High Stakes for High Schoolers
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, many young people report their first gambling experience occurs around 9-11 years of age. About 60 percent of high school students have gambled for money in the past year, and 10 to 14 percent are at risk of developing a gambling problem.
Research has shown that gambling bears a striking similarity to alcohol and other drug addictions from a neurobiological perspective – and because of their developing brains, adolescents are considered particularly vulnerable to gambling addiction, highlighting the importance of early education and prevention.
The rise of sports betting apps targeting teens and young adults is fueling gambling addictions globally. By eliminating the time and space barriers of traditional gambling, these apps make underage access easier than ever before, raising serious concerns.
Here’s why teens are particularly vulnerable:
Emotions on Overdrive: The adolescent limbic system craves rewards, and gambling apps deliver— flashing notifications, unpredictable wins, and dopamine hits make gambling dangerously addictive.
Impulse vs. Judgment: Teens' underdeveloped prefrontal cortex means poor risk assessment and impulsive decisions. The result? A perfect storm for risky and consequential bets.
Game-Like Traps: Sports betting platforms hook teens with free bets, streak rewards, and dynamic visuals, exploiting the same brain circuits that make video games and nicotine hard to quit.
Cultural Normalization: Advertising and “sponsored content” portray gambling as fun and social, glamorizing the habit and drawing teens into the illusion of control over inherently unpredictable outcomes.
How Can We Address Student Gambling?
The way gambling rewires the brain’s reward system mirrors the effects of substance use, fostering a dependency on dopamine surges and driving compulsive behaviors. With the growing prevalence of student gambling and its clear parallels to addiction, it’s critical to shift focus toward proactive, targeted prevention strategies that address these risks head-on.
At Prevention Ed, we’re tackling student gambling in the classroom. Here’s how:
Exploring the Brain Science: By teaching teens how gambling manipulates their reward systems, we empower them to understand how these platforms exploit their vulnerabilities.
Building Awareness: We expose the tactics used by gambling platforms, helping students recognize and resist these manipulative strategies.
Secondary Prevention: We guide students on recognizing the signs of problematic gambling behavior and provide resources for seeking help, fostering a supportive environment where they feel empowered to reach out when needed.
Addressing gambling prevention alongside substance use education is essential to safeguarding students' health and well-being. Using the latest research, we can empower schools to build awareness, foster resilience, and equip students with the tools to make healthier choices. Together, we can create a lasting impact—reach out today to learn how we can support these efforts. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.