Daily Fantasy Sports Players: Gambling, Addiction, and Mental Health Problems

Abstract

Studies point to a relationship between fantasy sports/daily fantasy sports (DFS) play and gambling behavior. However, little is known about the nature of those relationships, particularly regarding the development of gambling problems. This study investigates the nature, frequency, and preferences of gambling behavior as well as problem gambling severity and comorbid conditions among DFS players. Data were collected from an epidemiologic survey of 3634 New Jersey residents on gambling and leisure activities. Participants were contacted by phone (land-line and cell) and online to obtain a representative, cross-sectional sample of non-institutionalized adults, aged 18 years or older. Excluding non-gamblers, the remaining 2146 participants, included in these analyses, indicated they had either played DFS (n = 299) or had gambled but not played DFS (1847) in the past year. Univariate comparisons and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the most significant characteristics and predictors of DFS players. Overall, a higher number of gambling activities, high frequency gambling, male gender, and reports of suicidal thoughts in the past year were most predictive of DFS players. Being Hispanic (vs. Caucasian) and/or single (vs. married or living with a partner) also doubled the odds of DFS play. Findings suggest that DFS players are characterized by high gambling frequency and problem severity and comorbid problems, notably suicidal ideation. Future research should examine the motivations and possible etiological sub-types of DFS players and the nature and course of DFS play, particularly in relation to gambling behavior and the development of gambling and other problems.

A Literature Review and Gap Analysis of Emerging Technologies and New Trends in Gambling

“…Fantasy sports is a newly emerging trend in sports betting in the online context, particularly in Canada and the United States where participation in Fantasy Sports leagues is reportedly gaining momentum. Fantasy sports are "an online ancillary to traditional sports media, which allow fans to assume the role of team manager/owner by assembling a virtual line-up of real-world athletes from professional and non-professional sports competitions" [46] (p. 728). Studies into fantasy sports have a range of foci, including characteristics of participants [47], prevalence [48], gambling behaviour [46,49] and problem gambling [49,50].…”

Behavioral Markers of Risky Daily Fantasy Sports Play

“…Because players construct their lineups before the underlying games begin, there is a level of uncertainty as to which players will win prizes. Functional similarities between DFS and gambling have led to concerns that paid DFS play might be related to problematic gambling behaviors, an association that is gathering empirical support (Martin et al, 2016(Martin et al, , 2018Nower et al, 2018). However, at present we know little about identifying DFS players who might be at risk for problematic outcomes related to their DFS play in particular.…”

Spanish validation of the Problem Gambling Severity Index: A confirmatory factor analysis with sports bettors

“…Therefore, it complements development of DSM gambling disorder criteria without being outdated. The PGSI has adapted well to Internet-based gambling activities, as well as newer gambling forms like fantasy gaming (Nower, Caler, Pickering, & Blaszczynski, 2018) and online sports betting (Lopez-Gonzalez, Estévez, & Griffiths, 2018).…”