The Epidemic of College Gambling

We’ve all seen it. You’re sitting in your lecture hall, and as you look around, you see the person next to you is on DraftKings. Then again, while on the bus on your way home, you see someone else placing bets on FanDuel. Even at tailgates, you’ve probably heard at least one person mention how much they bet on the game. Since its legalization in 2018, sports betting has become an ever-growing problem on college campuses, and Penn State has been no exception. 

What Is Sports Betting? 

Sports betting is a form of gambling where someone places a bet (usually with a sum of money) to predict something that will happen during a sporting event. Some of the most common types of bets you may hear about are moneylines (betting on who will win the overall game), point spreads (betting on how much a team will win by), over/unders (betting on whether total points scored will be over/under a set number) and parlays (combining multiple bets into one that’s higher risk but also a higher payout). From there, sportsbooks, more commonly known as betting apps, set the odds based on the probability and public action. 

In recent years, as sports betting has grown in popularity, the bets themselves have also become more outlandish. Some place bets on which socks a player may wear or how fast a fight between two players may break out. As predictions grow more absurd, so have the financial stakes, along with their potential dangers. 

A recent memorable example of this is someone on TikTok who shared that they bet their entire life savings, about $33,000, on the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl. Luckily for them, it did work out in their favor. However, for many others, this isn’t the case. When it comes to young college students, many of whom still don’t have a fully developed brain and the ability to assess risks, participating in sports betting can quickly lead to trouble. 

Gambling At Penn State

A recent study found that college gambling has reached epidemic levels, with “approximately 75% of students gambling annually.” With constant access, thanks to our phones, and aggressive marketing tactics, sports betting apps have quickly become normalized on college campuses. 

Like students at any other university, Penn State students are not immune to the risks of sports betting. However, now there is an added layer of concern with the new casino opening at Nittany Mall. Mobile sports betting apps have also been linked to increased anxiety, worsening academic performance and in some cases suicidal thoughts. With the addition of a physical casino, Happy Valley Casino, opening next month, many worry how it could negatively affect students and community members, which could potentially drive them even deeper into an addiction. 

Ways You Can Get Help 

If you are looking for support, Penn State does provide some resources for students. The university offers free and confidential support services for those who struggle with sports betting and gambling. Students can complete screenings and based on their results, receive intervention and referral treatments that are designed to help them reflect on their habits and determine the best course of action that’ll fit their needs. 

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