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Gender behavior in betting markets

Author

Listed:
  • Müller, Helge
  • Schumacher, Christoph
  • Feess, Eberhard

Abstract

We extend gender research on risk behavior to betting markets. Our data set consists of all 5,136,660 bets in New Zealand from 2006 to 2009 and allows assigning each bet to individ-ual bettors. Women are much more prone to the favorite-longshot bias and suffer higher losses. Usually, betting on longshots is associated with higher variance of return, but we find that bet sizes are disproportionally decreasing in odds. Hence, the average risk when betting on longshots is in fact lower. This observation reconciles our findings with gender research on risk preferences and leads to new insights on the favorite-longshot bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Müller, Helge & Schumacher, Christoph & Feess, Eberhard, 2011. "Gender behavior in betting markets," VfS Annual Conference 2011 (Frankfurt, Main): The Order of the World Economy - Lessons from the Crisis 48697, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc11:48697
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    behavioral economics; behavioral finance; gender research; betting markets;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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