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Betting Decision Under Break-Streak Pattern: Evidence from Casino Gaming

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Abstract

Cognitive bias is prevalent among gamblers, especially those with gambling problems. Grounded in the heuristics theories, this study contributes to the literature by examining a cognitive bias triggered by the break streak pattern in the casino setting. We postulate that gamblers tend to bet on the latest outcome when there is a break-streak pattern. Moreover, three determinants of the betting decision under break-streak pattern, including the streak length of the alternative outcome, the frequency of the latest outcome, and gender, were identified and examined in this study. A non-participatory observational study was conducted among the Cussec gamblers in a casino in Macao. An analysis of 1229 bets confirms our postulation, particularly when the streak of the alternative outcome is long, the latest outcome is frequent, and the gamblers are females. The findings provide meaningful implications for casino management and public policymakers regarding the minimization of gambling harm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China

    Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong & Amy Siu Ian So

  2. School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 17 Science Museum Road, TST East, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Rob Law

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  1. Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong
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  2. Amy Siu Ian So
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Correspondence to Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong.

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Fong, L.H.N., So, A.S.I. & Law, R. Betting Decision Under Break-Streak Pattern: Evidence from Casino Gaming. J Gambl Stud 32, 171–185 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-015-9550-1

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