Are US Colleges Encouraging Gambling Activities on Their Campuses?

The sports betting industry seems l comfortable even with unlikely partnership initiatives, as the recent collaboration between US universities and sports betting companies can show. It all started in 2020 when Louisiana State University (LSU) announced a partnership with Caesars, one of the major gambling names in the American panorama. This first experience immediately reaped the attention of other universities throughout the States, such as the University of Colorado, which signed on a partnership with PointsBet. 

Our article will explore the new phenomenon to highlight what hides behind the new duo formula between universities and gambling companies and spot the questions that arise around this new business engagement.

The Sports Betting Market in Numbers

The American Gaming Association (AGA) reveals that at least 17% of American adults bet on basketball tournaments regularly. Also, the surge of online sportsbooks is driving the betting market to digital platforms that offer a 360-degree sports range on top of plenty of casino betting opportunities for those who like the thrills of live poker games or superb slot gameplay.

As a result of the rise of online sports betting sites, land-based shops are fading in popularity. AGA also announced that 76% of US sports bettors will wager online, a considerable percentage compared to the 55% from last year.

Pro-Gambling Universities

Money is the fuel that runs the engine. Behind the duo between universities and betting companies, there’s it: money. Sports and casino betting companies are investing funds to promote gambling at the university. On the other hand, universities seem to be in permanent need of more funds to use for academic activities. At this point, it shouldn’t be that difficult to see why universities accept to partner with betting companies by promoting gambling among students.

Sports betting apps are literally invading the university environment, as the ad deals with sports betting companies released by at least seven large universities in the US. Some universities seem unafraid to go further: LSU’s athletic department has emailed its students promoting sports betting.

Anti-Gambling Universities

How is it possible that such gambling propaganda takes place without mincing words? The flat-out situation has an explanation: the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize gambling in 2018. This act has marked the beginning of a new era for sports betting, with some universities getting involved in partnerships with gambling apps.

However, the situation appears diversified depending on the decisions of each single university. For example, the University of Pittsburgh urged Congress, which established to refuse any offering from gambling companies due to the “detrimental impact” of online wagering on students and the university’s public reputation. The University of Pittsburgh isn’t the only place where gambling cannot step in. Some states, like New Jersey, still maintain a ban on all forms of gambling on in-state college games.

Sports Betting-Universities: A Divisive Partnership

The online betting venture has helped athletic departments gather funds after the big loss during the pandemic. The new partnership opportunity proves to bring in their treasury significant funds to invest in college teams and athletic initiatives. 

While the sports betting partnership helps support the development of new projects and increasing needs for specific sports programs, questions about the ethical aspects don’t stop and split public opinion. Some of the biggest concerns focus on the impact of promoting gambling activities on students who are at a vulnerable age and might easily develop gambling problems. It appears that the universities engaged in the partnership with betting companies are missing their educative mission. Driving youth to get closer to behaviors with high addictive risks is not only harmful but also out of ethics. 

Furthermore, some aspects of the partnership seem to violate the gambling industry’s rules. As AGA reports, gambling should never be advertised or promoted in college environments.

Final Thoughts

Although the first partnership venture between a US university and a betting company is a few years old, most bonds are only a few months old, which means it’s early to spot the traces of the full impact on students. However, the risks to gamblers’ health and social interactions are proven by decades of dedicated studies. Promoting betting habits among youth brings significant risks for the future. Mental health experts warn that sportsbooks encourage bettors to wager more often, despite losses. Meanwhile, federal programs to treat gambling disorders are still too scarce to fight against the gambling addiction plague.

The situation looks obscure and potentially harmful. It’s time to ask oneself what the educational mission of universities really is and where it is meant to lead our youngest generations.