Psychiatry Investig.  2013 Dec;10(4):365-372.

Examining Antecedents and Consequences of Gambling Passion: The Case of Gambling on Horse Races

• Lee CK
• Back KJ
• Hodgins DC
• Lee TK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the antecedents and consequences of gambling passion using structural equation modeling to examine relationships among gambling motivation, passion, emotion, and behavioral intentions in the horse racing industry.
METHODS
An onsite survey was conducted with 447 patrons at a horseracing park in South Korea. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Gambling Passion Scale was valid and reliable, resulting in two sub-scales: obsessive passion (OP) and harmonious passion (HP).
RESULTS
Study results indicated that extrinsic motivation influenced OP whereas intrinsic motivation significantly affected HP. Furthermore, OP was correlated with negative emotion, whereas HP was related to positive emotion. Gamblers' satisfaction was found to be influenced positively by positive emotion and negatively by negative emotion. Finally, satisfaction appeared to affect gamblers' behavioral intentions.
CONCLUSION
Study results echoed the notion of distinct and separate gambling motivations and passions among horse racing gamblers. Furthermore, results identified specific areas to which horse racing operators or policy makers should pay special attention in developing effective marketing strategies to promote responsible gambling.

Keyword

Gambling passion; Motivation; Emotion; Satisfaction; Behavioral intentions; Horse racing gambling

MeSH Terms

Administrative Personnel
Continental Population Groups*
Gambling*
Horses*
Humans
Intention
Marketing
Motivation
Republic of Korea