Bowling Green State University to Conduct Sports Wagering Study

$401,930 grant funded through International Center for Responsible Gaming and industry stakeholders will study problem gambling.
Bowling Green State University to Conduct Sports Wagering Study
By
November 18, 2021

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) announced that their Sports Wagering Research Fund has awarded $401,930 to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in neighboring Ohio, whose researchers will be tasked with creating a nationwide survey on the prevalence of sports betting and problematic sports betting behaviors.

The three-year grant is supported by several gaming industry stakeholders, including DraftKings, the American Gaming Association (AGA), MGM Resorts International, William Hill US, NASCAR, Entain, the PGA, IGT and Hard Rock International.

The partners have pledged to share their knowledge on the sports betting industry as well as to finance various projects of the Sports Wagering Research Fund. The grant to BGSU is expected to be just the first step in a joint venture to reduce the impact of problem gambling.

The ICRG, formerly known as the National Center for Responsible Gambling, allowed applicants from the entire world to apply for the grant, which was eventually given out to the team at BGSU. The survey they will conduct aims to:

  • Establish how prevalent sports betting is among American adults;
  • Find potential risk factors for problematic sports betting behaviors;
  • Find out how new technology is impacting the sports betting sector; and
  • Establish the natural trajectories of sports betting in the future.

“This research project seeks to study the rapidly changing face of sports betting in the United States, with a focus on understanding what factors might lead some people to develop problematic play, whereas other people are able to wager without problems,” said Principal Investigator Joshua Grubbs. “Our hope is that this work can better inform efforts to promote responsible play and prevent the potential harms that problem gaming can cause.”

The Sports Wagering Research Fund is the first of its kind in the US and its mission is to directly look into the causes and means of prevention of problem gambling, as well as the understanding and application of responsible gaming throughout the industry.

After conducted a peer review, the ICRG’s Independent Scientific Advisory Board concluded that BGSU’s survey proposal was the best candidate for the first grant.

Participation by DraftKings

One of the leading sports betting and casino operators in the US and one of ICRG’s partners, DraftKings announced in a press release that they had contributed to the grant in question, as part of their continuing effort to promote responsible gambling.

The Boston-based operator did not disclose how much they contributed to the $401,930 grant.

DraftKings has recently pushed their responsible gaming agenda quite strongly through their S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, and continues to focus on protecting their customers through technology, education and research.

DraftKings is a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and has partnered with the likes of the ICRG and Cambridge Health Alliance to support relevant research into the field of responsible gambling.

On top of research and education, DraftKings also provides its players with a robust set of concrete measures to help them cope with problem gambling such as betting limits, cool-off periods and self-exclusion, all part of their overall effort to create a healthy gambling ecosystem that puts customers first.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500

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