The study focused on the patterns, motivation and effects of online betting among youths in South East Nigeria and the factors predisposing these youths to online sports betting behaviour. A total of 291 respondents were selected using a simple random technique which provided quantitative data analysed in the study. The Social learning theory and Diffusion of Innovations theory provided theoretical underpinnings for the study. The study agreed that the respondents who were found to be avid online bettors in a social learning sense, have learned betting behaviour through imitation of influential models such as family members and friends within their peer group. The study also proof that the younger and unemployed respondents were more involved in online sports betting than the older and employed respondents; with regards to factors predisposing the respondents to online sports betting, majority of them stated that their main reason was to earn extra income and the study recommend that a national committee be set up to streamline the frivolous and appealing massive advertisement undertaken by online sports betting companies; secondly, psychologists should intensify effort to organize seminars/conferences on the implications of online sports betting on youths behaviour and general wellbeing among others.

Keywords : Assessment, Motivation, Online, Pattern, South East.