We explored how Big Five personality traits influence player behavior across regions. The analysis is based on materials from Spice Your Dice and original research:
🇳🇬 Nigeria — 390 online players surveyed using the Big Five model and South Oaks Gambling Screen.
🇳🇴 Norway — 10,081 participants evaluated with the PGSI index.
🇳🇬 Nigeria — 390 online players surveyed using the Big Five model and South Oaks Gambling Screen.
🇳🇴 Norway — 10,081 participants evaluated with the PGSI index.
We compared players across the five Big Five personality traits: neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness.
1. Neuroticism
🔴 Nigeria: 76.7% of players show high anxiety and emotional instability.
🔵 Norway: Similar trend — neuroticism correlates strongly with problem gambling.
Takeaway: High anxiety is a universal psychological risk factor.
2. Conscientiousness
🔴 Nigeria: Only 5.6% of players exhibit strong self-discipline.
🔵 Norway: Low conscientiousness is also common among problem gamblers.
Takeaway: Impulsivity and lack of self-control are consistent behavioral patterns.
3. Agreeableness
🔴 Nigeria: Just 3.8% of problem gamblers display empathy or trust.
🔵 Norway: High-risk players also show low levels of agreeableness.
Takeaway: Distrust and self-centeredness may distort risk assessment in gambling.
4. Extraversion
🔴 Nigeria: Only 9.5% of players are extraverts.
🔵 Norway: Extraversion shows no notable effect on gambling behavior.
Takeaway: Gambling in Nigeria may serve as a coping mechanism for social withdrawal.
5. Openness to Experience
🔴 Nigeria: Lowest score — just 0.8% of players are open to novelty or creativity.
🔵 Norway: No significant difference between gamblers and control group.
Takeaway: In developing markets, players tend to stick to familiar models and "their own rules."
Summary
1. Neuroticism
🔴 Nigeria: 76.7% of players show high anxiety and emotional instability.
🔵 Norway: Similar trend — neuroticism correlates strongly with problem gambling.
Takeaway: High anxiety is a universal psychological risk factor.
2. Conscientiousness
🔴 Nigeria: Only 5.6% of players exhibit strong self-discipline.
🔵 Norway: Low conscientiousness is also common among problem gamblers.
Takeaway: Impulsivity and lack of self-control are consistent behavioral patterns.
3. Agreeableness
🔴 Nigeria: Just 3.8% of problem gamblers display empathy or trust.
🔵 Norway: High-risk players also show low levels of agreeableness.
Takeaway: Distrust and self-centeredness may distort risk assessment in gambling.
4. Extraversion
🔴 Nigeria: Only 9.5% of players are extraverts.
🔵 Norway: Extraversion shows no notable effect on gambling behavior.
Takeaway: Gambling in Nigeria may serve as a coping mechanism for social withdrawal.
5. Openness to Experience
🔴 Nigeria: Lowest score — just 0.8% of players are open to novelty or creativity.
🔵 Norway: No significant difference between gamblers and control group.
Takeaway: In developing markets, players tend to stick to familiar models and "their own rules."
Summary
- High-risk players globally tend to be neurotic, impulsive, and low in empathy.
- Differences in extraversion and openness suggest motivational rather than pathological factors.
- Products should be adapted to psychological profiles — not just demographics or UX.