Exploring the Experiences of Individuals Involved in Sports Betting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; a Qualitative Study
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Date
2023-12-19
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background- Sports betting is the activity of predicting sports results and placing a wager on the outcome. It is one of the most popular, rapidly evolving, and attractive forms of gambling. The DSM-5 mentions sports betting as a form of gambling preferred by younger groups of individuals. Researchers have identified that sports betting is associated with an increased risk of gambling-related harms like relationship difficulties, crime, and physical and mental health problems. There are only a few cross-sectional surveys in Ethiopia that show the prevalence of sports betting. But inductive exploration of the reasons for their engagement and of their experience is not systematically explored. Hence, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of individuals involved in sports betting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Study objective-To explore the experiences of individuals engaged in sports betting.
Methods- A phenomenological approach of qualitative study was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select study participants (n=13), and an in-depth interview was conducted using an interview guide. The data was transcribed, translated, and taken to open code for thematic analysis.
Results- We found that people engage in sports betting for reasons like financial interests, influence from peers and friends, and as a way of spending time and dealing with boredom. This study also identified several features that make sports betting more appealing, including ease of access, the possibility of gambling with a small amount of money, the benefit of avoiding confrontation and preserving friendships, giving football fans the opportunity to gamble on something they like, enabling people to test their knowledge about the sport, the availability of multiple options, and more rewards and reinforcements compared to other forms of gambling. Especially the betting game called keno has the potential to change traditional gambling into a very problematic and continuous form by increasing the event frequency. Subjective harms reported by the participants due to their involvement in sports betting include financial and psychosocial harms. Patterns suggestive of problematic betting found in this study include preoccupation and extensive planning, a tendency to bet successively and take more risky options after losing on a bet, unsuccessful attempts to quit, lying about involvement, social and occupational impairment, and negative emotional experiences.
Conclusion Sports betting has emerged as a recent behavioral trend that raises concerns for many individuals. This behavior appears to transcend the boundaries of mere leisure activity, displaying characteristics indicative of problematic gambling. This study identified key features that indicate problematic sports betting, including preoccupation and meticulous planning, a proclivity to place consecutive bets, opting for riskier choices following a loss, persistent yet unsuccessful attempts to quit, and dishonesty about betting activities to families and friends. Furthermore, individuals engaged in problematic sports betting reported experiencing subjective harm. This includes financial implications and psychosocial consequences such as feelings of guilt, anger, and irritability that impacts interpersonal relationships and occupational performance. Additionally, participants expressed transient feelings of depression, a loss of self respect, and a sense of inferiority linked to their involvement in sports betting. The multifaceted nature of these concerns highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding and intervention strategies to address the various dimensions of problematic sports betting behavior
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INVOLVED IN SPORTS BETTING