Image Source: Jacob Clabes
Key Takeaways:
- 39 states, including Kentucky, have legalized sports gambling, with Kentucky allowing 18-year-olds to participate
- Research suggests that young people are at risk of problems with gambling due to cognitive immaturities and poor understanding of statistical probability
- The NCAA has found that 67% of college-aged students living on campus are bettors, with 16% engaging in at least one risky behavior
- Raising the minimum age for sports gambling to 21 could help protect young people from potential harms
- Kentucky can take a practical step to protect young people by changing the minimum age requirement in the Kentucky Revised Statute 230.805(b)(3)
Introduction to the Issue
Sports gambling has become a mainstream activity in the United States, with 39 states, including Kentucky, legalizing it. However, Kentucky stands out from other states by allowing 18-year-olds to gamble on sporting events, while 32 other states have set the minimum age at 21. As Richard Nelson, executive director of Commonwealth Policy Center, notes, "Young people are known to be at risk of problems with gambling because of cognitive immaturities, such as illusions of control over outcomes … and poor understanding of statistical probability … These can lead to chasing losses, a common gambling problem." This raises concerns about the potential harm that sports gambling can cause to young people, and whether Kentucky should reconsider its minimum age requirement.
The Risks of Sports Gambling for Young People
The National Institute of Health references a study from Great Britain titled "Gambling in Young Adults Aged 17–24 Years: A Population-Based Study," which highlights the risks of sports gambling for young people. The study notes that "young people are at risk of problems with gambling because of cognitive immaturities, such as illusions of control over outcomes … and poor understanding of statistical probability … These can lead to chasing losses, a common gambling problem." This is particularly concerning, as young people are already vulnerable to impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors due to the immaturity of their executive function. As Nelson points out, "In adolescence, executive function is not fully developed, which increases impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors … This immaturity in self-regulation can increase the frequency of placing bets impulsively, especially in-game sports betting."
The Prevalence of Sports Gambling Among College-Aged Students
The NCAA surveyed 3,500 college-aged students in 2023 to better understand sports wagering behaviors. The survey found that 67% of students living on campus are bettors, with higher-than-average frequency. Additionally, 16% of students engaged in at least one risky behavior, and 6% reported losing more than $500 in a single day. NCAA President Charlie Baker explained that the goal of the survey was to "better understand what student-athletes are experiencing on their campuses and among their peers so we can best help them deal with the potentially disruptive dynamic of legal sports betting." These findings suggest that sports gambling is a significant issue among college-aged students, and that many are engaging in risky behaviors.
The Consequences of Legalized Sports Betting
While some argue that legalized sports betting increases the fan base, it has also created problems that didn’t exist before the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision allowing states to legalize it. These include corruption and threats to student-athletes, and students risking what little money they have on long-shot bets. In November 2023, the NCAA found that 36% of Division I men’s basketball student-athletes reported "experiencing social media abuse related to sports betting in the past year." Nearly one in three reported interacting with a student on campus who had bet on their team. A 2024 study found that one in three high-profile athletes receives abusive messages from bettors. These findings suggest that legalized sports betting has significant consequences, and that young people are particularly vulnerable to its negative effects.
A Practical Solution: Raising the Minimum Age
Given the risks and consequences of sports gambling for young people, it is clear that Kentucky should reconsider its minimum age requirement. Raising the minimum age to 21 would add a much-needed safeguard, as would tightening the language to decrease the opportunity for loopholes. As Nelson notes, "Changing ‘eighteen (18)’ to ‘twenty-one (21)’ would add a much-needed safeguard, as would tightening the language to decrease the opportunity for loopholes." This is a practical step that Kentucky can take to protect young people, including potential gambling peers of student-athletes. By raising the minimum age, Kentucky can help to prevent the negative consequences of sports gambling and ensure that young people are protected from its potential harms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sports gambling has become a mainstream activity in the United States, but it poses significant risks to young people. The research suggests that young people are at risk of problems with gambling due to cognitive immaturities and poor understanding of statistical probability. The NCAA’s survey of college-aged students found that 67% of students living on campus are bettors, with 16% engaging in at least one risky behavior. Raising the minimum age for sports gambling to 21 is a practical solution that can help to protect young people from the potential harms of sports gambling. As Nelson notes, "Who could oppose increasing the minimum to 21? Seems like a no-brainer." By taking this step, Kentucky can help to ensure that young people are protected from the negative consequences of sports gambling and that they are able to make informed decisions about their financial and personal well-being.
Opinion – Richard Nelson: Raising state’s sports gambling age to 21 should be a ‘no-brainer’