Examining the impact of league entry fees on online fantasy sport participation and league consumption

Abstract

After American legislators explicitly exempted fantasy sports from online gambling laws, legal theorists have debated whether or not playing fantasy sports for money warranted such an exemption. However, there is currently no survey-based research which has examined the relationship between gambling and the attitudes and behaviours of fantasy players. The current study surveyed 253 fantasy participants and separated respondents into groups based on whether or not they play fantasy baseball for money. Results indicate that those who play for money are increasingly motivated by the social benefits associated with participation and are not motivated by the opportunity to win money. This finding runs counter to research on traditional forms of gambling, which often reports strong anti-social tendencies associated with increased gambling along with a strong motivation for financial gain. Further, from the league and team perspective, those who play fantasy baseball for money actually exhibited higher levels of team-related consumption.

Keywords:

• fantasy sports
• gambling
• consumer behavior
• internet gambling

Notes

1. All monetary references in this paper refer to the United States' dollar.