In-play betting is a natural evolution for the sports betting industry and a reflection of this generation’s preferences. It is an essential component of a comprehensive sports betting offering and presents growth opportunities for operators.
Structural features of in-game betting, such as short decision periods and high variance in outcomes, are speculated to contribute to gambling problems. Greater understanding of individuals who participate in this activity is required to inform regulatory strategies aimed at minimizing harms.
It’s a natural evolution
In the world of sports betting, a rich in-game offering is now essential for profitability. The growth of in-game wagers is a result of consumers’ increasing awareness of the possibilities offered by this type of market. Moreover, the ability to bet on any event during a game is driving consumer adoption.
A deeper understanding of the specific characteristics of individuals who engage in in-play betting could help guide regulatory approaches to minimize gambling harms. For instance, previous research suggests that in-play bettors present with greater psychosocial vulnerabilities and risky impulsive behaviors than single-event bettors and non-bettors.
The rise of in-play betting has transformed the sports broadcasting experience, and it is likely to continue to evolve with further technological innovations. However, its meteoric rise is accompanied by concerns about the potential risks of gambling addiction, and this must be taken into consideration when designing new products and services. Responsible gambling measures, such as limits and access to addiction support, will be crucial for maintaining a healthy balance between innovative offerings and the protection of vulnerable viewers.
It’s a reflection of this generation’s preferences
In a data-abundant era, young people think fast, act fast, and seek instant gratification. In-play betting provides a real-time, interactive experience that appeals to their interests and consumer habits.
In-play betting provides more information than pre-match betting and allows bettors to take advantage of fluctuations in odds. For example, if a team is dominant but hasn’t scored, the odds are likely to increase. Consequently, it’s important to stay updated and watch the game if possible.
In-play betting also allows bettors to hedge or cash out their bets, which can help them limit their losses. However, the risk of losing money is still present. It is important to avoid making impulsive bets in the aftermath of a loss, and to use sound analysis rather than emotion when placing bets. This will protect you from chasing your losses and potentially incurring more debts. Moreover, it is crucial to understand the demographic characteristics and psychological traits of individuals who place in-play bets. Greater understanding of this group is essential to inform regulatory approaches for minimizing gambling harms.
It’s a reflection of this generation’s consumption habits
In-play betting has emerged as a major trend in the US, where sports betting is gradually becoming legalized. It is a reflection of the millennial generation’s consumption habits and preferences, which require rapid thinking and reactions in a data-abundant world. This type of betting often results in impulsive decisions and can be harmful for people with gambling problems. Therefore, in-play betting products should be designed to be accurate and deliver bet settlements with close to zero latency.
Previous research suggests that in-play sports bettors are more likely to experience gambling-related harms compared to single-event and traditional bettors. These differences are speculated to be due to structural features of in-play betting, such as the short window for decision making and high variability in outcomes. In-play bettors also endorsed higher levels of childhood adversity, emotion dysregulation and facets of impulsivity than single-event and traditional bettors. In addition, they endorsed greater harms related to work, family, health, emotional/psychological and relationship domains.
It’s a reflection of this generation’s values
This type of betting allows players to bet on a game while it’s in progress. The odds of a game can change during the match, which makes it an exciting and engaging experience for sports fans. In the US, where sports betting is gradually being legalized, in-game betting has become one of the most popular forms of gambling.
In-play bettors are associated with a range of demographic features and psychosocial vulnerabilities, including childhood adversity, emotion dysregulation, affective impulsivity, and risk factors for problem gambling. They also engage in a greater number of gambling-related activities and have higher trait impulsivity than non-bettors. The directionality of these relationships is unknown, and further research is required to determine whether the structural characteristics of in-play betting may make it more likely to lead to gambling problems.
These findings support the hypothesis that in-play betting is a more risky form of sports betting than traditional pre-match betting, possibly due to its structure as a continuous rather than discontinuous form of gambling and its high event frequency. Consequently, this betting activity should be targeted with public health and Responsible Gambling initiatives.