Betting on success: Unveiling the role of local gambling culture in equity crowdfunding

This study explores how local gambling culture, as measured by state-level religious composition, influences equity crowdfunding success. Our research uncovers a positive relationship between local gambling culture and equity crowdfunding success, driven by the state's innovation propensity. We also shed light on the positive effect of local gambling culture on firms’ document amendment behaviors, influenced by state regulation restrictions. Further analyses indicate that firms’ ownership structure moderates the positive relationships between local gambling culture and both equity crowdfunding success and document amendment behaviors. Our study centers on equity crowdfunding, demonstrating the important role of local gambling culture in determining entrepreneurial fundraising outcomes.