of Gambling Studies
Project
RI 7/17 LHK
Funding Agency
National Institute of Education, Singapore