Problem Gambling Concerns for Youth and Young Adults in Florida’s Changing Landscape

In recent years, the landscape of gambling has dramatically shifted, particularly with the legalization of online sports betting in Florida. This change has opened up a world of potential risks, especially for our youth and young adults who are now more vulnerable than ever to the dangers of problem gambling.

At the same time, today’s youth and young adults are being exposed to online sports betting advertisements and activities at an alarming rate. This is particularly concerning, because the brain remains vulnerable and continues developing until around the age of 25. During this critical period, young people are more prone to risk-taking behaviors in various aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, many parents and guardians may lack awareness or information about this growing issue, leaving them unprepared to address it effectively.

The Impact of Legalized Online Sports Betting

The introduction of online sports betting in Florida has had a significant impact on young adults, including college students.[1] According to recent data, calls to Florida’s 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine doubled in mid-December 2023, shortly after the launch of Hard Rock Bet, with young men making up a large portion of these calls. This surge in accessibility has made it incredibly easy for young people to engage in betting activities, often without fully understanding the potential consequences. Contacts to the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine since legalization demonstrate that Florida’s young adults are increasingly developing problems with gambling:

Demographics of Online Sports Bettors Experiencing Problems Since Legalization in Florida

• Amongst those engaged only in online sports wagering, the vast majority were male (97%), White (48%), and 30 years of age or younger (66%). The average reported income of online sports betters during the 2024 calendar year was $108,853, considerably more than the prior year ($62,479 in 2023).
  
  
• Online sports bettors continue to be predominantly younger than gamblers of other types, with the largest share, both pre (30%) AND post-legalization (43%), falling in the 25 and under age range.
  
  
• Data with respect to the reported age of initiation of gambling and when it first became a problem revealed that 82% of online sports bettors this year (and more than twice as many as prior to sports betting legalization in the state) started gambling before age 26.  Further, during the most recent 2024 calendar year, more than half (51%) of sports bettors started gambling at or before the age of 20.

The Research Shows College Students are a High-Risk Population That’s Drawn to Online Sports Wagering

While the FCCG conducted its prevalence study among college students in 2008, and gambling has expanded significantly since this time, the survey found that Florida college students then had twice the number of problem gamblers than previous adult research. In addition, college students were twice as likely to be classified as gambling addicts. More specifically, they were twice as likely compared to adolescents, and four times as likely as adults to be disordered gamblers (referred at the time of the research as pathological gamblers). In addition, those students experiencing gambling-related problems were more likely to report abusing illegal substances (i.e. cocaine) and prescription drugs, to have more mental health disorders, and were more likely to report having relatives with gambling problems.  They were also far less likely to seek help. (This is generally true, in that few adolescents and college students seek help for gambling treatment.)

It is further important to note that this independent research sponsored by the FCCG in July 2008 among Florida college students revealed that “sports-related gambling emerged as a very popular form of gambling amongst male students.” When considering the rates of participation for all three types of gambling [placing bets on professional (26.0%) and non-professional (18.1%) teams as well as participating in sports pools (17.9%)], the popularity of this pastime becomes evident. In short, it was estimated that approximately 21,000 Florida college students were likely experiencing “significant” gambling and gambling-related problems in 2008. Again, this was before the proliferation of various forms of gambling now accessible by this population and others.

Equally alarming is Florida college students are significantly more at-risk for developing gambling problems than adult residents (14.5% vs. 7.1%), and 5.2% of state university students are classified as problem or disordered gamblers. Based upon these findings from research conducted over a decade ago, measured against Florida Board of Governor’s numbers of enrolled students in state universities in Florida, approximately 50,000 college students are already experiencing some of the symptoms listed in the diagnostic criteria for disordered gambling.

Additionally, sports betting was the number two form of gambling engaged in by problem and disordered college student gamblers. More specifically, 47.1% reported wagering on professional sports, 34.3% on non-professional sports games, and 33% in sports event pools. Further, among these populations, 37.4% gambled on the Internet. The same was true for adolescent (underage) compulsive gamblers, who identified sports betting as the number two most common form of gambling.

What Florida Research Revealed About Youth Gambling Risk

Let’s not forget about youth and adolescents. With Florida’s gambling landscape continuing to grow, problem gambling prevention efforts are now more important than ever.

• Florida prevalence research revealed 18.5% of adolescents ages 13-17 reported purchasing lottery tickets in their lifetime and 12.5% within the past year. [3]
  
• Lifetime participation in gambling was almost 70% among Florida residents, ages 13 to 17. [3]
  
• Over 40% reported gambling in the past year and 11.5% identified as weekly gamblers. [3]
  
• Adolescent problem gamblers also had much higher rates of alcohol, drug, and tobacco use. [3]

Seeking Help: The 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available. The 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine offers confidential, multilingual support 24/7 for anyone in Florida dealing with gambling-related issues. This service provides access to youth-specific resources and programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by young gamblers.

To get help, simply call or text 888-ADMIT-IT (236-4848). You can also access the FCCG’s free youth-specific problem gambling screening tool here: https://gamblinghelp.org/youth-impacted-by-problem-gambling/.

Likewise, if you’re a Florida professional who works with college students, adolescents, or youth, the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine has literature, materials, and prevention programs for you, too. Learn more here: https://gamblinghelp.org/prevention/.

Free youth-specific resource referrals available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine include:

• Youth Specific Mental Health & Treatment Services – Online Gaming/Social/Video Gaming Addiction – Non-Gambling Specific
• Online/Mobile/Video & Social Casino Gaming & Gambling Self-Exclusion Programs – Internet/Video Game Controls & Web Blocking Software
• Smartphone Addiction Help Guide – Smartphone & Internet Addiction tools, resources, & support groups
• Online Websites & Forum Resources for Youth & Parents
• FCCG Website – Youth Assessment
• FCCG Literature/Materials – Youth Specific: for Youth Gamblers, their Loved ones, and Professionals (Youth Service Providers)

Free college-specific resource referrals available through 888-ADMIT-IT include:

• College Student Mental Health Services (Counseling Centers at Colleges/Universities) – Non-Gambling Specific
• FCCG Website – College Student Online Assessment
• Literature/Materials – College Specific: College Workbook & Other Brochures/Newsletters/Fact Sheets/Toolkits for College Student Gamblers, their Loved Ones, and Professionals (College Faculty/ Staff)

Remember, recognizing the problem is the first step towards recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out – help and hope are just a phone call or text away.

By raising awareness about the risks of problem gambling among youth and promoting available resources, we can work together to protect our young people from the potentially devastating effects of gambling addiction. Let’s shine a light on this issue and ensure that our youth have the support they need to make informed decisions about gambling.

[1] Kaufman, Natalie. “What’s behind the Meteoric Rise of Online Gambling among College Men?” The Independent Florida Alligator, 22 Oct. 2024, www.alligator.org/article/2024/10/online-sports-gambling.
[2] Gupta, R. & Derevensky, J. International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors, McGill University and Center for Research, Evaluation, Assessment and Measurement (CREAM) Department of Africana Studies at the University of South Florida (2008). Gambling and Problem Gambling Prevalence Among College Students in Florida.
[3] Shapira, N. A., Ferguson, M. A., Frost-Pineda, K., & Gold, M. S. (2002). Gambling and Problem Gambling Prevalence among Adolescents in Florida.