TLDR
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board launched “What’s Really at Stake” campaign targeting underage gambling during March Madness
- 75% of U.S. college students gambled in the past year according to CollegeGambling.org
- 58% of 18–22-year-olds engaged in sports betting per a 2023 NCAA report
- Illegal and unregulated gambling sites are cited as a major driver of youth gambling
- Calls to Pennsylvania’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline from young people have increased in recent years
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched a new advertising campaign aimed at reducing underage gambling. The initiative is called “What’s Really at Stake” and it went live during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
The timing is no accident. March Madness is one of the biggest betting events of the year in the United States. The NCAA basketball tournaments draw massive wagering activity across the country.
The campaign uses social media, online ads, promotional materials, and a dedicated website at WhatsReallyatStake.com. All resources are available for free download by schools, counselors, and individuals.
PGCB executive director Kevin O’Toole said the agency’s main mission is to protect the public. He said that mission now includes a focus on young people who may be exposed to gambling at an early age.
O’Toole pointed to the spread of illegal and unregulated gambling websites as a key factor. He said licensed operators in Pennsylvania have tools to block underage users, but unregulated sites do not carry those protections.
Research Shows Youth Gambling Rates Are High
Data cited by the PGCB paints a concerning picture. According to CollegeGambling.org, 75% of U.S. college students gambled in the past year, either legally or illegally.
Of those students, 18% gambled weekly or more often. Only 22% of U.S. colleges and universities have formal gambling policies in place.
A 2023 NCAA report found that 58% of people aged 18 to 22 engaged in sports betting. Among that group, 6% reported losing more than $500 in a single day.
The NCAA report also found that just 14% of men and 16% of women said they know where to find help for gambling problems.
AddictionCenter.com reported that 6% of college students meet the criteria for a serious gambling problem. That rate is nearly double the 3% risk level found among U.S. adults overall.
Research from Mass.gov found that 33.7% of youth under 18 gambled over the course of a year. A Common Sense Media study showed that more than one in three boys aged 11 to 17 gambled in the past year.
Helpline Calls From Young People Are Rising
Josh Ercole, executive director of Pennsylvania’s Council on Compulsive Gambling, said more young people are now reaching out for help. He said calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline involving young individuals in Pennsylvania have gone up in recent years.
Ercole said the increased availability of unregulated online gambling is a driving factor. He warned that even seemingly innocent games can lead to future gambling problems when young people are exposed early.
The campaign also targets family members and educators, not just young gamblers themselves. The goal is to start open conversations about the risks of gambling at a young age.
The PGCB noted that additional problem gambling resources are available on its ResponsiblePlay.pa.gov website. The site offers tools and information for anyone seeking help.
This campaign follows a recent expansion of resources developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Those materials are designed to help parents and educators protect children from gambling risks and are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
