The impact of digital payments on sports lottery consumption decisions based on the moderating role of the business environment

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between digital payment and sports lottery consumption decisions and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methods Based on panel data from 31 Chinese provinces spanning 2011–2023, this study employs a fixed-effects panel model and a moderation analysis to investigate the relationship between digital payment and sports lottery consumption decisions, along with the moderating role of the business environment. Results Digital payment significantly contributes to sports lottery consumption decisions. Furthermore, the business environment significantly moderates the impact of digital payment on these decisions. In terms of regional heterogeneity, digital payment plays a significant role in enhancing lottery consumption decisions in central and western regions. Discussion The development of digital payment not only directly promotes sports lottery consumption decisions but also indirectly does so by improving the business environment. Enhanced lottery consumption decisions contribute to expanding national public welfare fundraising, supporting the development of public sports, and advancing the high-quality development of the sports industry. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of leveraging the government's guiding role, fostering digital innovation, enhancing the synergy between digital payment and the business environment, and adhering to the principle of “one policy for one place” to facilitate the orderly and sustainable digital transformation of China's sports lottery sector.