How much is too much when it comes to betting on sports games? For a tradition as old as the games played, a student’s point of view was much needed.
Sophomore Ethan Trusty has not ever bet on a game himself but a lot of his friends do it all the time.
“The Eagles vs Cowboys game, my friend bet ten dollars on the eagles to win but they lost,” said Trusty. “I’ve been to some other schools and it’s like always sit down on Sunday nights and have bets on every single football game.” For him if he ever was to bet on a game he would bet what he’s most comfortable with and to start small.
Is betting on sports an addictive activity or fun spare time hobby? For Tyler Chamberlain, freshman, it is a hobby of his. Most recently he bet $200 on the Denver Broncos to win against the Green bay Packers and won.
“The most I ever bet was when Ohio State played Virginia Tech. I bet about seven things on the game and that was about 1,100 total. I ended up walking away with 450 in winnings,” Chamberlain said
When asked if betting is addictive, Chamberlainsaid, “It’s definitely addicting whether you win or lose because when you win you feel like you’re on fire so you just bet more. When you lose you do the same thing bet more until you win your money back or not.”
According to ncpgambling.org, about 67% of all students bet on sports and 85% of American adults have gambled at least once in their lifetime. If it is a hobby for some, it certainly is a popular hobby.
Kayla Byrd, a sophomore, early childhood education major, said, “I don’t bet on any sports games at all because it is illegal when it’s for money and not for fun only.”
She does not have the time to follow sports professionally.
“I don’t think that sports betting is huge on campus,” Byrd said. “I don’t hear of people doing it at all so it not as big as it probably is on other schools campuses.”
Gambling on sports is not something that just occurs on campus illegally. It is also frequent in places like Vegas or other casino towns.
“Living in Atlantic City I know that gambling on sports is a big thing going on under the table, since it is not yet legal in New Jersey,” Mike Schugar, senior human resources major, said. “It isn’t something I have ever been a part of. Managing my money with it, the fact that is illegal, just a few of the reasons I’ve never got involved. It seems that most illegal gambling comes from people with a low income. Managing their money while gambling must not be easy. It is definitely more about the money than the fun in Atlantic City.”
Gambling is just one of many addictions in the country. Just like all addictions managing money can begin to be a problem at some point.
