Research: TransUnion forecasts difficult future for online sports betting amid rising inflation
TransUnion has released the findings of its research into the impact of rising inflation on US sports bettors and the wider industry.
According to its research – taken across 2022 so far – once inflation hit 6%, the figures clearly indicated a sharp fall in gaming revenue directly following the decline of consumer liquidity. This is a trend mirrored across the gaming industry in the US as a whole.
However, online sports bettors seem to be well aware of the impact inflation is having, with 38% having saved more emergency savings in the past three months, compared with just 28% of the general population. That said, online sports bettors were also more likely to use available credit and retirement savings than the general population, while bettors also came out as less likely to be able to pay credit card bills.
While online sports bettors were also 54% more probable to earn higher levels of income than those who didn’t – defined as anything over $100,000 per year.
TransUnion’s Head of US Gaming, Declan Raines, commented on the report and its findings, saying: “At face value, most of the consumers engaging in mobile sports betting can likely afford to do so. At the same time, our findings demonstrate how important it is, especially during a time of economic uncertainty, that operators utilise comprehensive data to identify both resilient and distressed consumers.
“Doing so can help operators protect players and provide a safer experience to consumers engaged in regulated betting.”
As inflation shows few signs of abating soon, the impact on the gaming industry has started to become clearer, as many are choosing to save money for fear of the coming winter costs.
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