The Effect of Attitude towards Online Sports Betting on Students' Gambling Disorder with the Mediating Role of Perceived Risk

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Master’s student in Sports Management, Shahrud University of Technology, Shahrud, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Shahrud University of Technology, Shahrud, Iran.

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of attitude toward online sports betting on gambling disorder among university students and the mediating role of perceived risk. This applied, quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study focused on students engaged in online sports betting at Iranian state universities in regions 1, 8, and 9. A total of 314 students were selected through voluntary convenience sampling. Data were collected using the DSM-5-based Gambling Disorder Questionnaire, the Attitude Toward Online Sports Betting Scale, and the Perceived Risk Scale and were analyzed using variance-based partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS 3. Attitude positively predicted gambling disorder (β =0/744, p < 0/01) and negatively predicted perceived risk (β = −0/317, p < 0/001). Perceived risk negatively predicted gambling disorder (β = −0/133, p < 0/01). The indirect effect through perceived risk was positive and statistically significant (β = 0/042, p < 0/01), confirming a mediating role. However, the direct effect was substantially larger than the indirect effect, and the variance accounted for value of 5.34% indicated that mediation was limited. Thus, attitude was the dominant pathway associated with gambling disorder, whereas perceived risk played a smaller, complementary role. Prevention programs should prioritize correcting distorted and favorable beliefs about sports betting while strengthening awareness of its financial, academic, and psychological consequences.

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 June 2026
  • Revise Date: 02 October 2026
  • Accept Date: 23 October 2026

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