According to a study by the University of Mississippi, nearly 60% of Mississippi college students who gambled in the past year placed online bets with ‘legal’ sportsbooks, despite mobile sports betting being illegal statewide.
Key Takeaways
- Study finds almost 60% of student gamblers placed online bets despite Mississippi’s mobile betting ban.
- Between 4,700 and 6,400 students may have serious gambling issues.
- 10% of sports bettors showed moderate risk; 6% met problem gambling criteria.
The survey of nearly 1,600 students found that some used VPNs to access the gambling platforms. About 32% stated using friends or family to place bets, while 18% had bet in person at casinos, 15% used offshore sportsbooks, and another 15% placed bets with illegal bookies.
“Our students are showing similar patterns to those identified by the NCAA and seen nationally, including that legality doesn’t make a difference with college students,” said Dan Durkin, an associate professor of social work.
Researchers also revealed that between 4,700 and 6,400 students at Mississippi’s public universities face serious gambling issues, with up to 30% potentially developing a gambling disorder. Moreover, they found 10% of sports bettors had a moderate risk for problem gambling, whereas 6% met the criteria for problem gambling.
The top gambling activity was sports betting, followed by lottery tickets and card games. NFL and college football are among the most popular sports to bet on, with monthly spending of around $100. Male students, white students, students living off campus, athletes, members of Greek life, and students with higher GPAs were among the top wagerers.
Durkin said any legalization should include funding for addiction treatment paid for by gambling tax revenue, following examples in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. “They need to tax the people who are causing the problems to fund fixing them,” he said.
Online Mississippi sports betting effort fails again
Despite student betting, a new attempt to make online Mississippi sports betting legal has failed, along with legislation to outlaw online sweepstakes casinos.
Senate Bill 2510, aimed initially at defining illegal gambling and prohibiting sweepstakes casinos, was changed in the House to include online sports betting language after a separate House bill died in the Senate.
Mississippi has allowed in-person sports betting since 2018, but despite broad House support, constant efforts to expand to online sportsbooks have been hindered.
NCAA council proposes allowing betting on pro sports
Following the Mississippi student betting study, the NCAA Division I Council has proposed a plan to allow student-athletes and staff to bet on professional sports while maintaining a ban on college sports wagering.
The measure would take effect only if Divisions II and III also approve it.
Council chair Josh Whitman said the discussion reflects shifting national attitudes toward sports betting, while NCAA officials stressed harm-reduction strategies. The proposal is not retroactive and will only apply to activities after its effective date.
