How Cold Weather Affects Gambling and Risk Behavior

True enough, when we think of cold weather, we often imagine cozy nights by the fire, hot drinks, and bundling up in layers. However, cold temperatures can also have a surprising impact on industries beyond just energy consumption and transportation – and one of them is the betting and gambling sector. Whether it's through online betting from the warmth of your home or on-site casino gambling in brick-and-mortar establishments, the weather in winter has an influence on player behavior and casino operations – and, more importantly, on betting odds. But how exactly does cold weather affect both online and on-site gambling, and are these effects the same? It’s an interesting study, don’t you think so? It’s great to know these insights, because it can also have an impact on your own behavior as either a casual gambler or one who is seriously into betting. So what is there to know in the relationship between gambling and cold weather? Let’s dive into the lesser-known consequences of winter on the betting world.

Online betting in winter infographic image

The psychological impact of cold weather on players

Have you ever experienced a bitterly cold winter? If you have, then you are just one of the millions experiencing ever colder temperatures in this day and age. Even states like New Jersey faced a harsher winter than most this cold season of 2024, and more states are slated to encounter colder weather as the years pass – all thanks to the effects of global warming. But among its many effects, one thing’s for sure: cold weather can trigger various psychological and behavioral changes that directly affect how people bet. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that seasonal shifts can influence mood, decision-making, and even risk appetite. Let’s dive deeper, shall we?

Increased online betting during winter

When temperatures drop, it makes sense that people are more likely to stay indoors. This, in turn, has a direct impact on online betting, as players shift from visiting physical casinos to engaging in digital platforms from the comfort of their homes. Who wants to venture outside on a cold, windy night anyway, right?
But wait – there’s more. The convenience of mobile betting apps and online casinos becomes even more attractive during colder months, leading to increased online activity. Think about it – there’s only so much you can do indoors during the colder months. So rather than risk suffering from cabin fever, people tend to seek activities that will reward them – and the number one activity that has a high risk of reward (both literally and figuratively) is betting or gambling.
Another reason for the increase in betting in the winter is seasonal depression and the lack of outdoor activities. These may also drive some bettors to seek entertainment online, resulting in higher engagement rates on betting platforms.

Risk-taking behavior in cold conditions

There’s also more evidence that people exhibit riskier behavior when they experience cold weather rather than warm weather. In other words, research indicates that people tend to make riskier decisions when they feel cold! This is not a fluke – it can be linked to an evolutionary response where the body seeks to counterbalance discomfort with excitement or perceived rewards.
In the context of betting or gambling, this means that players may place even larger wagers or take more risks on long-shot bets during the winter months.
Casinos and betting operators such as sportsbooks often capitalize on this by offering enticing promotions and bonus offers during colder seasons. If you’ve ever noticed that online casinos and betting sites seem to offer more deals and promotions during the winter, it isn’t just about the season of giving or Christmas per se – it’s because more people tend to take larger risks when they are cold!

Pros and cons gambling in winter image

How cold weather affects on-site casino gambling

While online betting sees an increase during cold weather, their effects on land-based casinos are more nuanced. It’s not as clear as online casinos – and to add to this, brick-and-mortar casinos experience a mix of both benefits and challenges when temperatures drop. Here’s how:

Decrease in foot traffic

Harsh weather conditions, including snowstorms and icy roads, can make it difficult for people to visit casinos.
Many players prefer to avoid traveling in freezing temperatures, opting instead for digital alternatives.
This can lead to a temporary decline in on-site casino revenue, especially in regions where winter conditions are severe. Simply put, why venture out when the temperature is too cold or it’s too dangerous? Most of us would rather stay indoors, where it’s comfortable and where we are in control of the climate.

Online vs on site gambling in winter info image

Higher spending among those who visit

But despite lower foot traffic in on-site casinos, what’s fascinating is that those who do make the trip to casinos during cold weather tend to stay longer - and it follows as well that they also spend more.
With fewer entertainment options outdoors, especially at night, visitors are more likely to extend their stay, as they indulge in various gambling activities, drink and dine, watch shows and concerts, and even book hotel accommodations within casino resorts.
Casinos, on the other hand, counteract weather-related slowdowns by hosting winter-themed events, special promotions, and indoor attractions to keep their patrons engaged. If you think about it, it’s a win-win situation for all concerned. The players stay warm and cozy indoors while they play or bet and entertain themselves, and the casinos can make more profit by offering more options for dining, entertainment, and accommodations.

Impact on casino workers

On the other end of the spectrum, though, severe weather can make it difficult for casino employees to commute, leading to staffing shortages.
This can affect the quality of customer service, the availability of gaming tables, and impact overall casino operations – which can also potentially impact revenue.
Certain casinos mitigate this by offering employee accommodations or shuttle services during winter months.

Online betting: a winter boom

But unlike land-based casinos, online betting experiences a surge during winter. Apart from the obvious reasons, here’s why:

Home comfort drives engagement

As mentioned, players don’t have to worry about travel conditions when they can place bets from their phones or laptops. This is especially lucrative for states where gambling is licensed and regulated, like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Michigan – reports from these states’ regulatory agencies say that iGaming continues to outperform on-site casino gaming and earn more revenue as time goes on.
Cold weather provides a strong incentive for people to seek entertainment from their homes, therefore driving an increase in online sports betting, casino games, and poker tournaments.

Winter sports betting peaks

Winter is also a prime season for sports betting, with major events such as the NFL playoffs, the Super Bowl, the Premier League, and ice hockey leagues like the NHL drawing massive interest online. The ongoing March Madness is yet another proof of the draw of online sports betting, where players are all set to make over $3 billion in bets!
In addition to this, winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding competitions see increased betting activity, which provides more opportunities for niche wagers.

Ice hockey image

Holiday and seasonal promotions

As already stated, online casinos and sportsbooks leverage the winter season to roll out special promotions, holiday-themed tournaments, and a wide array of increased bonuses.
Moreover, there are a lot of festive-themed slot games, Christmas giveaways, and New Year’s betting specials, and these attract more players during this period – even players who don’t otherwise bet or play at other times or seasons of the year.

The technical challenges of cold weather in gambling

But while we can all agree that online platforms definitely benefit from increased engagement during winter, they can also face unique technical challenges, as follows:

Internet and server issues

When there are severe winter storms, this can cause power outages and internet disruptions, affecting online gambling services.
As a result, this can lead to temporary downtimes, frustrating users and impacting online betting revenue.

Payment processing delays

In addition, extreme weather conditions can slow down bank transactions, causing delays in deposits and withdrawals for online bettors.
Betting platforms can probably mitigate this by offering multiple payment options (including cryptocurrency and e-wallets) to provide uninterrupted service.

Are the effects the same for both online and on-site betting?

At the end of the day, there’s only one question on our minds: after all is said and done, are the overall effects the same for both online and on-site betting? While both online and on-site gambling experience significant shifts during the winter season, their impacts differ, as you can see below:

Online betting thrives in cold weather, with increased user activity, holiday deals, offers, and promotions, and a boom in winter sports wagers due to winter sports events.
On-site casinos face mixed results, with lower foot traffic - but higher spending overall per visitor. Nevertheless, brick-and-mortar casinos also experience staffing challenges, yet they have found a way to counter this with strategic winter promotions to keep guests engaged.
Both sectors experience psychological shifts in betting behavior, with riskier bets more likely due to evolutionary and cold-induced decision-making.
There are also technical and operational challenges that arise from extreme weather, and this affects customer experience in both online and physical settings.

Our final say

Cold weather may not be the first factor that comes to mind when considering the gambling industry, but its effects are utterly undeniable. While land-based casinos must – and do - navigate weather-related slowdowns, online betting platforms flourish as many users seek convenient, home-based entertainment. When we understand these seasonal trends, it can help both players and operators make informed decisions - whether it's through leveraging winter promotions, adapting marketing strategies, or simply recognizing how climate influences betting behavior.

The impact of cold weather when it comes to betting is more crucial than we think

The impact of cold weather on betting, though often overlooked, is significant and multifaceted. As temperatures drop, gambling behavior shifts in noticeable ways - whether it’s the surge in online betting as people seek entertainment from the comfort of their homes or the mixed effects on brick-and-mortar casinos, which face both reduced foot traffic and increased spending per visitor. Psychological factors play a role, too, as cold weather can lead to riskier betting decisions, a trend that operators capitalize on with winter promotions and seasonal offers.

Furthermore, one other factor that affects the shift is that the winter season is a peak time for sports betting, with major events like the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and ice hockey tournaments drawing massive engagement. However, while online platforms benefit from this seasonal boom, they can also face challenges such as internet disruptions and payment delays caused by extreme weather conditions. Similarly, land-based casinos must contend with staffing shortages and travel difficulties but counteract these issues with winter-themed attractions and accommodations.

Gambling in winter image

Ultimately, it all boils down to this: understanding these cold-weather trends could benefit both players and the gaming industry. It doesn’t really matter if you're a casual gambler or a serious player: being aware of how winter influences betting behavior can help YOU make more informed decisions and better navigate the seasonal shifts in the US gambling landscape. So whatever you decide, it pays to be aware of your behavior when the seasons change – and this, in turn, can influence the outcome of your gameplay.