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State of Play’s TL;DR
- The House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing on sports gambling on college campuses.
- Rep. Michael Baumgartner cited a 2023 NCAA survey showing 16% of students living on campus had shown problem gambling behaviors.
- Sports Betting Dime reported that several hearing witnesses called for banning college player prop bets.
Gaps in gambling education and student support took center stage at a House hearing on sports betting on college campuses. According to a survey cited by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), vice chair of its Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, only 3% of college administrators said their institutions had updated financial literacy or orientation materials with gambling resources and education.
The hearing brought together concerns about students’ finances, access to counseling and the pressure that betting can place on college athletes.
Campus education trails gambling risks
In prepared remarks published by the Committee on Education & the Workforce, Baumgartner contrasted gambling prevention with other established campus programs.
“Many colleges already have systems in place to educate students about alcohol and substance use. The same is not yet true for gambling,”
he said.
Baumgartner cited a 2023 NCAA survey showing that 67% of students living on campus had bet on sports, and 6% reported losing more than $500 in a single day.
According to the Committee on Education & the Workforce, Baumgartner also said students who gambled online were 10% more likely to report difficulty paying basic expenses, including medication, transportation and housing. He said the NCAA requires gambling education for student-athletes, but the general student body largely lacks the same information and resources.
Counseling referrals may miss students who need help
Dr. Daniel Durkin, an associate professor of social work at the University of Mississippi, testified at the hearing, NewsNation reported.
Durkin said the university’s counseling center had received only six gambling-related referrals as of Nov. 5, 2026, most from parents.
“That does not mean only six students need help,”
Durkin said. He explained that students might receive care elsewhere, fail to recognize a gambling problem or hesitate to seek assistance.
College player bets draw scrutiny
Sports Betting Dime reported that several witnesses called for banning college player prop bets. These wagers are placed on an individual athlete’s performance.
According to NewsNation, Durkin described harassment and threats against student-athletes connected to those bets. He said athletes can face pressure to alter their performance, including requests to miss a free throw or two.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources: As reported by Committee on Education & Workforce, Sports Betting Dime, NewsNation, CDC Gaming Reports and CRUX.
