Researcher ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6692-630X
Graduation Year
2025
Date of Submission
11-2024
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
William Lincoln
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2024 Jasmine X Tan
Abstract
The legalization of online sports gambling has rapidly expanded access to gambling platforms, raising concerns about its potential impacts on gambling behavior and addiction. This study investigates whether early wins in online sports gambling predict sustained gambling engagement. Using longitudinal data from 46,339 subscribers to online gambling site bwin Entertainment, we analyzed the gambling activity of new sports bettors over 18 months. Gamblers were categorized based on early outcomes (losses, break-even, small wins, and big wins), and engagement was measured by total bets placed, total gambling days, total stakes after the first three days, and frequency of play. Interaction terms are included to explore whether the effects of early outcomes differ by gender or gambling experience. Users with moderate or high positive early results exhibit significantly higher engagement across all metrics, while prior gamblers tend to engage less overall, suggesting a dampened response to early wins. We also find that males are more susceptible to early wins.
Recommended Citation
Tan, Jasmine, "Beginner's Luck: The Impact of Early Wins on Long-Term Gambling Patterns" (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3721.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3721