Classification-Behavior Discordance and Problem Gambling: Differential Patterns for Fantasy Sports and Loot Boxes Among College Students.

Abstract

Fantasy sports and loot boxes share similarities with gambling yet remain largely unregulated as such, creating ambiguity in how individuals perceive and engage with these activities. While participation in both activities has been linked to problem gambling, whether individuals' classification of these activities as gambling is associated with differential risk has not been examined. This study introduces the concept of classification-behavior discordance, defined as the misalignment between how an individual classifies an activity and whether they participate in it. Using data from an online survey of 4,016 college students enrolled at public colleges and universities in Nevada, United States, we constructed four discordance groups for each activity based on the intersection of classification and participation: non-participants, aware participants, unaware participants, and non-participating classifiers. We conducted separate binary logistic regression models for fantasy sports and loot boxes to examine associations between discordance group membership and problem gambling. Results revealed divergent patterns across activities. For loot boxes, classifying the activity as gambling was associated with significantly elevated problem gambling risk among participants, whereas for fantasy sports, participating without classifying the activity as gambling was associated with significantly lower risk. These findings highlight the importance of considering individuals' subjective classification of gambling-like activities in problem gambling screening, prevention, and regulatory efforts.