Research reveals links between increased sports gambling and heavy alcohol consumption

Updated Article:

Stepping into a casino's sports betting area, especially on a major event day, paints a familiar picture. People are betting, and many are sipping on booze. But there's a hidden danger lurking in this common sight.

Shane W. Kraus, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Psychology at UNLV and Director of the Behavioral Addictions Lab

You're probably wondering why this combination is dangerous. Well, it all boils down to dopamine, the brain's feel-good chemical. Both activities stimulate dopamine production.

"They both revolve around the same dopamine pathway," explains Kraus. "If you build a five-lane highway for alcohol, sports betting would be right there in the passenger seat."

In 2022, Kraus and his team surveyed over 4,300 U.S. adults. About 1,800 identify themselves as sports gamblers who wagered on games within the past year. The results were eye-opening.

Sports gamblers were 1.9 times more likely to binge drink - defined as consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women at a single time - compared to non-gamblers and those who didn't gamble on sports.

So, what's the big deal? Binge drinking and sports gambling, in small doses, seem like non-issues. But Kraus warns that they can become a problem when combined.

"If you have alcohol, if the highway is built... once you do one, you're doing the other," says Kraus. The goal is to help people avoid problematic drinking and gambling. "It's really hard to get off that highway. Once you tie them together, it's really tough to stop."

Kraus emphasizes that neither gambling nor drinking is inherently wrong. But combining the two can lead to problems. Bettors can avoid issues by gambling responsibly and setting limits. It's always smart to place wagers before indulging in alcohol.

The revolution in sports gambling, thanks to the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, has seen leagues actively promoting gambling through sponsorships or advertising. Leagues aren't shy about promoting beer either.

There may be a connection between league promotions of gambling and alcohol advertising, although Kraus isn't certain. He points out that the language used can sometimes be problematic, potentially enticing young men into risky decisions. However, the impact on older consumers remains unclear.

Kraus suggests that the advertising landscape should undergo some thoughtfulness. "We've eliminated a lot of ads for smoking," he notes. "Maybe there should be some thoughtfulness around ads, especially when it comes to promoting potentially harmful behaviors."

Enrichment Data:

Marketing Strategies: Both sports betting and alcohol advertising often employ powerful marketing strategies, increasing the likelihood of attracting new consumers and potentially leading to problematic behaviors.
Exposure and Normalization: Increased exposure to advertisements, coming from sports betting promotions and alcohol advertisements, normalizes these activities, potentially leading to greater engagement with them and their accompanying risks.
Consumer Behavior: Regulating exposure during events like the "whistle-to-whistle" ban in the UK can help reduce normalization and promote more responsible behavior.
Regulatory Measures: Regulatory measures, such as restrictions on betting ads during games, are being explored to protect consumers from potential harm.
Shane W. Kraus, Ph.D, suggests that the advertising landscape should be more thoughtful, particularly when it comes to promoting sports betting and alcohol, as the use of enticing language could lead young men to make risky decisions.
According to Kraus's research, sports gamblers are 1.9 times more likely to binge drink compared to non-gamblers and those who don't gamble on sports, emphasizing the potential dangers of combining these activities.
In the wake of the repeal of PASPA in 2018, sports leagues have become more active in promoting gambling and alcohol through sponsorships and advertisements, potentially contributing to the normalization and increased engagement with these activities.