What happens when rooting for your favorite team crosses the line into financial risk? For many college students, the rise of sports gambling has transformed the sports fan experience into one with excitement but also with consequences.
According to NCAA statistics from 2023, 67 percent of college students have engaged in sports betting. To put that into perspective, that’s over 12 million students. In fact, according to Keene State Athletic Director Marty Testo, it is on campuses like Keene State’s where sports gambling can run rampant.
“Male division three athletes show the highest percentage of gambling activities betting on college or professional sports,” Testo said.
In order to understand its impact at KSC, 25 students on and off-campus responded to an informal survey about their gambling habits: they were asked to say if they gamble, what gambling app they use, what sport they bet on most and how many times a week they place bets. Of the student population that was surveyed, 64 percent responded that they did participate in sports betting, while another 50 percent said they place more than two or three bets every week. The survey also found that 75 percent of bets are placed on DraftKings sportsbook on professional leagues like the NFL or the NBA.
For junior Austin Jones, betting makes the sports-watching experience more entertaining and more intense.
“I would say it does make it more entertaining. Because it does put you on the edge of your seat more because now you’ve got something on the line rather than just, ‘Oh, I want this team to win.’ Now you’re like, ‘Oh, I get like five hundred bucks if this guy catches this,’” said Jones.
Junior Matthew Monteserin also bets for the thrill but emphasized the importance of gambling responsibly.
“I enjoy betting on some of my favorite players and teams and the thrill of seeing it hit, if you’re being responsible with your money I don’t see any problems with sports gambling,” said Monteserin.
While the excitement of sports betting can seem appealing to college students, it comes with serious consequences, particularly for students who tend to gamble irresponsibly. According to a sophomore student who asked to remain unnamed, his betting habits have gotten him into financial trouble.
“I don’t bet anymore because I’ve lost too much and I just can’t afford to anymore.”
These kinds of experiences are commonplace in the world of sports gambling and are one of the main reasons that schools like Keene State are prioritizing education on the risks of gambling to prevent these issues from happening, as Testo explains.
“Having kids understand A, it can cost you and B, it’s an addictive behavior, right? This can really cause problems down the road. It’s not sometimes just that one bet, it’s that one bet that leads to two bets and now you need three or four to get out and then all of a sudden you have this large amount of money that you’re in debt to,” said Testo.
As sports betting becomes an increasingly popular pastime for college students, it is essential that the excitement and thrill it brings do not overshadow the potential dangers. While the allure of winning money on a game can enhance the sports-watching experience, it’s important to recognize the financial and emotional consequences that come with gambling irresponsibly. The rise of legal and easily accessible sports betting means that students must be equipped with the knowledge and resources to engage responsibly.
Students who are concerned about their gambling habits or want more information about responsible betting can reach out to the wellness center at 603-358-2200 or visit responsible gambling websites. Taking small steps to stay informed can help ensure that the excitement of sports betting never crosses into harmful territory.
Elías Stowell Alemán can be contacted at
estowellaleman@kscequinox.com
