Abstract
Adolescents can easily access esports betting sites and place bets using cash or skins. This descriptive cross-sectional study examined the characteristics of adolescent esports bettors and relationships between their esports betting, video gaming activities, monetary gambling participation, and at-risk/problem gambling. Two survey samples of Australians aged 12–17 years were recruited through advertisements (n = 841) and online panel providers (n = 826). In both samples, gender and parents’ living situation did not differ by past-month esports cash and skin betting, but recent esports betting was associated with engaging in esports gaming activities such as playing and watching esports, and in monetary gambling activities. Past-month esports betting using cash and skins was significantly associated with at-risk/ problem gambling. After controlling for recent monetary gambling, recent esports skin bettors were over 3 times more likely to meet criteria for at-risk/problem gambling. Esports betting using skins appears to pose risks for young people and is easily accessible through unlicensed operators.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | e0266571 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | PLoS One |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 May 2022 |
Keywords
- adolescent betting
- Esports betting
- cash in betting
- skins in betting
- monetary gambling
- problematic gambling
- betting sites
- unlicensed operators