Sports betting in Serbia- National survey on lifestyles in Serbia: substance abuse and gambling. (30th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Todorovic, J; Terzic-Supic, Z; Piperac, P; Divjak, J
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 30(2020)Supplement 5
• Publication Date: 2020-09-30
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Sports betting has been one of the gambling games which are strongly associated with problem gambling. The aim of our study was to examine the association of social (socio-demographic and socio-economic) and lifestyle characteristics of sports bettors in Serbia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was the secondary analysis of the data from the National Survey on lifestyles in Serbia: substance abuse and gambling, conducted during 2014. The questionnaire consisted of 158 items. The first part was on socio-demographic characteristics. The second was on lifestyle characteristics with Beverage Specific Quantity Frequency - BSQF Instrument developed during Standardized measurement of Alcohol-related troubles-SMART project, Kessler psychological distress scale, Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), use of illicit drugs, and prescription/ non-medical prescription drug use. The sports betting was assessed with yes/ no question: 'Have you played sports betting in the past 30 days?' Results: The 10% of participants reported sports betting in the past 30 days. The sports betting was associated with being male (OR:11.22, 95% CI: 7.62-16.53), aged 18-44 (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.78-3.07), living in urban areas (OR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.41-2.28), being single (OR: 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.72), having secondary education (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.98), being unemployed (OR: 2.71, 95% CI:1.35-5.45), employed (OR: 3.00, 95 % CI: 1.53-5.90), or student (OR: 3.86, 95% CI: 1.83-8.17), binge-drinking (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.39-2.71), non-medical prescription drug use (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.22-2.59) and low/ moderate (OR: 12.82, 95% CI: 8.50-19.33), and problem gambling (OR: 43.38, 95% CI: 11.75-160.11). Conclusions: The association of sports betting with risk behaviors among young males should be a concern for public health authorities. Key messages: The prevalence of the past 30 days betting in Serbia is 10%. Sports betting is associated with risk behaviors.