{"id":72362,"date":"2024-04-03T00:14:39","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T04:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=72362"},"modified":"2024-04-03T00:14:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T04:14:39","slug":"march-madness-brings-unique-gambling-risks-for-college-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/march-madness-brings-unique-gambling-risks-for-college-students\/","title":{"rendered":"March Madness brings unique gambling risks for college students"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Whenever March Madness takes place, it\u2019s a sure bet that people will be wagering on the college basketball games leading up to the championship known as the Final Four.<\/p>\n

From office pools to online betting platforms to taking a crack at picking the perfect bracket, the allure of predicting game outcomes and potentially winning big is irresistible for many. Beneath the surface of this annual sports event, however, lies a darker reality: the dangers of sports betting and gambling addiction.<\/p>\n

College students\u00a0face a unique risk<\/a>. A significant portion are unaware of the consequences and are focused exclusively on making money \u2013 potentially jeopardizing their academic success, ability to remain in school and graduate.<\/p>\n

While the majority of college students who are of legal age to gamble do so responsibly, one organization estimates that 6% of U.S. college students\u00a0have a serious gambling problem<\/a>\u00a0that can result in psychological difficulties, unmanageable debt and failing grades. A 2022 report found more than 1 in 5 college students have\u00a0used their financial aid to gamble<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A growing part of sports culture<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As a\u00a0licensed clinical psychologist<\/a>\u00a0who\u00a0studies gambling among college students<\/a>, I have observed that one of the key factors contributing to the\u00a0rise of gambling addiction<\/a>\u00a0is the widespread normalization of gambling within sports culture.<\/p>\n

These days, it\u2019s impossible for sports fans to watch a game without\u00a0seeing or hearing an ad<\/a>\u00a0that beckons them to place a bet.<\/p>\n

The constant bombardment of betting promotions during March Madness can desensitize individuals to the risks involved,\u00a0leading to impulsive decision-making and related behavior<\/a>. Moreover, the increased number of states that have legalized mobile sports betting in recent years \u2013\u00a0now 30<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 have made access to online sports betting easier, particularly for young people below the legal gambling age of 21.<\/p>\n

A 2023 NCAA survey of 3,527 young people ages 18-22 found that sports wagering is\u00a0pervasive among this group<\/a>. The survey indicated that 58% have placed at least one sports bet. Sports wagering is widespread on college campuses \u2013 67% of students living on campus are bettors and tend to bet at a higher frequency than students living off campus. Forty-one percent of college students who bet on sports have placed a bet on their school\u2019s teams, and 35% have used a student bookmaker.<\/p>\n

Ubiquitous gambling ads, risky behavior<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Advertisements have a major influence: 63% of on-campus students\u00a0recall seeing betting ads<\/a>. This is a higher rate than found in the general population or those that commute or attend college virtually. Fifty-eight percent of those students indicate they are more likely to bet after seeing ads.<\/p>\n

Problem gambling shows up in this population, with 16% having engaged in at least one additional risky behavior such as alcohol and drug use. Six percent report they have previously lost more than US$500 on sports betting in a single day.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, 70% of these risky gamblers believe consistent sports gambling will\u00a0increase their monetary earnings<\/a>. The accessibility of mobile sports betting has made this the preferred choice, with 28% choosing mobile options for their wagering. State legality and age restrictions do not pose much difficulty, as areas where betting is legal have\u00a0nearly the same rate of engagement<\/a>\u00a0as areas where it is not.<\/p>\n

Starts out fun<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For some college students, gambling for fun can turn into a serious problem. Gambling addiction includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal and family relationships or vocational pursuits.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders<\/a>, symptoms of gambling disorder include increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, and restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop. Symptoms also include \u201cchasing\u201d losses, frequent unexplained absences from classes or work, and visible changes in behavior such as mood or a sudden drop in grades. Those with a gambling disorder may also experience a decline in health, withdrawal from loved ones and loss of control. In extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide.<\/p>\n

Lowering the risks<\/strong><\/h4>\n

While March Madness may be a time of excitement for sports fans, it\u2019s essential to recognize the potential pitfalls and take steps to mitigate the risks.<\/p>\n

Recognizing and responding to\u00a0warning signs<\/a>\u00a0early can make a significant difference. Organizations such as the\u00a0National Council on Problem Gambling<\/a>\u00a0provide confidential support and can connect individuals with services and treatment programs tailored to their needs. Call or text their helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, chat with helpline counselors at\u00a0www.1800gamblerchat.org<\/a>,\u00a0find a treatment facility<\/a>\u00a0or attend a\u00a0self-help meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CollegeGambling.org<\/a>\u00a0is designed specifically to help students, campus health professionals and parents address gambling-related harms.<\/p>\n

Therapy and support groups can be invaluable tools. Specifically,\u00a0research shows<\/a>\u00a0cognitive-behavioral therapy<\/a>\u00a0and motivational interviewing techniques have been effective in treating problem gambling by addressing underlying issues and helping individuals develop healthier coping strategies.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important for individuals to evaluate their options for treatment and support based on their unique needs and circumstances.<\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/strong> M. Dolores Cimini is Director for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, University at Albany at the State University of New York<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whenever March Madness takes place, it\u2019s a sure bet that people will be wagering on the college basketball games leading up to the championship known as the Final Four. From office pools to online betting platforms to taking a crack at picking the perfect bracket, the allure of predicting game outcomes and potentially winning big […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[95],"tags":[434899],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-72362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-gambling-risks"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMarch Madness brings unique gambling risks for college students - World leading higher education information and services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/world.edu\/march-madness-brings-unique-gambling-risks-for-college-students\/\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"March Madness brings unique gambling risks for college students - World leading higher education information and services\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whenever March Madness takes place, it\u2019s a sure bet that people will be wagering on the college basketball games leading up to the championship known as the Final Four. 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