Amid growing concerns about the prevalence of sports betting on college campuses, an NCAA a survey of 3,527 young people between the ages of 18 and 22 found that 58% had engaged in at least one sports betting activity.
Charlie Baker he commissioned the poll weeks after he took office as NCAA president.Opinion diagnostics conducted the survey, which included both college students and out-of-college young adults. The NCAA will conduct a separate student-only survey in the coming months.
Among other notable findings were released Wednesday: 27.5% have placed a bet on a sporting event or league using a mobile app or website, and 24.5% have played daily fantasy sports on a mobile app or website with money awarded to top performers.
Perhaps most alarming was that the survey found that advertising has a large influence on betting activity: 63% of students on campus recall seeing betting ads. This was a higher rate than that found in the general population or among those who commute to or virtually attend college. Additionally, 58% of students who recall seeing betting ads indicated that they were more likely to bet after seeing the ads.
Industry leaders and gambling experts have told On3 in recent weeks that it is imperative that the NCAA conduct a comprehensive national study of the sports betting habits of student-athletes.
The last time the NCAA conducted a self-proclaimed national study of student-athlete sports playing habits was in 2003. Since then, the NCAA has conducted what it calls surveys on the issue every four years, starting in 2004 and continuing through 2016. (There were none in 2020 due to the pandemic.)
The gambling landscape has radically changed
The landscape has undergone seismic changes since 2016, much less since the pre-social media days of 2003.United States Supreme Courtin 2018, the federal sports betting ban was lifted, sports betting was legalized in over 30 states, some colleges have partnered with sports betting, and student-athletes have been inundated with sports betting advertisements and promotions.
Sports betting experts told On3 there was a 100% certainty a gambling scandal would soon erupt on a college campus. And just in the last few weeks, Alabamabaseball coach, Brad Bohannonhe was embroiled in a betting scandal and was quickly fired after suspicious bets were made at an Ohio casino involving his team.
More, Iowa announced that 26 athletes from five sports are suspected of betting on sports that violate NCAA rules, and more than 100 people have been linked to the investigation. State of Iowa acknowledged that some 15 student-athletes from three sports are also suspected of violating gambling rules.
Sports betting is the top concern for industry insiders
When asked about the recent spate of gambling scandals, Tom McMillenformer US Congressman and current CEO of LEAD1 associationHe told On3: It’s no surprise. More to come, for sure. McMillen said sports betting is his No. 1 personal concern. 1 in college athletics because the consequences could be catastrophic, which is why an NCAA national study is critical.
It’s essential, he saidMichael Malkinan assistant professor of criminal justice atEastern Carolinawho has done extensive research and spoken at numerous conferences and symposiums on the connection of gambling to crime.
We need to know how involved they are in gambling. And we need to know what percentage are at risk for gambling disorder. We need to know what the effect is, in terms of differences between athletes in states where it’s legal and states where it’s not. We need to know how well our student-athletes understand the NCAA gambling regulations. It takes a couple of years before something is available to see the effect. And now is the time. Right now.
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