UNLV Preliminary Survey Finds 7 Percent of Colorado Sports Bettors Report Serious Problems
UNLV surveyed 500 Colorado residents and found 7% of sports bettors reported serious problems, 2% higher among women. Sports betting ranked second in participation at 17.4%. The study also captured 13.9% illegal online gambling and 7.3% prediction market activity plus heavy ad exposure during the World Cup final.
SCCG Take — The data signal higher problem gambling prevalence in legal sports betting states and support targeted funding for responsible gaming research as new products expand.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas have released interim findings from a survey of Colorado residents that show 7 per cent of sports bettors in Colorado who took part in a preliminary study reported serious gambling problems. The rate stood 2 per cent higher among women, though the study has not identified causes for the difference.
The survey reached 500 randomly selected residents, both gamblers and non-gamblers. It was led by Shane Kraus, a UNLV psychology professor. Overall, 4 per cent of those surveyed said they bet on sports.
Participation Rates Across Gambling Activities
Lottery play topped the list at 41.4 per cent. Sports betting followed at 17.4 per cent, ahead of slots and video poker at 16.2 per cent, casino table games at 11.6 per cent, and bingo at 11.4 per cent. 13.9 per cent of all participants reported gambling online, an activity illegal in Colorado. Separately, 7.3 per cent said they had bought prediction market contracts.
The study also reviewed advertising exposure tied to the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. 59.4 per cent of participants recalled seeing sportsbook advertising at least once in the week surrounding the match. 37.5 per cent watched some portion of the game itself, 35.1 per cent noticed promotional offers, and 7.3 per cent placed a real-money bet on the outcome. Promotions structured as $10 after a $50 bet or first-bet cashback were rated more likely to drive overspending than a 30 per cent profit boost offer.
Kraus and his team presented the interim results at the Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado’s annual conference. The project was funded by the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission through its Responsible Gaming Grant Program, as reported by Focus Gaming News.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
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