Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Daily Grind: A Comparison of Causality Orientations, Emotions, and Fantasy Sport Participation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Gambling Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 2015, daily fantasy football entered the fantasy sports market as an offshoot of the traditional, season-long form of the game. With quicker payouts and less commitment, the new activity has drawn comparisons to other forms of illegal gambling, and the determination of whether it is a primarily a game of skill or chance has become the center of the comparison. For the most part, legal commentators and society, in general, views traditional, season-long fantasy football as an innocuous, social activity governed equally by both skill and chance. Little evidence exists, however, about participant perception of skill and chance components in daily fantasy football. The current study surveyed 535 daily and traditional-only fantasy football participants in order to understand differences and similarities in the causality orientations of participation (skill or chance). In addition, enjoyment and anxiety were tested for mediating effects on causality orientations and consumption behavior. The results suggest the differences between the activities are not extreme. However, differences were found in which causality orientations influenced enjoyment and which emotion mediated the relationship between perceived skill and consumption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Breen, R. B., & Zuckerman, M. (1999). ‘Chasing’ in gambling behavior: Personality and cognitive determinants. Personality and Individual Differences, 27, 1097–1111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broman-Fulks, J. J., Urbaniak, A., Bondy, C. L., & Toomey, K. J. (2014). Anxiety sensitivity and risk-taking behavior. Anxiety Stress and Coping, 27, 619–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. A. (2012). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casler, K., Bickel, L., & Hackett, E. (2013). Separate but equal? A comparison of participants and data gathered via Amazon’s MTurk, social media, and face-to-face behavioral testing. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 2156–2160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1992). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, S., Bloch, P. H., & Ridgway, N. (1990). Shopping motives, emotional states, and retail outcome. Journal of Retailing, 66, 408–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). The General Causality Orientations Scale: Self-determination in personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 19(2), 109–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (Eds.), (2002). An overview of self-determination theory: An organismic dialectical perspective. In Handbook of self-determination research (pp. 3–33). Rochester, New York: The University of Rochester Press.

  • Drayer, J., Shapiro, S. L., Dwyer, B., Morse, A. L., & White, J. (2010). The effects of fantasy football participation on NFL consumption: A qualitative analysis. Sport Management Review, 13, 129–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B. (2011a). Divided loyalty? An analysis of fantasy football involvement and fan loyalty to individual National Football League (NFL) teams. Journal of Sport Management, 25, 445–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B. (2011b). The impact of attitudes and fantasy football involvement on intentions to watch NFL teams on television. International Journal of Sport Communication, 4, 375–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B., & Kim, Y. (2011). For love or money: Developing and validating a motivational scale for fantasy football participation. Journal of Sport Management, 25, 70–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B., & LeCrom, C. W. (2013). Is fantasy trumping reality? The redefined National Football League experience of novice fantasy football participants. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 7(3), 119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B., Lupinek, J., & Achen, R. M. (2016). Fantasy v. reality: Exploring the BIRGing and CORFing behavior of fantasy football participants. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 26, 158–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer, B., Shapiro, S. L., & Drayer, J. (2013). Segmenting motivation: An analysis of fantasy baseball motives and mediated sport consumption. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 20, 129–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekkekakis, P., Hall, E. E., & Petruzzello, S. J. (1999). Measuring state anxiety in the context of acute exercise using the state anxiety inventory: An attempt to resolve the brouhaha. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 21(3), 205–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson, K., & Simpson, B. (2010). Emotional reactions to losing explain gender differences in entering a risky lottery. Judgment and Decision Making, 5, 159–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fantasy Sports Trade Association. (2016a). Industry demographics: Actionable insights and insightful data. Retrieved from http://fsta.org/research/industry-demographics/.

  • Fantasy Sports Trade Association. (2016b). Why fantasy sports is not gambling: Understanding a game of skill. Retrieved from http://fsta.org/research/why-fantasy-sports-is-not-gambling.

  • Farquhar, L. K., & Meeds, R. (2007). Types of fantasy sports users and their motivations. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12, 1208–1228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error: Algebra and statistics. Journal of Marketing Research, 18, 382–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2005). Self-determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational behavior, 26(4), 331–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouker, D. (2015). FanDuel studies: Seasonlong and daily fantasy sports players exhibit key differences. Legal Sports Report. Retrieved from http://www.legalsportsreport.com/370/fanduel-seasonlong-and-daily-fantasy-sports-players-differences/.

  • Graves, L. E., Ridgers, N. D., Williams, K., Stratton, G., & Atkinson, G. T. (2010). The physiological cost and enjoyment of Wii Fit in adolescents, young adults, and older adults. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 7, 393–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackfort, D., & Schwenkmezger, P. (1989). Measuring anxiety in sports: Perspectives and problems. In D. Hackfort & C. D. Speilberger (Eds.), Anxiety in sports: An international perspective (pp. 55–74). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, M. (2016). DFS strategy: Multi-lineup generation and player exposure. RotoGraphs. Retrieved from http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/dfs-strategy-multi-lineup-generation-and-player-exposure/.

  • Kendzierski, D., & DeCarlo, K. J. (1991). Physical activity enjoyment scale: Two validation studies. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 13(1), 50–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. Y., Shim, J. P., & Ahn, K. M. (2011). Social networking service: Motivation, pleasure, and behavioral intention to use. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 51(4), 92–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H. S., Wohl, M. J., Salmon, M. M., Gupta, R., & Derevensky, J. (2015). Do social casino gamers migrate to online gambling? An assessment of migration rate and potential predictors. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31, 1819–1831.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koestner, R., & Zuckerman, M. (1994). Causality orientations, failure, and achievement. Journal of Personality, 62(3), 321–346.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, W.-J., Kwak, D. H., Lim, C., Pederson, P. M., & Miloch, K. S. (2010). Effects of personality and gender on fantasy sports game participation: The moderating role of perceived knowledge. Journal of Gambling Studies, 27, 427–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesieur, H. R. (1979). The compulsive gambler’s spiral of options and involvement. Psychiatry, 42, 79–87.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leykin, Y., & DeRubeis, R. J. (2010). Decision-making styles and depressive symptomatology: Development of the Decision Styles Questionnaire. Judgment and Decision Making, 5, 506–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, K. M., & Auld, C. J. (2002). The role of leisure in determining quality of life: Issues of content and measurement. Social Indicators Research, 57, 43–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacCrimmon, K. R., & Wehrung, D. A. (1986). Assessing risk propensity. In L. Daboni, A. Montesano, & M. Lines (Eds.), Recent developments in the foundations of utility and risk theory (pp. 291–309). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

  • Martin, R. J., Nelson, S. E., & Gallucci, A. R. (2016). Game on: Past year gambling, gambling-related problems, and fantasy sports gambling among college athletes and non-athletes. Journal of Gambling Studies, 32, 567–579.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, R. A., Russo, A., Ramirez, L., & Taber, J. I. (1984). Affective disorders among pathological gamblers seeking treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry, 141, 215–218.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, G., von Meduna, M., Brosowski, T., & Hayer, T. (2013). Is poker a game of skill or chance? A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Gambling Studies, 29, 535–550.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, M., Gan, S., Dubelaar, C., & Oppewal, H. (2011). In-store music and aroma influences on shopper behavior and satisfaction. Journal of Business Research, 64, 558–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mowen, J. C., & Minor, M. (1998). Consumer behavior (5th ed.). London: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, G. C., Foreman, P. E., Simpson, C. A., Molloy, G. N., & Molloy, E. K. (1999). The development of a locus of control measure predictive of injured athletes’ adherence to treatment. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2, 145–152.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myrseth, H., Brunborg, G. S., & Eidem, M. (2010). Differences in cognitive distortions between pathological and non-pathological gamblers with preferences for chance or skill games. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26, 561–569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neighbors, C., Larimer, M. E., Markman Geisner, I., & Knee, C. R. (2004). Feeling controlled and drinking motives among college students: Contingent self-esteem as a mediator. Self and Identity, 3(3), 207–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbit, T. M., & King, K. A. (2010). The impact of fantasy sports on television viewership. Journal of Media Economics, 23, 24–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, L. M., Neighbors, C., Rinker, D. V., & Tackett, J. L. (2015). Motivational profiles of gambling behavior: Self-determination theory, gambling motives, and gambling behavior. Journal of Gambling Studies, 31, 1597–1615.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2006). Self-regulation and the problem of human autonomy: Does psychology need choice, self-determination, and will? Journal of Personality, 74, 1557–1586.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., Rigby, C. S., & Przybylski, A. (2006). The motivational pull of video games: A self-determination theory approach. Motivation and Emotion, 30, 344–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sitkin, S. B., & Weingart, L. R. (1995). Determinants of risky decision-making behavior: A test of the mediating role of risk perceptions and propensity. Academy of Management Journal, 38(6), 1573–1592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solberg, P. A., Halvari, H., & Ommundsen, Y. (2013). Linking exercise and causality orientations to change in well-being among older adults: Does change in motivational variables play a role? Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 43, 1259–1272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, J. M., Sinar, E. F., Balzer, W. K., & Smith, P. C. (2002). Issues and strategies for reducing the length of self-report scales. Personnel Psychology, 55, 167–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L. (2014). The fantasy football explosion. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/leighsteinberg/2014/08/29/the-fantasy-football-explosion/#bbb574b5458d.

  • Suri, S., & Watts, D. J. (2011). Cooperation and contagion in web-based, networked public goods experiments. PLoS ONE, 6(3), e16836.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Troy, D. (2014). Is fantasy football stressing you out? Advocate Health Care. Retrieved from http://www.ahchealthenews.com/2014/12/02/is-fantasy-football-stressing-you-out/.

  • Westbrook, R. A., & Black, W. C. (1985). A motivation-based shopper typology. Journal of Retailing, 61, 78–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wulfert, E., Roland, B., Hartley, J., Wang, N., & Franco, C. (2005). Heart rate arousal and excitement in gambling: Winners v. losers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 19, 311–329.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842003, Richmond, VA, 23284-2003, USA

    Brendan Dwyer

  2. University of Louisville, Room 104L – SAC E, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    James Weiner

Authors
  1. Brendan Dwyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James Weiner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brendan Dwyer.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Appendix

Appendix

figure a

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dwyer, B., Weiner, J. Daily Grind: A Comparison of Causality Orientations, Emotions, and Fantasy Sport Participation. J Gambl Stud 34, 1–20 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9684-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-017-9684-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation