Perceived Social Impacts of Legalized Betting: The Case of Famagusta, TRNC

ABSTRACT: Over time, the features of gaming in TRNC has been altering, influenced mostly by the establishment of the gaming, but in addition to the growing accessibility of other types of gaming like widespread sport-betting and online betting. Even as there is mounting attention on the perceived social impacts of these new types of gaming on TRNC residents. The scale of betting have been on the rise after betting in Turkey was banned in 1997 and Turkish betting operators moved their activities over to northern Cyprus, which, as a result have made TRNC ‘oversea betting reserve for Turkey and the Middle Easterners, from 2003, for Greek Cypriot bettors, recently allowed to go over to the north. Betting-related issues can be perceived to have both social cost and benefit to bettors, the family and the entire society. Betting problems can result from detrimental effects of individuals betting habit. This researched was carried out using quantitative research procedure facilitated with the help of structure questionnaires given to respondent in different betting offices. It was observed that legalized betting is of benefit to both the bettors and the city. This study used the term problem betting extensively as a means to describe the variety of problems caused by pathological betting. The investigation covered several areas relating to betting expansion, cost and benefit of betting, emerging trends, the scale of betting and the motivation for betting. Sport betting in the city is a male dominated activity performed mostly by youths. Despites the low scale of pathological betting, this study reveals that other forms of betting problem persists. The involvement of all stakeholders in the betting process will ensure problem free betting. Keyword: Gaming, betting, perceived social impacts, accessibility, betting-related, social cost and benefits, betting problems, pathological betting, stakeholders. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………