Beliefs about the Consequences of the Establishment of Betting Terminals on Attendance and the Promotion of Youth's Gambling

Abstract

The increase in the number of betting terminals over the years has attracted many people to watch matches and stake odds. Since live matches have been found to provide more money for betting companies, betting companies are providing more options for people to stake live bets by establishing many terminals. Sports fans have also taken the opportunity to watch free live matches in the betting terminals. The current study examined the reasons why football fans prefer watching live matches in betting terminals instead of at the stadia. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) the views of six football fans (bettors) were examined in betting terminals. Findings revealed that fans are attracted to watch matches at betting terminals based on cost-effectiveness and financial benefits, socialisation/atmosphere, watching many matches at the same time, and proximity (nearness of betting terminals to their homes). While the respondents foresaw the establishment of betting terminals as a threat to promote gambling among the youths they don’t support the ban on the establishment of betting terminals as they see it as an avenue to generate extra revenue. Suggestions and discussions for the future can be found in the appropriate section in this paper.