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State of Play’s TL;DR
- A new study by West Virginia University will research loss chasing when gambling online.
- The study could help regulators and operators create better responsible gambling tools.
West Virginia University has started a three-year study into loss chasing and other risky betting behavior tied to online gambling. Backed by a nearly $300,000 Arnold Ventures grant, the project could help identify harmful play patterns and inform operator interventions.
West Virginia University researchers are launching a new look at one of online gambling’s most closely watched responsible gambling issues: why some players keep betting after losses.
The project is being led through WVU’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics and will run for three years.
WVU study focuses on risky betting behavior
Economics professor Brad Humphreys said the research will examine “what sort of irresponsible behavior gamblers in West Virginia might take,” adding that he has access to data that can help his team study those patterns.
The reporting centers on loss chasing, a behavior in which a bettor continues gambling in an effort to recover previous losses. Humphreys said online gambling has increased the relevance of that issue, noting that much of today’s wagering happens on digital platforms such as FanDuel and DraftKings.
In West Virginia, adults age 21 and older can play casino games online or place sports bets on mobile devices, giving researchers a live state market to study.
Findings could inform interventions
Humphreys said the goal is not only to understand risky behavior but also to make the findings usable.
“If I can identify those losses, the operators can design interventions.”
That makes the study notable beyond campus research. If researchers can isolate patterns linked to loss chasing, operators and regulators may have more evidence for when and how to step in with responsible gambling tools or messaging.
For players in West Virginia who think gambling may be becoming a problem, 1-800-GAMBLER is available 24/7.
Based on reporting by Alex Wilson for 12WBOY.
