More frequent use of live sports-betting features is associated with increased risk of gambling harm: evidence from a case- control design

BackgroundMany theories of gambling harm propose that interactive design features of sports-betting platforms confer risk of harm by enabling cyclical patterns of repeated gambling engagement. This exploratory study investigated whether such features were used more frequently by people at higher risk of gambling harm relative to a demographically matched lower-risk control group.MethodsThis study used a case-control design to compare a group of 85 people at higher risk of gambling harm (PGSI 5+) with an age- and gender-matched control group at lower risk of harm (n = 84, PGSI 0-4). We compared the frequency with which groups self-reported using in-play betting, instant cash-out, multi and micro bets, social betting, and viewing live-streamed events within a betting app.ResultsThe higher-risk group reported more frequent use of in-play betting and instant cash-out and were more likely to report streaming live sporting events within a betting app. Higher-risk participants were also more likely to make an immediate deposit to qualify for a marketing offer, and both groups reported being more likely to make risky bets when using bonus funds. We observed no group differences in the frequency of use of multis, micro-bets, or social betting.ConclusionsOur findings were broadly consistent with the theory that design features of modern betting platforms contribute to gambling harm by facilitating continuous engagement. A notable finding was that in-app streaming of live events was more common among people at higher risk of gambling harm, consistent with a novel prediction made by the motivating theory.