The United States Supreme Court legalized sports betting in May, and while professional sports leagues are gearing up for future partnerships with casinos, what does this decision mean for kids? Professional sports will immediately begin to profit from revenue splits with casinos, but what about the countless gamblers who will soon lose huge amounts of money? Especially concerning are developing kids, still not mature enough to understand the consequences of gambling, yet every bit on the hook for paying their debts should they engage in sports betting. Even with minimum age betting, the new Supreme Court decision offers the perception that betting is not only legal, but a perfectly healthy endeavor to consider. Taking all of this into consideration, it begs the question as to what we as parents, teachers, coaches, and sport administrators need to do in order to help kids fully understand the implications of sports betting.
Technology makes betting easy
Long gone are the days of secretly finding a bookie and placing illegal bets. Today, anyone with an internet connection can quickly access countless gambling websites, and place real money bets on just about any game being played. In fact, gamblers can even bet on off-field events, like who will win the coin flip of the Super Bowl, or how quickly a coach might lose his job. In just a few quick key strokes hundreds, if not thousands of dollars can be quickly wagered. Has technology made it too easy to get caught up in gambling today? Are there even greater concerns for kids when it comes to online gambling?
The controversy around human vices
For responsible adults over the age of 18, the risks associated with gambling is viewed by some in the same light as inherent risks with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or owning a firearm. Arguments can be made for each that it is the individual who makes poor choices, abuses things, and potentially becomes an addict. Applying this logic to gambling, it’s not the act of gambling that is inherently “bad,” but it is instead the individual that didn’t wager responsibly. The assumption is that adults are mature enough to make sound decisions, although as we have seen age and maturity don’t always ward off the negative consequences when adults get caught up in alcohol, drugs, or gambling.
Kids & gambling
Even though kids under 18 are prohibited from gambling, they will still find creative ways to bet. Some websites will be barely regulated, and daring kids will find ways to falsify their age. Legal gambling will bring gambling out from the shadows, and many kids will witness their parents openly place bets and immediately assume that gambling is a safe endeavor. Will this desensitization to gambling lead more kids to find ways to gamble? That remains to be seen, but the responsible move is to stay in front of potential negative future consequences by beginning a healthy dialogue about gambling as soon as possible.
Ideas to help
Helping kids understand the possible negative effects of gambling might start with student athletes, with coaches and athletic directors addressing their teams directly. Here are a few ideas to get the conversation started:
- Present the facts. Sports gambling is now legal, and it’s important to start with the truth. Kids need to understand facts from rumor, as well as minimum age limits and the potential consequences for underage illegal gambling.
- Legal v. safe. Another important talking point with kids is that although some things are legal, they aren’t always safe. For example, it’s been well established at this point that cigarettes increase the chance to develop cancer — even though cigarettes are legal to purchase for individuals 18 and older.
- Potential gambling problems. Individuals who get caught up in gambling can lose everything they have in life, including their possessions, spouse, and kids. In addition, some gamblers develop substance abuse issues that further exacerbate problems.
- It looks like just fun, but it can turn very serious quickly. Remind kids that while it seems like nothing betting on an NCAA basketball bracket, most gambling addicts start off with simple, fun betting just like the NCAA tournament. There is a real endorphin rush when you win, and immediate cash dumped into your account. The problem, however, is that your wallet can be emptied just as quickly, leading to increased stress, anxiety, depressed mood, and greater vulnerability to use drugs/alcohol.
Final thoughts
Like it or not, gambling is here to stay. As gambling becomes more mainstream, parents and coaches will need to help steer the conversation so that kids become fully aware of the potential dangers associated with gambling — including loss of money, as well as stress-response behaviors including substance abuse.
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