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As many states, including Oregon, grapple with the rise in sports betting among college students, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has encouraged parents to discuss this phenomenon as football and other sports seasons are now starting, with the associated gambling on the games.
OHA is raising awareness about the growing trend, encouraging families to talk about gambling risks before students leave home. A 2023 NCAA survey confirmed sports gambling is widespread among college students and published these statistics:
- 67% of college students living on campus admit to placing sports bets.
- 16% reported engaging in at least one risky gambling behavior.
- 6% said they lost more than $500 in a single day.
Greta Coe, problem gambling program manager at OHA, said, “We have to start talking about risky behaviors early on and make sure young people know there’s support if gambling becomes a problem.”
Coe encouraged people to keep the lines of communication open with those they care about and urged people not to hesitate to reach out for help. OHA suggested young people connect with these free resources:
- GamFin: A confidential counseling service that helps individuals and families navigate gambling-related financial challenges.
- Evive App: Offers personalized support to those who want to manage their gambling, reduce it, or stop entirely.
- Visit Oregon’s gambling support resources website at opgr.org.
- Watch this video for more resources.
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