Patterns of Gambling Behavior Influenced By Materialism, Financial Well-Being, and Monetary Motivation Among Sports Bettors: A Latent Profile Analysis

This research examines the role of material values, financial well-being, and monetary motivation in shaping gambling behavior in young male sports bettors in Türkiye. A total of 562 participants aged 18–35 were surveyed using validated scales measuring materialism, financial well-being, gambling motives, and sports betting severity. Through latent profile analysis, four distinct profiles were identified: Stability-Oriented Participants, Instability-Driven Risk Takers, Financially Content–Low-Risk Bettors, and Financially Pressured–Materialistic Bettors. ANCOVA results indicated a significant difference in the severity of sports betting across profiles (η² = 0.35), with the most problematic behavior occurring in those with high materialism, low financial well-being, and strong monetary motives. The results were interpreted through the lenses of Contingent Self-Worth Theory, Prospect Theory, and Self-Regulation Theory, and situated within Türkiye’s socioeconomic context. This person-centered study makes unique contributions by revealing psychological and structural patterns underlying gambling behavior and offering practical applications for clinical, educational, and policy-level interventions.