Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

Awhile back, Kindbridge Behavioral Health published an article on How to Keep College Athletes from Sports Betting. Curriculum integration of education regarding gambling harms was the main theme, which is something that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) also recognized more than two-decades ago. Beginning in 2004, the NCAA conducted a series of national surveys on student-athlete gambling behaviors and attitudes. Surveys were administered to over 100,000 male and female Division I to III student-athletes in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2024. The NCAA has started the new year (2025) with a collective analysis of the surveys and a subsequent report on the results. Below is a succinct breakdown of the key findings, concluding with a clear call to action for what needs to be done to protect the mental wellbeing of young athletes across America.

Statistics Regarding Gambling Behavior Among College Student Athletes and How Education is Key to Curbing Problematic Behavior


Gambling Behavior Decreases, But Remains High

The table below shows the percentage of student-athletes who gambled for money over the reported annum.

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Interestingly, the values have decreased. It’s suggested that this phenomenon is the result of increased education on the harms associated with gambling behavior. But which messages within educational communications are having the greatest impact? Does the demotivation to gamble result from a desire to protect one’s mental wellbeing, or to avoid punitive measures associated with breaking policy on sports betting activities? On top of being more informed about vulnerabilities to gambling disorder and associated harms, student-athletes have an increased awareness about penalties for violating NCAA gambling policy. The decrease in gambling behavior is likely due to a combination of both, but it’s important to note that a 52% (males) and 36% (females) average is higher than mental health professionals, concerned family members, and the NCAA would like to see.

Student-Athletes Defy Policy to Bet on Sports?

The current NCAA rule about student-athletes betting on sports is as follows:

Understanding this, let’s look at following table which shows gambling behavior among male student-athletes:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

The data shows that despite the percentage of those who bet on sports being the lowest in 2024 compared to previously surveyed periods, it remains high when considering that nearly a quarter (21.5%) may be in violation of NCAA policy. Let’s look more closely at the breakdown of which groups within the group (NCAA mens) are betting on sports:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Sports betting increases as Divisions move from DI to DIII. For the uninitiated, these Divisions differ not just in the level of athletic play, but also in academics, and the amount of athletic scholarships or aid each team can offer student-athletes on their roster. Why does this pattern persist across all three levels of sports betting behavior? Do DIII athletes feel as if they have less to lose by violating NCAA sports betting policy. Do they not receive the same volume of messaging regarding punitive measures? Or do they not receive the same level of education on gambling harms?

The table below shows the sports that Division III athletes (male) are betting on at least once per month:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

In comparison, the table below shows the sports that Division I athletes (male) are betting on at least once per month:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Division I sports betting behavior is certainly lower when compared to Division III, but it indicates a problem regarding policy nonetheless. Further confirming that the wagers are occurring on policy violating leagues such as the NFL and NCAAF (and not the Turkish Gridiron Football First League, etc.) we can look at which leagues all student-athletes are betting on:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

Meanwhile, the following table indicates personal beliefs and attitudes regarding sports betting need to be addressed in intervention measures. Nearly half of all student-athlete males think that the activity is acceptable/harmless, and that their peers are already doing it in spite of NCAA gambling policy:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

The above attitudes are even more concerning among male student-athletes who have bet on sports in the past year (2024). For instance, 72% of this group thinks that sports betting is a harmless pastime, while 73% think it’s acceptable as long as it’s not on the sport that they are involved in (noted in the report).

We must return to the verbiage used in the NCAA gambling policy to better understand what’s happening here. The language of the policy may be confusing to some, as “any sport the NCAA sponsors at any level.” leaves room for interpretation. Are student-athletes fully aware of the fact that the NCAA has sponsorship-based partnerships with the NBA, NFL, MLB, and other professional leagues? Do they find it confusing that they can bet on horse racing, boxing, and the UFC but not participate in Super Bowl squares? Educational messaging must make more clear which leagues are excluded from consideration, while ensuring that this messaging reaches student-athletes across all Divisions.

Large Increase in Playing the Stock Market

The above table indicating what male student-athletes are gambling on shows that despite an overall decrease in gambling behavior, there is a very significant increase in one category – playing the stock market. By the end 2024 involvement increased to almost 20% from 10.2% in 2004, 9.2% in 2008, 7.4% in 2012, and 8.5% in 2016. This is interesting because it may be speculated that student-athletes are swapping gambling choices that recent education has warned them about (casino gaming and sports betting) to another that may appear innocuous from a mental health perspective. Are they not aware that like with gambling, problem trading behavior is a growing concern among young adult males? Or does the recent increase reflect the arrival of prediction market betting which lands under the jurisdiction of The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)?

Gambling Behavior Starts in Adolescence

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education
Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

The data above indicates that the onus for student development of gambling behavior does not fall on post-secondary institutions. Gambling predominantly begins during high school years, and thus preventative education must be focused accordingly. And what about the equally concerning fact that 31% (males) started gambling before high school? Awareness about gambling harms must be introduced by parents in the home. This may occur through healthy discussions about gambling advertising and parents being more mindful about their own relationships with the activity (as per observational learning).

Peer (or Companion) Pressure is Real

The tables below show who student-athletes are most likely to gamble with, if not doing so alone:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

For male student-athletes, gambling appears to be a highly social activity. This aligns with peer pressure’s role in promoting gambling behavior, and how preventative strategies must consider this form of influence. By comparison, female student-athletes are more likely to gamble with those closest to them.

Student Athletes Betting on Sports Online (and Offshore)

The table below shows which “platforms” student-athletes are using to bet on sports. As expected, online sports betting dominates. Of particular concern is that nearly one-fifth of males are using illegal offshore sportsbooks. They presumably do so to skirt regulations regarding age and jurisdiction and to avoid being flagged for NCAA gambling policy violations.

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Fantasy is Big Among Male Student-Athletes

Fantasy / DFS is popular among male student-athletes. While they are predominantly participating in free leagues (which does not violate policy) the 40% involved in or considering involvement in policy-violating leagues is problematic. Education must make it more clear that fantasy sports (for money) are a form of gambling, and that it can be a gateway to gambling behavior. This education must also equally focus on female student-athletes as they exhibit an uptick in league participation.

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Student-Athlete Harassment

The recent NCAA report also includes reference to another that they released in 2024, regarding student-athlete harassment by disgruntled sports bettors. This is an issue we have been reporting on for quite some time. The following table shows the percentages of student-athletes, by sport they are involved in, who have received abusive messages from someone who bet on their games/events:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Kindbridge has covered this disturbing concern in great detail. For insight into student-athlete harassment please reference the following:

Student-Athletes Tapped for Inside Information

Another unfortunate phenomenon to come with the legalization sports betting in the United States, is the increase in instances of athletes being approached for insider information. This information can help gamblers and bookies gain an advantage and has the potential to compromise the integrity of athletes and NCAA sports. The following table shows the percentage of Division I men’s basketball and football players who reported having been contacted by outside sources to share inside information:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education

Athlete education must prepare them for the pressure that may come from friends, family, and fellow students in addition to organized criminals.

Problem Gambling Among Student Athletes

The following tables show student-athlete gambling severity as per DSM-5 classification of disorders:

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention Through Education
Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

As per the statistics above, student-athletes who gambling regularly are far more likely to self-report that they may have a problem. This leads us to the most important data point and subsequent call to action. Please keep reading.

Unaware of Where to Get Help for Problem Gambling

The NCAA asked student-athletes if they knew where to go if they, or someone they knew, needed help for problematic gambling behavior. The results indicate that greater awareness and access to student-athlete specific problem gambling support is required.

Student Athlete Gambling Prevention and Statistical Analysis

View the entire Trends in NCAA Student-Athlete Gambling and Sports Betting Behaviors report for further insight. Lastly, athletes and educational institutions who are concerned about gambling behavior are encouraged to reach out to Kindbridge Behavioral Health right away. Our Mental Health Services for Athletes platform includes counseling services for problematic gambling behavior. Call or email to ask about our student-athlete support programs, or click the banner below (athletes) to receive an assessment and book a counseling session.

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Student Athlete Gambling