End-of-Session Temporal Escalation of High-Stakes Betting: Examining Its Overlap with Loss Chasing
Session Title
Gambling Psychology: Risk, Time & Escalation
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Start Date
28-5-2026 12:00 AM
Abstract
Background: Loss chasing has been defined as persistent gambling behavior driven by attempts to recover prior losses. In parallel, behavioral economic research has documented the end-of-the-day betting effect, whereby gamblers increasingly favor high-risk wagers as a gambling session approaches its conclusion. Despite conceptual similarities, the empirical relationship between these two research traditions remains insufficiently understood. Method: The present study investigated end-of-session temporal escalation of high-stakes betting, focusing on its prevalence, association with gambling disorder severity, and underlying motivational and situational factors. An online survey was conducted in November 2025 with 2,000 Japanese adults with prior gambling experience. Results: End-of-session high-stakes betting was reported by a substantial proportion of gamblers, indicating that this behavior is not confined to a small or exceptional subgroup. Importantly, its prevalence increased markedly with gambling disorder severity. The most strongly endorsed motivation was the desire to make a comeback and offset accumulated losses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that end-of-session high-stakes betting is a common behavioral pattern that becomes increasingly pronounced as gambling problems intensify. Although this behavior can be conceptually distinguished from traditional loss chasing by its temporal framing, substantial overlap in underlying motivational processes was observed.
End-of-Session Temporal Escalation of High-Stakes Betting: Examining Its Overlap with Loss Chasing
Background: Loss chasing has been defined as persistent gambling behavior driven by attempts to recover prior losses. In parallel, behavioral economic research has documented the end-of-the-day betting effect, whereby gamblers increasingly favor high-risk wagers as a gambling session approaches its conclusion. Despite conceptual similarities, the empirical relationship between these two research traditions remains insufficiently understood. Method: The present study investigated end-of-session temporal escalation of high-stakes betting, focusing on its prevalence, association with gambling disorder severity, and underlying motivational and situational factors. An online survey was conducted in November 2025 with 2,000 Japanese adults with prior gambling experience. Results: End-of-session high-stakes betting was reported by a substantial proportion of gamblers, indicating that this behavior is not confined to a small or exceptional subgroup. Importantly, its prevalence increased markedly with gambling disorder severity. The most strongly endorsed motivation was the desire to make a comeback and offset accumulated losses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that end-of-session high-stakes betting is a common behavioral pattern that becomes increasingly pronounced as gambling problems intensify. Although this behavior can be conceptually distinguished from traditional loss chasing by its temporal framing, substantial overlap in underlying motivational processes was observed.