The Sound of Winning: Why Do We Refresh Score Apps Instead of Just Watching?

[CoachTony_Bets]

Observation: I was watching NFL yesterday with a bet on the game. Game is on my TV, literally happening in front of me.

But I still checked my phone to see the score update on the ESPN app. Multiple times. While watching the actual game.

Why do we do this? What's the psychological difference between seeing the score on TV versus seeing it on our phones? Is it the betting that makes us obsessive score-checkers?

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

OMG I do this constantly!

Like the game is RIGHT THERE but I need to see the score on my phone too!

I thought I was the only one lol

 

[DublinDegen]

lads i refresh scores like every 30 seconds even when watching the match... have three different score apps open... check them all constantly... even when the game is literally on the telly in front of me... its compulsive...

 

[TaffyTipster]

Conor mate that's mental.

But I do it too.

Watching Wales rugby on the telly, still checking the Betfair app to see the score update.

Why do we do this?

 

[SharpEddie47]

It's the betting that creates this behavior. I never checked scores obsessively before I started betting.

Now I have 4-5 games going simultaneously and I'm refreshing constantly even when watching one of them live.

There's a neurological explanation for this.

 

[Klaus]

Dopamine response differs between formats.

Watching play develop = gradual anticipation.
Score app update = instant gratification hit.

Brain prefers immediate dopamine spike over sustained anticipation.

 

[oli_sussex]

Klaus correct. Different neurological pathways.

Live watching = investment of attention over time.
Score check = instant result validation.

Latter more addictive.