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Open Access 01-03-2020 | Original Paper

A Content Analysis of Gambling Operators’ Twitter Accounts at the Start of the English Premier League Football Season

Authors: Elizabeth A. Killick, Mark D. Griffiths

Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

The use of social media is now an established strategy to engage and maintain customer loyalty. The purpose of the present study was to examine the Twitter accounts of ten of the largest online sports betting operators in the UK to determine what marketing strategies were employed. More specifically, this study analyzed 3375 tweets posted by the operators during the opening weekend of the 2018–2019 English Premier League football season using a content analysis methodology. The results demonstrated that multiple strategies, including hashtags, were used to link gambling operator tweets with major sporting events, and the use of numerous promotional campaigns. Notably, over 90% of the tweets contained no responsible gambling information. The quantity and content of social media posts underline the need for a review of the current advertising regulations in the UK. Further research should examine how exposure to sports betting social media marketing influences gambling behavior.

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Title: A Content Analysis of Gambling Operators’ Twitter Accounts at the Start of the English Premier League Football Season
Authors: Elizabeth A. Killick
Mark D. Griffiths
Publication date: 01-03-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Gambling Studies / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09879-4

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