The question faced by researchers is whether those who bet on sports drink more than normal, thus establishing a poor pattern. To find out, Dr. Joshua Grubbs, of the University of New Mexico, led a survey funded by the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG).
The JAMA Network Open published the first-of-its-kind study on the subject and the bottom line was yes to the correlation.
The Sports Wagering Research Fund of the ICRG supported the study with donations from an array of gambling-related organizations, among them American Gaming Association, MGM Resorts International, DraftKings, Caesars Entertainment, Entain, NASCAR, Hard Rock International, the PGA, and IGT.
“We are immensely grateful for the support from our partners, which enables us to pursue research that makes a meaningful difference,” said ICRG President Art Paikowsky.
Grubbs, the principal investigator, observed general patterns where those who bet online were prone to even more questionable behavior. Still not examined is whether bettors who wager by phone consume more alcohol than those at retail sportsbooks.
“Our research highlights a troubling trend of excessive alcohol use among sports bettors,” Grubbs said. “We must use these insights to formulate effective strategies that promote responsible gaming and alcohol consumption.”
To mitigate the potential for a dual rise risk, public health and regulatory officials need to lay out interventions and other strategies.
