(WXIN/WTTV) — Legalized sports betting has changed the world of athletics forever.
This year’s Super Bowl, held in the gambling capital of the world, was proof positive with bettors reportedly wagering a record $23 billion on this year’s game.
Just six years ago, people could legally place a bet on the Super Bowl in just one state: Nevada. Now, it's legal in 38 states including Indiana.
"You used to have to go to Vegas to do the betting and now you can do it from your phone in your car if you want to," said IU Indianapolis sports management lecturer Dr. Geoffre Sherman. "The prevalence is extensive to the point where I'm seeing it in college students."
Indeed, it’s become an even more challenging landscape for many college students, who are often living on a tight budget while away from home for the first time in their lives.
"I think it's everywhere. All my friends do it, I used to do it myself I think it's everywhere now," said IU Indianapolis student Kovey Jeter. "Losing it all on a student's budget [and] not having that much to spend can get real dangerous losing that much money."
So when does it cross the line into something more dangerous? Or even addicting?
That is a question they're asking now on campuses across the country, with one recent study from Indiana University showing that 52% of male students and 31% of female students reported participating in some form of gambling in the past year.
While studies show that 2% to 3% of American adults have a gambling problem, some research suggests that on college campuses the percentage of people addicted to gambling could be twice that amount at as high as 6%.
"I have gotten more frequent calls about that," acknowledged Christina Gray, executive director for the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling.
Gray said it has become a much bigger problem for college students since sports betting went mainstream.
"A lot of times I get calls from the parents because they've realized the child they're sending money to at college has dropped out and is spending all the money they're sending on sports betting," said Gray.
"It can happen to anybody," said board member Chuck Bovis, who is also a recovering gambling addict. "It’s a very tricky disease."
So when does that passion for sports betting become more problematic?
"I started losing more because I wasn't paying attention and it just took me away and then the gambling controlled me," said Bovis. "I would miss all kinds of family events I wouldn't be there very often because I was out of town gambling."
Gray elaborated further.
"The bets get higher, they gamble to escape, they miss family functions," she said. "Those are true problematic gamblers."
IU researcher Dr. Desiree Reynolds has studied the issue closely in recent years.
"They're going to be maybe missing classes, maybe anxiety, depression, obviously money issues," said Reynolds.
Experts said that if someone is isolating themselves when they gamble, or they keep secrets about their losses, it could be a sign that things are becoming problematic. Advocates agreed that it is important to play responsibly.
"You can set limits, limit your time and limit the money you spend," said Gray. "It can be fun and for most people it is, but if you have a problem, there is help out there."
Gray recommended that people use resources on the apps themselves to limit their playing time, such as options that allow you to set time or spending limits. You can even ask the app to ban you from ever wagering in the future.
Here are additional resources for those in need of help:
- Indiana Gambling Help Line: (800) 994-8448
- Text INGAMB to 53342
- National Gambling Help Line: (800) 522-4700
- IndianaProblemGambling.org