Gambling Advertising

This book critically examines research evidence from around the world concerning the nature and effects of gambling advertising. It draws upon political and regulatory debates about this type of advertising, which provides regulators with evidence to control factors that encourage problem gambling.

This volume contains an Open Access chapter. Establishing a scholarly platform to inform interventions in research and policymaking, this book demonstrates the importance of sociology in understanding sports gambling in a global age.

Guest Topic Editor Marie Grall-Bronnec has declared that the University Hospital of Nantes has received funding from the gambling industry (FDJ and PMU) in the form of a philanthropic sponsorship (donations that do not assign purpose of use). All other Guest Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

High street betting shops and casinos alike are currently allowed a maximum of four B2 (FOBT) gaming machines, which allow stakes up to £100 and a £500 prize. Casinos, should instead be permitted to operate up to twenty B2-type gaming machines. Limiting the number of B2 machines in betting shops has encouraged them to cluster in some high streets in order to satisfy customer demand. Local Authorities should have the power to permit more than the four B2 machines per shop if they believe it will help with clustering. The Committee also recommends that any local authority be able to make the decision as to whether or not they want a casino. As a step towards this, existing 1968 Act Casino licences should be made portable, allowing operators to relocate to any local authority provided that they continue to be constrained by the need to obtain local authority approval, a premises licence and planning permission. The failure to set remote gambling taxation at a level at which online operators could remain within the UK has led to almost every online gambling operator moving offshore whilst most are still able to advertise and operate into the UK. The Committee further recommends the Gambling Commission should introduce a new licence fee structure which reduces the current anomaly where small, independent bookmakers pay much higher fees per shop than large chains. Particularly given the absence of a significant UK-regulated online sector or any Regional Casinos, the Gambling Commission remains an overly expensive, bureaucratic regulator.

With the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, regulated sports betting has exploded in the United States, with more than half the states adopting legalized sports betting and many more poised for business. As a result, career opportunities with sportsbook operators and venues; sport leagues, teams, and sponsors; and gaming regulatory agencies abound for today’s students. The arrival of The Business of Sports Betting introduces the first dedicated text—written by a team of academic faculty and internationally recognized experts in the field—covering every aspect of the sports betting industry. It begins with a historical overview of sports betting and key legislation that has led to legalized betting today. Included are the various types of wagers available to bettors, the sports in which betting can take place, and the industry’s major stakeholders. Next, readers will examine the multiple layers of sports betting regulations in the United States and the interplay between federal laws, state authorization, and tribal governance. Regulatory frameworks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are covered, as well as compliance focal points addressing anti–money laundering regulations, placement of wagers, and the Bank Secrecy Act. The book then warns of the negative aspects of the business, such as illegal sports betting, gambling scandals, and match fixing; the risks associated with illegal betting; and harm from problem gambling. To combat these risks, guidelines are presented for protecting against illegal gambling, minimizing potential harms, and ensuring integrity in sports betting. Next, students learn the how-tos of establishing, operating, and marketing a sportsbook. Traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are discussed in detail, including the many facility management considerations that come with operating and maintaining a physical venue. Students also learn about the various mobile sportsbooks available today (including websites, kiosks, and phone apps), how they operate, and their connection to and interaction with physical sportsbooks. In addition, the authors present marketing and advertising strategies for acquiring customers and forging relationships with teams, leagues, and sportsbooks. Special attention is given to the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering and its compliance considerations for sportsbook operators. Sports wagering is a data-driven business, and students will see how data are generated and transmitted to sportsbook operators. Managing and protecting that data is paramount to competitive advantage, and students will learn about intellectual property protections granted to sportsbook operators. Additionally, the book discusses the proliferation and potential positive and negative impacts of gamification and virtual currencies in sports betting. Chapters are punctuated with supplemental sidebars and case studies providing real-life examples of the positive and negative impacts of sports betting. The Business of Sports Betting offers a comprehensive introduction to the nuances of the sports betting industry, including the key players, regulatory environment, marketing and technology drivers, and business operations of a sportsbook.

In the digital era, users from around the world are constantly connected over a global network and they can connect, share, and collaborate like never before. To make the most of this new environment, researchers and software developers must understand the influence of the global network on users. Media Influence: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice is a comprehensive reference source for the latest scholarly material on the effect of media on cultures, individuals, and groups. Highlighting a range of pertinent topics such as social media, media ethics, and audience engagement, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for researchers, academics, professionals, students, and practitioners interested in media influence.