College Gambling Center: A New Focus on Student Risks

The University of Mississippi has announced plans to open a research hub dedicated to studying gambling among college students. The center, approved by the university’s board in February, will cost roughly $700, 000 each year and is set to hire staff soon. Researchers say the goal is to investigate how the rapid rise of legal sports betting and online gambling affects students, especially those who play sports. A recent survey by university researchers found that 39 % of Mississippi college students engaged in some form of gambling over the past year. Of those who bet on sports, 6 % met criteria for problem gambling according to the American Psychiatric Association. The university hopes its new center will help shape state policy and support students who may be struggling. Mississippi’s legal gambling landscape changed in 2018 when the Supreme Court lifted a ban that had been in place since 1992. Since then, sports betting has spread quickly across the country, with companies spending heavily on lobbying state lawmakers. Mississippi remains cautious because of concerns that legalization could hurt casino revenues and increase addiction rates. Still, an illegal online betting market has grown, making up about 5 % of the national underground scene and bringing in roughly $3 billion in unregulated wagers.The state House has voted for the third straight year to allow mobile sports betting, but Senate leaders have stalled the proposal. Meanwhile, college campuses are becoming hotspots for betting and related problems. The center aims to fill a research gap by studying various gambling activities—from card games to proposition bets—and developing evidence‑based strategies to prevent harm. To support students, the university has already certified eight counselors to recognize and address gambling addiction. The center also plans to highlight how betting pressures can affect student‑athletes, who face threats and harassment when their performance impacts gamblers’ outcomes. Overall, the initiative seeks to raise awareness about the prevalence of gambling on campuses and to promote healthier attitudes toward betting. The hope is that better data will lead to stronger policies and more effective support for students.