Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) In the modern world of online betting, anyone with a smartphone practically has a casino in their pocket. A study from the University of Mississippi showed that in 2025, 39% of college students reported gambling in a variety of formats within the past year.
Of those who bet on sports, 10% were found to be at moderate risk for problem gambling, and 6% already met the criteria for problem gambling as defined by the American Psychological Association.
The main motivations for placing a bet are, of course, winning the money and simply having fun, but the study also looked at the consequences when neither of those things happened: Students reported losing money, feeling ashamed, and regretting their sports betting behavior.
Researchers recommended that universities take more proactive approaches to gambling education and treatment options, and they also said that at-home conversations are a great place to start. Associate Professor of Social Work Daniel Durkin said, “A lot of parents just aren’t aware that these problems are developing, and that would just be a good start: just have a conversation.”
