Background and aimsSports betting has increased markedly in recent years, in part due to legislative changes and the introduction of novel forms of sports betting (e.g., in-play betting). Some evidence suggests that in-play betting is more harmful than other types of sports betting (i.e., traditional and single-event). However, existing research on in-play sports betting has been limited in scope. To address this gap, the present study examined the extent to which demographic, psychological, and gambling-related constructs (e.g., harms) are endorsed by in-play sports bettors relative to single-event and traditional sports bettors.MethodsSports bettors (N = 920) aged 18+ from Ontario, Canada completed an online survey containing self-report measures of demographic, psychological, and gambling-related variables. Participants were classified as either in-play (n = 223), single-event (n = 533), or traditional bettors (n = 164) based on their sports betting engagement.ResultsIn-play sports bettors reported higher problem gambling severity, endorsed greater gambling-related harms across several domains, and reported greater mental health and substance use difficulties compared to single-event and traditional sports bettors. There were generally no differences between single-event and traditional sports bettors.DiscussionResults provide empirical support for the potential harms associated with in-play sports betting and inform our understanding of who may be at risk for increased harms associated with in-play betting.ConclusionsFindings may be important for the development of public health and responsible gambling initiatives to reduce the potential harms of in-play betting, particularly as many jurisdictions globally move towards legalization of sports betting.

Objective: In-play betting is a novel form of sports betting that allows players to make continuous bets during a game. The present study examined the dispositional and contextual correlates of in-play sports betting and related harms. Method: Participants were 84 individuals (73.81% men, M age = 41.02) who engaged in in-play betting. Participants first completed an online questionnaire including measures of problem gambling severity, childhood trauma, impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation. Participants then completed a 14-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study involving completing brief surveys twice per day. EMA surveys assessed in-play betting behaviors, motives, contexts, and harms. Results: A total of 1,365 EMA surveys were completed, of which 32.89% involved placing at least one in-play bet. A total of 77 (91.67%) participants placed at least one in-play bet during the study period. Participants reported greater in-play betting involvement (the number of bets placed, money spent) and an increased likelihood of experiencing in-play betting-related financial and relationship harms when using substances while betting and when motivated to place in-play bets by an interest in sports or to "be in the game." Participants, who used substances during a greater proportion of in-play betting occasions, who more frequently endorsed coping motives for in-play betting, and who exhibited elevated problem gambling severity, reported greater in-play betting involvement and the likelihood of experiencing in-play betting-related harms overall. Conclusions: Responsible gambling initiatives targeting contextual risk factors, such as using alcohol and cannabis while in-play betting, may help to reduce the intensity of in-play betting and its associated harms. Public Health Significance StatementThe present study found that both dispositional factors, such as childhood trauma, impulsivity, and problem gambling severity, as well as contextual factors, such as simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use and social influences (e.g., friends betting), were associated with in-play betting intensity and associated harms. Although dispositional factors may be resistant to change, it may be possible to modify contextual factors, for example abstaining from alcohol and cannabis use while placing in-play bets, to reduce the harms associated with in-play betting.

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An estimated 2.7 billion adults globally play video games, and this population continues to grow (Accenture, 2021). Although representing a harmless pastime for most, formal diagnoses indicating excessive or harmful video gaming are estimated among 1.96 to 3.05% of adolescents and adults globally (Stevens et al., 2021). Consequently, there is a need for reliable and valid measurement of problem video gaming (herein referred to as "problem gaming"). In their paper, Anthony et al. ( 2023) provide a comprehensive review of the psychometric properties of measures of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), developed based on diagnostic criteria outlined in Section 3 of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The authors identified 22 measures of problem gaming which, despite all operationalizing the same DSM-5 criteria, displayed marked heterogeneity in the criteria included, elements of criteria emphasized, and wording of items. Hyoun S. Kim https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0804-0256 The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Sophie G. Coelho served as lead for writing-original draft and served in a supporting role for conceptualization. Jenna L. Vieira served in a supporting role for conceptualization and writing-original draft. Matthew T. Keough contributed equally to conceptualization and served in a supporting role for writing-review and editing. Hyoun S. Kim contributed equally to conceptualization and served in a supporting role for writingreview and editing.