Andrei Marius Popescu: The Gacha System Works Like Sports Betting: They Make You Think You’re Choosing

It is not often that we come across an individual known for his talents in sports betting, data journalism, and predictive modelling. However, these are the very same traits that have come to define Andrei Marius Popescu. This is why it made sense to speak with him about the gacha system in relation to sports wagering. Is choice really an illusion? If so, can bettors still bend the odds in their favour? Let’s see what he had to say.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “I graduated from Babeș-Bolyai University with a BSc in Mathematics before obtaining a PhD in Econometrics from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.”

Did you always have a passion for numbers?

Andrei Marius Popescu.“I think that this is what initially motivated me to pursue such fields. However, I also wanted to apply them to real-world scenarios.”

Why did you choose to focus on sports wagering?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “This was one of the few areas that enabled me to see the results of my ongoing research. Furthermore, I felt that too much confusion had begun to surround basic wagering principles.”

Are you saying that the modern betting community has become defined by so-called “smoke and mirrors”?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “To an extent, yes. Why make things any more complicated than they have to be?”

Still, you have to admit that random outcomes play an important role in sports wagering. Is this the case?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Randomness is what makes betting interesting, at least to an extent. However, the key is to use predictive modelling to better understand how random outcomes are influenced by known variables.”

This leads us to the next question. Why are gacha and sports betting similar?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Both convince the user that he or she is in control. On the contrary, they are still working within a framework defined by predetermined outcomes.”

OK. Let’s begin with gacha. Can you give us an example?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Gacha is normally associated with rolling for specific items or characters. The results ultimately depend on the random nature of these choices.”

Is this concept the same with sports wagering?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Yes. While odds are the results of behind-the-scenes research, they always favour the house.”

What is the underlying theme that both concepts share in common?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Each seeks to capitalise on risk and randomisation. They also rely on the notion of ‘winning it big’ to keep players coming back for more.”

Are you saying that psychology also plays a key role?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “We’re all tempted by the notion of a massive windfall. In sports betting, this can cloud our decision-making skills; especially when the odds are not in our favour.”

Is this phenomenon equally true in gacha?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “There’s always the near-miss scenario. The allure of obtaining a rare item can often overshadow the risks that obtaining such an item might entail.”

Can you explain the concept of “near-miss” in more detail?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Coming close to winning will often increase the temptation to keep trying. This equates to ‘letting it ride’ when it comes to sports wagering.”

However, isn’t this one of the main appealing factors of sports betting?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Without a doubt. However, players will need to appreciate the fact that their sense of control isn’t always as powerful as it may seem.”

What are the dangers of this train of thought?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Anyone who falsely feels that they can control an outcome tends to chase losses. This can be a real detriment to any wagering strategy.”

Do you feel that your scientific background gives you an edge in terms of this type of behaviour?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “In some ways, it enables me to see the big picture. However, I’m just as prone to falling victim to such a mentality on occasion.”

Are there any specific data points you focus on when studying such behaviours?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “I’ll normally track metrics such as retention rates, how long users stay logged in to a sports betting site, and the win/loss ratio.”

What have you gleaned from these observations?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “We once again return to the illusion of control. Those who remain active for longer periods of time are often those who are willing to risk more; even if there’s little evidence to support such an approach.”

So, are you saying that it might be better to limit the amount of time playing gacha, or conversely, interacting with a sportsbook?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “It all comes down to discipline. Each of us needs to know our own limitations, and to realise when it might be better to walk away.”

Have bookmakers done enough to emphasise the risks associated with sports wagering?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “I think that they’ve come a long way in recent times. They are much more transparent in terms of keeping players informed. I also like the growing prevalence of self-exclusion tools.”

Finally, do you believe that technology will ever be able to reduce the random nature of these two pastimes?

Andrei Marius Popescu. “Data can mitigate the associated risks, but it won’t ever be able to eliminate them. Still, this is the appeal of wagering, and I can’t argue with a pastime that has existed for countless years (in one form or another).”