AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SPORTS BETTING ON THE BEHAVIOR OF UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Humans have been involved in gambling for a very long time. Over the past 20 years, this social phenomena has experienced an unheard-of surge in sophistication (Omanchi and Okpamen 2017). In recent times, the culture of betting has been presented as legal, accessible and widely supported; hence the new wave of participation in gambling cuts across all age groups and gender.

These patterns of growth are evident in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria (Ssewanyana, Derrick and Bitanihirwe 2018).

Betting is a cross-cultural and global activity which typically involves the wagering of money or an item of monetary value on an outcome that is governed by chance. According to Binde (2015), betting in a form of gambling is an established practice of staking money or other valuables on games or events of an uncertain outcome. It is often presented as providing social and economic benefits and the growing access to gambling has increased youths awareness of gambling opportunities (Monaghan and Derevensky 2018).

Beyond that, Liza (2017), highlighted that if bettors prediction proves correct, they receive a payout based on the odds and the amount of their initial wager. However, sports betting can encompass a wide range of sports, including football (soccer), basketball, baseball, horse racing, and many others. Despite numerous studies, gambling behavior among university students remains a phenomenon that requires attention (Olason et al., 2015).

Sports bettors, their families, and communities can experience severe physical and social repercussions due to sports betting. The consequences linked to gambling-related harm have now reached a level comparable to the adverse effects of alcohol abuse and major depression. This shift in perspective is significant, as academic research has historically concentrated on the harms associated with problem or pathological gambling. Recent research suggests that harm stemming from sports betting can also manifest in individuals who engage in low or moderate levels of gambling.

On the other hand, betting involves participating in games of chance for a stake (Elliot, 2018). It is a practice where individuals risk money or something of monetary value in the hope of winning money or a prize. Particularly, sports betting has become a widely embraced form of global entertainment (Maloba, 2018). Additionally, scholars and experts estimate that the entire sports betting market is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, showing no signs of slowing growth.

The puzzle of understanding betting behavior remains an increasing concern, with no comprehensive resolution to date (Lee, Chung & Bernhard, 2016). Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to investigate on the influence of sport betting on Nigerian youth.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The number of youths who gamble in different ways is rising every day. In the current regime, it is rare to discover any groups of young people who are not ruminating or engaging in gambling activities, and this may be due to personality differences. Also, financial strain experienced by youths could be a determining factor that precipitates gambling behaviours among youth. This could be as a result of unemployment, bad governance, economy recession and lots other factors. However, in order to survive, many youths see betting as a means to end. Betting behaviour often results in behavioural, emotional, relationship, or financial problems which may develop into a diagnosable condition known as problem or pathological gambling if not properly handled. Additionally, high availability and easy accessibility of various patterns of gambling render many undergraduates vulnerable to betting. Consequently, as a result of onset and continued gambling, many students experience bankruptcy, poor academic performance, broken homes, substance use abuse, depression, maladjustment, frustration among others. It is in this light that the study seeks to assess on impact of sports betting on the behavior of undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is on an assessment on impact of sports betting on the behavior of undergraduate university students in Nigeria. Specifically, the study will;

1. Determine the prevalence of sports betting among undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

2. Establish the motivation of sports betting among undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

3. Ascertain the influence of sports betting on the undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1. What is the prevalence rate of sports betting among undergraduate university students in Nigeria?

2. What motivates undergraduate university students in Nigeria to engage in sports betting activities?

3. How does sports betting influence the behavior and decision-making of undergraduate university students in Nigeria?

1.5 Significant of the Study

An assessment of impact of sports betting on the behavior of undergraduate university students in Nigeria will be revealed to the government at various levels, policy makers, parents and guardians, stakeholders, psychologists, media houses, sport bets owners, and youths in this study. It will additionally help psychologists to plan conferences and seminars about how sports betting online affects young people's behaviour and overall health.

Furthermore, it will enlighten parents and guardians on the significance of continued parenting on youths. Also, it will be useful to policy makers in formulation of appropriate policies to curb the indiscriminate establishment of online sports betting centres in the country.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an assessment of impact of sports betting on the behavior of undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on an assessment of impact of sports betting on the behavior of undergraduate university students in Nigeria. Theoretically, this study will determine the prevalence of sports betting among undergraduate university students in Nigeria, establish the motivation of sports betting among undergraduate university students in Nigeria and ascertain the influence of sports betting on the undergraduate university students in Nigeria.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to undergraduates of University of Benin .

1.7 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Betting: an activity that involves any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends on chance .

Students: a person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education.

Behaviour: the way in which a student behaves in response to a particular situation or stimulus.

Undergraduate:a student who is studying for their first degree at a college or university

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