Kerimu I. Joel
1
,
Tajudeen O. Ibraheem
2
,
Micheal G. Aina
3
,
Omolola J. Awosika
4
,
Happiness A. Elufidipe-Olumide
5
1
University of Ilorin, Department of Human Kinetics Education
2
University of Ilorin
3
University of Ilorin
4
Wesley University, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria
5
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Abstract
The burgeoning sports betting industry, fueled by advancements in blockchain technology, has raised concerns about the prevalence of gambling problems among university student-athletes, prompting this study to investigate the extent and nature of sports betting problems within this demographic
.
The study aims to
t
o investigate sports betting problems among university student-athletes. Data were collected from 118 student-athletes in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, aged between 16 and 40 years old, using the problem gambling severity index. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse demographic data and to answer research questions. The results of this study, among others, revealed that 55 student-athletes (46.6%) are non-problem sports bettors, while 15 student-athletes (12.7%) are problem sports bettors. Furthermore, 55.1% of the participants were males, while 44.9% of them were females. Also, more than one-third, 42.4% of the respondents were in 3rd and 4th year of study. Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that student-athletes experience sports betting problems, which comes with adverse consequences, therefore, it was recommended that the university management through its entrepreneur unit should create an appropriate enterprise to empower students financially.
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,
Tajudeen O. Ibraheem
2