Associations of self-regulation strategy use with in-play betting intensity and associated harms: An ecological momentary assessment study

Self-regulation strategies, such as limit setting, can be effective in reducing harms associated with gambling. However, limited research has examined their applicability to in-play sports betting. The current study therefore examined the utility of self-regulation strategies in reducing in-play betting intensity and associated harms. Adults engaging in-play betting (N = 77; Mage = 41.23 years, 71.43 % men) completed 14 days of ecological momentary assessment surveys in which they reported their in-play betting behaviours (number of bets placed, money spent), use of self-regulation strategies for in-play betting (setting monetary limits, setting time limits, stopping betting when no longer fun, taking frequent breaks), and in-play-betting-related harms. Multilevel models revealed that participants with a greater propensity to set monetary limits were overall less likely to experience financial, interpersonal, and health harms. In addition, participants were less likely to experience emotional/psychological harms following in-play betting occasions during which they set monetary limits (versus when they did not). In contrast, participants with a greater propensity to set time limits tended to spend more money on in-play bets, experienced more harms on average, and were overall more likely to experience financial and work/study harms. Results provide preliminary support for the utility of monetary limit setting, but not time limit setting, in reducing in-play-betting-related harms. Findings support the applicability of select self regulation strategies originally proposed for more traditional forms of gambling to in-play sports betting, and highlight a need for further research investigating whether other responsible gambling strategies may be effective in reducing in-play-betting-related harms.

Automated summary

This study examined the effectiveness of self-regulation strategies in reducing harms associated with in-play sports betting. The results showed that setting monetary limits was effective in reducing financial, interpersonal, and health harms. However, setting time limits was found to increase spending and overall harms. These findings support the applicability of select self-regulation strategies from traditional forms of gambling to in-play betting, and highlight the need for further research on responsible gambling strategies.