Sports betting has become increasingly popular among college-aged students, especially in the era of online gambling. Now easier than ever, universities across the country are noticing an uptick in the practice, with some institutions signing sponsorship deals with sports gambling companies and offline casinos. However, many of these deals have been squandered given their controversial nature, as well as the potential harm direct and indirect advertising has posed to collegiate students.

According to the American Gaming Association, 38 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized sports betting, though it is not operational yet in four of them. This widespread legality has left its mark, and online gambling is projected to be a $145 billion industry by 2030 largely due to sports betting, according to Custom Market Insights.

This new path for additional revenue has intrigued university officials from coast to coast. The aforementioned partnerships between universities and sports gambling companies have used tactics that promise consequence-free betting, despite the associated risks and dangers.

As concerns grew greater about the safety of students in relation to sports betting, the universities in question began ending their deals. However, the gambling bug has already been caught by some students, leaving professionals in a state of uncertainty over the future impact of sports betting on college campuses.

According to the International Center for Responsible Gambling, as many as 6% of US college students reported that they have a serious problem with gambling. A large concern among industry experts is the fact that college students don’t have a lot of money to spend in the first place, and the predatory language in sports-betting advertisements can easily persuade them to make poor financial decisions. Additionally, the demographic is largely using sports betting applications to play online – a much easier method than gambling at a brick-and-mortar establishment. These applications turn gambling into a group activity, and bets worth hundreds (or thousands) of dollars can be placed in mere seconds. For the generation that spends more time on their phones than the previous, the dangers present themselves tenfold.

Another issue with gambling is the fact that it is not discussed as a “vice” as often as drugs and alcohol are. Students who engage in sports betting don’t necessarily recognize a problem if all their friends are participating in the same activity. Furthermore, very few students are taught when to “walk away” from a bet like they are instructed to regarding excess alcohol or drug use. Once students see a reward, a bet that started out at $5 can quickly turn to $100, and then into a mad frenzy to recoup the money they lost. In other words, students can bet their way into massive amounts of debt before realizing they even have a problem.

On top of financial consequences, legal action acts as another risk of sports betting for students on college campuses – specifically NCAA athletes. NCAA rules require that no athletes or athletic department employees place bets on any sport the organization sponsors on any level. Unfortunately, some high-profile players did not abide by these rules and are now consequently facing litigation.

Seven players from the University of Iowa and Iowa State have been charged with tampering records in relation to a gambling investigation. According to the case, each of these student-athletes had used a sports betting app to gamble on NCAA games, with some using the names of friends or family to hide their tracks. Additionally, some athletes were placing bets on games they were playing themselves – not only an ethical issue, but a direct defiance of longstanding rules the NCAA has put in place.

Given that these students knew the expectations set for them, and actively chose to defy the rules anyway, it begs the question of how severe gambling addiction can be for young adults, especially with the ease and efficiency sports betting giants have provided to their consumers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with unhealthy gambling, help is available. CADS offers prevention and treatment resources for adolescents and adults who may be dealing with a gambling addiction. Please see below for more information.

CADS Iowa Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services: (563) 823-4500

Iowa Gambling Treatment Program: 1-800-BETS OFF

The CADS Prevention Department can provide Scott County residents with the following problem gambling-related services:

• College Campus Policy Toolkits
• Social & Charitable Gaming Venue Toolkits
• 1-800 BETS OFF material distribution
• One-time presentations focused on problem gambling (Target Audience: casino employees, adults 21+)

If you or a loved one are at risk, click here to take our online assessment.

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