Patterns of Gambling Behavior Influenced By Materialism, Financial Well-Being, and Monetary Motivation Among Sports Bettors: A Latent Profile Analysis

Su Topbaş Z., UZDİL N.

Journal of Gambling Studies, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10899-025-10443-6
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Gambling Studies
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Sport betting, Materialism, Financial well-being, Gambling motives, Latent profile analysis
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This research examines the role of material values, financial well-being, and monetary motivation in shaping gambling behavior in young male sports bettors in Türkiye. A total of 562 participants aged 18–35 were surveyed using validated scales measuring materialism, financial well-being, gambling motives, and sports betting severity. Through latent profile analysis, four distinct profiles were identified: Stability-Oriented Participants, Instability-Driven Risk Takers, Financially Content–Low-Risk Bettors, and Financially Pressured–Materialistic Bettors. ANCOVA results indicated a significant difference in the severity of sports betting across profiles (η² = 0.35), with the most problematic behavior occurring in those with high materialism, low financial well-being, and strong monetary motives. The results were interpreted through the lenses of Contingent Self-Worth Theory, Prospect Theory, and Self-Regulation Theory, and situated within Türkiye’s socioeconomic context. This person-centered study makes unique contributions by revealing psychological and structural patterns underlying gambling behavior and offering practical applications for clinical, educational, and policy-level interventions.