Social Media Tipsters Linked to Higher Gambling Risks as Adolescent Study Exposes the Danger of Betting Influencer Culture

New research from Spain reveals that following betting tipsters on social media increases gambling frequency and reduces risk perception in adolescents.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 27, 2026, 6:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

The Digital Amplifiers of Betting Culture

The rise of influencer culture has introduced a new risk factor for adolescent addiction through the emergence of social media "tipsters." These figures, who share betting predictions across messaging apps and specialized platforms, are no longer viewed by researchers as mere information providers. According to Prof Daniel Lloret Irles of Miguel Hernández University, tipsters act as primary amplifiers of a broader gambling culture, embedding betting messages within aspirational narratives. By promoting gambling as a routine and profitable activity, these influencers integrate high-risk behaviors into the everyday online experiences of young people, often blurring the lines between sports analysis and predatory marketing.

Quantifying the Impact of Active Engagement

To understand the depth of this influence, researchers analyzed data from 782 students with a mean age of nearly 16 years. The study categorized participants into three distinct groups based on their level of interaction with tipsters: those unaware of them, those aware but disinterested, and active followers. The results revealed a significant gradient in risk, as active followers consistently reported the highest levels of gambling intention and frequency. Interestingly, the difference in risk between those who were unaware and those who simply knew of tipsters was negligible. This suggests that the psychological "connection" to the content, rather than simple awareness, is the primary driver of increased vulnerability.

Distorting Reality Through Selective Success

The influence of tipsters operates by fundamentally altering an adolescent's cognitive perception of gambling. By highlighting successful bets while systematically downplaying or omitting losses, these influencers foster an "illusion of control." This cognitive bias leads teenagers to overestimate their ability to predict outcomes in games of chance. Additionally, constant exposure to tipster content creates a normative influence, reinforcing the false belief that gambling is a widespread, socially accepted, and even necessary path to financial gain. For many adolescents, this shift in perception happens long before they ever place their first real-world bet.