Culture of Fantasy Sports: An Insider View of Addictive Behavior in Fantasy Sports

Abstract

The current study explores how fantasy sports gambling activity and fantasy sports technology use (e.g., fantasy sports smart-phone applications, fantasy sports websites, etc.) contributes to addictive fantasy sports behavior and an addictive fantasy sports culture. A video documentary consisting of confidential, silhouette lighted and voice-altered interviews with fantasy sports users, along with on-camera interviews with addiction professionals, as well as various video footage of fantasy sports behavior illustrates the presence of addictive fantasy sports behavior that requires more attention. The purpose of the video documentary project is two-fold: First, the documentary assesses the claim that fantasy sports users’ addiction to fantasy sports is a common result of fantasy sports gambling, commonly found in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), but is also present in Traditional Fantasy Sports (TFS). Secondly, the documentary investigates how fantasy sports users’ interaction with fantasy sports technology contributes to a culture of fantasy sports addiction.