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Risk aversion and favourite–longshot bias in a competitive fixed‐odds betting market

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  • Karl Whelan

Abstract

Research on sports betting has generally found a favourite–longshot bias: bets on longshots lose more than bets on favourites. Existing research focuses largely on pari‐mutuel betting, but favourite–longshot bias is also evident in fixed‐odds online betting markets of the type that are growing rapidly around the world. Explanations for this bias in previous work on pari‐mutuel markets cannot explain why it would be a feature of competitive fixed‐odds betting markets. We show how disagreement among gamblers and risk aversion on the part of bookmakers in a competitive market can produce a pattern of favourite–longshot bias resembling the empirical evidence.

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  • Karl Whelan, 2024. "Risk aversion and favourite–longshot bias in a competitive fixed‐odds betting market," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 91(361), pages 188-209, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:91:y:2024:i:361:p:188-209
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12500
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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