The link between competitive sports and gambling behaviors among youths.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the association between physical activities and gambling, making a distinction between two characteristics of the former: intensity level and type (competitive/non-competitive).

METHOD: 316 adolescents from four high schools in Israel completed questionnaires.

RESULTS

For males, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated with gambling frequency and problem gambling. For females, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated only with gambling frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Both types of physical activity and gender are important when analyzing the association between gambling and sporting activities.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Youths involved in competitive sports are at greater risk for gambling involvement. (Am J Addict 2015;24:200-202).