From Clicks to Bets: How Social Media Engagement Influences Gambling Severity-Cross-Sectional Research

The evolving gambling environment, marked by increased accessibility and innovative promotions, has led to rising expenditures globally. Despite this, the relationship between social media use and problem gambling in the Czech Republic remains underexplored. To investigate the association between social media use and problem gambling severity among Czech adults using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Is there a difference in gambling severity based on demographic characteristics? (1); Is there a relationship between social media news consumption and gambling severity? (2); Is there a connection between negative motives for social media use and problematic usage? (3); Is there a link between problematic social media use and gambling severity? (4). Primary research, designed as a cross-sectional study, was conducted in the Czech Republic in November 2024 on a sample of 3093 respondents (48.4% male). All participants were aged 16 years or older. The sample was selected using quota sampling based on multiple identifying quota variables, with minimal differences in the proportions of quota indicators compared to the general population. Non-parametric tests and ordinal logistic regression analyzed relationships between demographics, social media use, and PGSI scores. Higher PGSI scores were found among males, younger participants, those with lower education, and the unemployed or students. Greater social media news consumption correlated with increased gambling severity. Disruptive social media behaviors, such as waking up to check notifications and interrupting activities, were significantly associated with higher PGSI scores. Problematic social media use involving deceit and family conflict substantially heightened the risk of severe gambling problems. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention initiatives, regulatory policies, and enhanced digital literacy to safeguard vulnerable groups from the risks posed by digital gambling platforms. Addressing both gambling behaviors and problematic social media use is crucial in mitigating potential harms.