Why Universities Are Unprepared

While most campuses have strong programs addressing alcohol, drugs, and mental health, gambling often remains a silent issue.

- Few policies directly address sports-betting risk.
- Limited staff training on recognizing gambling warning signs.
- Minimal education for students beyond occasional awareness events.

Even well-intentioned harm-prevention efforts can’t yet match the speed at which gambling access and marketing are expanding.

The Consequences of Ignoring the Issue

When universities overlook gambling, they risk much more than financial losses among students. The effects ripple outward:

- Academic decline — students distracted or distressed by financial strain.

- Mental-health deterioration — shame, anxiety, and secrecy often accompany gambling.

- Ethical dilemmas — some universities have accepted sponsorships from betting companies, complicating their role in prevention.

These aren’t isolated cases — they represent a growing public-health concern within higher education.

Why College Students Are Especially Vulnerable

It’s easy to assume that college students are protected by their education, intelligence, or independence. But the truth is, they possess all the ingredients for risk:

- Access to money, even small amounts, through allowances, jobs, or student loans.- Increasing bet sizes after losses.

- Access to technology, with mobile betting apps available 24/7.- Emotional volatility tied to wins or losses.

- A natural, innocent desire to win and succeed, both in life and in sports.

These are not weaknesses — they’re part of normal human ambition. But combined, they create an environment where gambling can quickly shift from entertainment to compulsion.

As I’ve observed, the effects of gambling are evolving faster than our prevention models can keep up. University students today are navigating a landscape of risk that didn’t exist a decade ago, and the systems meant to protect them are still catching up.

What Universities Can Do

To address this growing challenge, universities need to:

- Prioritize gambling education alongside alcohol and drug awareness.
- Integrate prevention programs into student orientation and wellness initiatives.
- Invite lived-experience advocates to speak regularly, not occasionally.
- Train counseling staff to identify gambling warning signs early.
- Avoid commercial partnerships with betting companies that target young audiences.

The goal isn’t to police students — it’s to protect them, through awareness, support, and early intervention.

A New Kind of Responsibility

Universities are not just academic institutions — they’re cultural incubators that shape identity, community, and values. With that comes responsibility. Taking sports betting and gambling seriously isn’t about restricting freedom; it’s about recognizing vulnerability before harm occurs.

At Incumental, we’re developing tools designed to complement these efforts — offering private, accessible support for students who might never walk into a counseling office. Because awareness alone isn’t enough; young people need guided, judgment-free spaces where they can reflect and take action early.

Conclusion: Getting Ahead of the Curve

The gambling landscape on U.S. campuses is evolving faster than ever — and universities need to evolve with it. Harm-prevention talks and advocacy are vital beginnings, but they must be paired with sustained education, resources, and policy reform.

The reality is this: if you have money, technology, and a natural drive to win, you are already vulnerable. Universities must see that vulnerability not as a weakness, but as a call to lead.

The sooner institutions act, the more students they’ll protect — not only from addiction, but from the quiet erosion of well-being that comes long before it.

By Michael Zhang,PHD.

@ 2025 Incumental, Inc. All rights reserved