Sport-Environment Determinants of Gambling Initiation and Escalation: A Systematic Review
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Ulster
Abstract
Organised sport is a huge part of life in the UK, impacting over 11 million lives- from children in schools to members of local clubs. It's a source of health benefits, social connection, and community spirit that brings people together. But it's also a space where gambling can sometimes feel like it's just a normal part of the game, often because of sponsorships, peer influences, and long-standing betting traditions. These factors can lead young people to view gambling as less of a risk at an earlier age. That’s especially important because research indicates that athletes tend to experience higher risks related to gambling than the general population. Even with this knowledge, many questions remain about what makes the sporting environment particularly challenging, and why gambling issues seem to grow more common in this setting.
Why does this matter?
Current research has some gaps in understanding how gambling affects young people in the long run, especially in sport. Policymakers aren’t quite sure if being introduced to gambling early through school sport or youth clubs influences habits later in life. These uncertainties are concerning, since we don’t know if early sport-related gambling might lead to addiction, financial issues, or mental health challenges as they grow older.
What's missing?
Most studies tend to focus on elite athletes and how they respond to surveys, but people who help shape club cultures, like coaches, volunteers, and officials, are often overlooked. This is important because club leaders set the tone and standards for everyone else, and their attitudes towards risk can sometimes unintentionally make gambling seem more acceptable. Another point to consider is that research mostly looks at young men and boys. We have less information about girls, ethnic minorities, disabled people, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Because of this, solutions may not fully address the different risks and experiences of everyone involved.
Mental health and gambling
We're continuing to explore how gambling and mental health are connected in sport. While connections between anxiety, depression, and gambling disorder come to light, there’s still a need to learn more about everyday people outside of the research’s current focus on elite sport, like those in grassroots, semi-professional, or student sport. Since harmful drinking and gambling together can raise health concerns, it's important to do more research. This will help support services provide better prevention and care, ensuring everyone's well-being.
Moving beyond awareness: Driving culture and change
Gambling has a long history with sport, but it is becoming increasingly interwoven through sponsorships and advertising, impacting daily routines, team rituals, and club traditions. While we have some data on how these influences impact fans, there's less understanding of the deep-rooted culture within the clubs themselves. This is really important because creating real, lasting change involves more than just awareness sessions. We require a genuine shift in culture.
What is needed?
Given that these knowledge gaps still exist, it's imperative to conduct a detailed review of the research. This review will bring together ideas about youth environments, marketing, and club culture to better understand how risks develop in sport and find the best ways to protect everyone involved. Policymakers need clear, evidence-based advice to help keep sport a safe and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and ages, and to ensure risks are well managed for the future.
Why does this matter?
Current research has some gaps in understanding how gambling affects young people in the long run, especially in sport. Policymakers aren’t quite sure if being introduced to gambling early through school sport or youth clubs influences habits later in life. These uncertainties are concerning, since we don’t know if early sport-related gambling might lead to addiction, financial issues, or mental health challenges as they grow older.
What's missing?
Most studies tend to focus on elite athletes and how they respond to surveys, but people who help shape club cultures, like coaches, volunteers, and officials, are often overlooked. This is important because club leaders set the tone and standards for everyone else, and their attitudes towards risk can sometimes unintentionally make gambling seem more acceptable. Another point to consider is that research mostly looks at young men and boys. We have less information about girls, ethnic minorities, disabled people, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Because of this, solutions may not fully address the different risks and experiences of everyone involved.
Mental health and gambling
We're continuing to explore how gambling and mental health are connected in sport. While connections between anxiety, depression, and gambling disorder come to light, there’s still a need to learn more about everyday people outside of the research’s current focus on elite sport, like those in grassroots, semi-professional, or student sport. Since harmful drinking and gambling together can raise health concerns, it's important to do more research. This will help support services provide better prevention and care, ensuring everyone's well-being.
Moving beyond awareness: Driving culture and change
Gambling has a long history with sport, but it is becoming increasingly interwoven through sponsorships and advertising, impacting daily routines, team rituals, and club traditions. While we have some data on how these influences impact fans, there's less understanding of the deep-rooted culture within the clubs themselves. This is really important because creating real, lasting change involves more than just awareness sessions. We require a genuine shift in culture.
What is needed?
Given that these knowledge gaps still exist, it's imperative to conduct a detailed review of the research. This review will bring together ideas about youth environments, marketing, and club culture to better understand how risks develop in sport and find the best ways to protect everyone involved. Policymakers need clear, evidence-based advice to help keep sport a safe and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and ages, and to ensure risks are well managed for the future.