Sports Wagering Education Gains Traction on College Campuses
Published: October 30, 2023
As sports betting gains traction all over the US, a growing number of colleges and universities are embracing sports wagering education for their students and student-athletes. The NCAA continues to crack down on sports gambling violations in athletic programs, and admittedly, it’s hard to keep up with all of the changing legislation. College educators are working to provide new opportunities for their students to learn what they need to know.
U.S. Integrity, a sports betting monitoring company, is helping to educate student-athletes on more campuses every year. In 2023, the group will travel to 50+ colleges to provide education and awareness training sessions, Q&As, and impactful discussions about the rules and regulations of sports betting. Founder and CEO Matt Holt reported that these days, people are “much more attentive” to the 90-minute education sessions than they were before.
Matt and his team change the content of each presentation to cater to the school where they’re presenting. Often, they’ll reference real-life examples of the reported violations of players or coaches who were previously involved in the school’s athletic program. “I do think it hits home a lot better when you can use relevant case studies as examples,” Holt explained.
Rules and legislation are constantly changing in many states. According to Holt, this makes it challenging for student-athletes to keep up — especially if they transfer schools, which is incredibly common. “A student-athlete might understand the betting rules in their state one year, but those could look different the next if they switch to a school in another state,” he shared.
Similarly, it can be challenging for sports bettors to keep track of changing regulations in their home state. There are currently twenty mobile sports betting operators and 15 retail locations in the state of Ohio. Many people find responsible betting and gambling a fun way to play a game while spending time with family and friends. However, some individuals are challenged in moderating their betting and gambling, which can result in a higher risk for problem gambling.
Before you place a bet, make sure you plan to bet responsibly by setting limits, recognizing the risks, and knowing when to stop. You can find more tips and other educational resources at PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/play-responsibly. And remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with a problem with betting or gambling, help is available 24/7 by calling the free and confidential Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or by texting 4HOPE to 741741. When you call, you can connect with trained and understanding specialists who are ready to help with no commitments or strings attached.