- Rice University researched crimes following sporting events linked back to sports betting.
- There is a 30-70% increase in crime from the start of a game until four hours after a game finishes.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A new study out of the University of Michigan and Rice University is linking sports betting to an increase in violent crimes. Hua Gong (Rice), assistant professor of sport analytics, and Wenche Wang (Michigan), assistant professor of sport management, are the two responsible for the study.
The study between the two universities shows that since the repeal of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 2018, that a spike in major crimes immediately following major sporting events. They also state that legal sports betting could play a role in this.
“There is a sizable increase in crime on game days associated with sports betting, both in states that legalized sports betting and in bordering areas of neighboring states where sports betting remains illegal,” said Wang.
“Sports gambling is exciting for fans and financially attractive for states, but our findings show it can also lead to more crime,” Gong said. “When people lose their bets or go through very stressful game moments, that emotional volatility can translate into aggressive behavior.”
Research Statistics
They based their studies on pre- and post-COVID-19 crime statistics.
Within those statistics, they found a major 30-70% increase in crime beginning at the start of a major sporting event, up to four hours after the event came to an end. Assaults specifically reach a massive 93% increase after “unexpected home team outcomes.” There is also an increase in crimes in several neighboring states that do not have their own regulated betting market.
“Even neighboring states that do not allow betting see more crime on game days, likely because people travel to place bets and then return home,” said Gong.
