Two parallel surveys conducted by Inside Higher Ed provide new data on digital wagering among college students and institutional responses to the trend. The student survey included 5,034 respondents from 310 mostly public two- and four-year institutions earlier this month, while the institutional survey of student success administrators is forthcoming next month with 271 respondents.
The student findings indicate that 15 percent of undergraduates have participated in online sports betting, prediction-market trading, or other digital wagering since enrolling at their institution. Participation rates are notably higher among men at 25 percent compared to 33 percent for women. The behavior extends beyond traditional college-age students, with 12 percent of undergraduates aged 25 and older reporting online wagering. Additionally, approximately 30 percent of students report knowing peers who have experienced financial distress or academic problems resulting from wagering losses. Students who have engaged in online wagering report higher rates of struggling to afford basic needs at 66 percent compared to 60 percent among those who have not wagered.
Student perceptions of institutional response reveal significant concern. Nearly half of male undergraduates and one-third of female students agree their institution is not adequately addressing digital wagering as a problem. This perception is consistent across institution types, with 40 percent of four-year institution students and 30 percent of community college students expressing this view. Notably, students who have wagered online are somewhat more likely to believe their institution should prioritize the issue more seriously.
On the institutional side, most colleges and universities appear to be minimizing attention to the issue. Fifty-six percent of student success administrators indicate their division does not currently view or track digital wagering as a priority problem, with an additional 24 percent uncertain about their institution’s approach. Only 11 percent of administrators characterize the issue as an escalating crisis affecting student mental health or financial safety. Very few institutions have updated financial literacy or orientation programming to address wagering risks, with only 3 percent reporting such changes.
Four percent of student success leaders also report that student athletes or athletic programs have experienced disruptions or compliance issues related to sports betting. These findings come as digital wagering through platforms like FanDuel, DraftKings, Kalshi, and Polymarket has increased substantially in recent years, accompanied by significant marketing on social media and sports broadcasts.
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