{"id":140387,"date":"2024-03-20T13:39:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T17:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=140387"},"modified":"2024-03-20T13:39:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T17:39:53","slug":"ucf-experts-warn-students-about-risks-of-sports-betting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-experts-warn-students-about-risks-of-sports-betting\/","title":{"rendered":"麻豆原创 Experts Warn Students About Risks of Sports Betting"},"content":{"rendered":"

The growth of online sports betting among college students \u2014 as many as one in four in the last year by one study \u2014 has 麻豆原创 health professionals urging caution among students.<\/p>\n

Overall, online sports betting continues to surge in popularity, with a projected revenue of $100 billion in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association. Among college students, a 2023 survey revealed 60% of students gambled illegally and one in five used financial aid to support their habit.<\/p>\n

The lure of \u201cbig wins\u201d and advertising that promises low-risk fun is often the starting line, says Stephanie Spies, director of Wellness and Health Promotion Services at 麻豆原创.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople only talk about their wins; they don\u2019t discuss the losses,\u201d Spies says.<\/p>\n

That culture of silence and the social nature of sports betting contribute to a lack of stigma, particularly as compared to something like substance abuse. When sports betting gets out of control, it\u2019s easier to hide than other addictive behaviors until it\u2019s too late, says Karen Hofmann, director of 麻豆原创\u2019s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re failing at it, no one is aware,\u201d Hofmann says.<\/p>\n

Developing a habit typically comes incrementally. For instance, a few bets and wins with friends over the March Madness season can still become problematic. That\u2019s particularly the case when paired with other stressors like midterms, says Jennifer Calame, assistant director of Substance Use Disorder Services at 麻豆原创\u2019s Student Health Services.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents feel like it\u2019s not a problem because they don\u2019t do it all the time,\u201d she says. \u201cBut that doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t become problematic.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are several signs that sports betting is out of control, including:<\/p>\n