An investigation of esports betting: Involvement, risk and gambling-related harms

Session Title

Esports Betting & Competitive Gaming

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Start Date

27-5-2026 12:00 AM

Abstract

Esports betting is an emerging form of gambling that intersects with video gaming and may pose a unique risk for younger populations. This presentation reports findings from a mixed-methods study examining the scope, correlates, and potential harms of esports betting. Quantitative analyses of a population-based sample of U.S. adults (N=3,512) showed that 7% engaged in esports betting in the past year, with one-third betting at least weekly. Compared to individuals who gamble on non-esports activities, esports bettors were significantly younger, more likely to be male and single, and more frequently engaged in other gambling activities and video gaming. Importantly, esports betting was independently associated with elevated risk of problem gambling after controlling for engagement in 14 other gambling activities. A latent profile analysis of esports bettors (n=274) identified four distinct risk profiles. The high-risk subgroup was characterized by high engagement in loot box purchasing and skin betting, and more severe video gaming problems. Qualitative focus groups with 46 college students who play and/or bet on esports further contextualized young esports consumers’ experiences and perceptions. Many participants reported betting on offshore sites, including some using cryptocurrency, believed that esports knowledge improved betting accuracy, and had limited awareness of esports betting legality and the presence of responsible gambling safeguards on the platforms they used.

Author Bios

Vivien Wen Li Anthony, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and the Scientific Director for Video Gaming and Esports at the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. Her research centers on problem technology use, including video gaming, esports, gambling, and other interactive technologies, examined through the lens of behavioral addiction. Her recent work focuses on the intersection of gambling and video gaming, including phenomena such as loot boxes, skin betting, and esports betting.

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May 27th, 12:00 AM

An investigation of esports betting: Involvement, risk and gambling-related harms

Esports betting is an emerging form of gambling that intersects with video gaming and may pose a unique risk for younger populations. This presentation reports findings from a mixed-methods study examining the scope, correlates, and potential harms of esports betting. Quantitative analyses of a population-based sample of U.S. adults (N=3,512) showed that 7% engaged in esports betting in the past year, with one-third betting at least weekly. Compared to individuals who gamble on non-esports activities, esports bettors were significantly younger, more likely to be male and single, and more frequently engaged in other gambling activities and video gaming. Importantly, esports betting was independently associated with elevated risk of problem gambling after controlling for engagement in 14 other gambling activities. A latent profile analysis of esports bettors (n=274) identified four distinct risk profiles. The high-risk subgroup was characterized by high engagement in loot box purchasing and skin betting, and more severe video gaming problems. Qualitative focus groups with 46 college students who play and/or bet on esports further contextualized young esports consumers’ experiences and perceptions. Many participants reported betting on offshore sites, including some using cryptocurrency, believed that esports knowledge improved betting accuracy, and had limited awareness of esports betting legality and the presence of responsible gambling safeguards on the platforms they used.