University of Mississippi Researchers Warn of Problem Gambling Risk Among State’s College Students

A study by the University of Mississippi surveyed students from seven in-state schools and found that 39% “gambled in a variety” of ways in the past year. Among those engaged in sports betting, 6% met the “criteria for problem gambling” as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.

Besides Ole Miss, the study included students from Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Hannah Allen, executive director of the university’s William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing, noted that betting is more prevalent among certain student groups.

“We found that gambling was more prevalent among students who were male, white, lived off campus, participated in sports (including club and intramural sports), and were involved in Greek life,” Allen said.

Sports Bettors Get Action Despite State’s Lack of Legal Online Betting

Mobile sports betting is currently illegal in Mississippi, but students have found ways to place bets. The majority of students, 57%, who engaged in sports betting did so “online through a sportsbook in the U.S. or Canada, with the remaining betting” at offshore books, with a bookie or a casino.

Notably, 60% of students who have gambled placed a bet on a “legal” sportsbook’s website. The survey did not ask whether the respondents had used an illegal platform. That’s because most students either don’t know or don’t care if the sportsbook is legal, according to Dan Durkin, an associate professor of social work.

Ten percent of sports bettors had a “moderate risk” for problem gambling, in addition to the 6% classified as problem gamblers. Allen noted that gambling education needs to be incorporated in “existing wellness programming, such as those focused on alcohol and drug use or on financial wellness.”

She added, “College campuses need improved prevention efforts — that could include health education, media campaigns, access to information and resources for students. There also needs to be increased screening and referral to treatment in our campus counseling and health centers.”

More Students Bet on Lottery & Card Games Than Sports

The study’s findings mirrored those in other parts of the country, with one significant exception. Ole Miss researchers found that students at Mississippi schools “played the lottery and bet on cards slightly more” – 18% and 17%, respectively – than they bet on sports.

Sports betting ranked third among favorite types of gambling at 16%. Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin caused a stir this week when he posted on X: “Take the Over.”

However, Kiffin was referring to the duration of his daughter’s relationship with star linebacker Whit Weeks, not the upcoming game against LSU.