College Park, Md. – On Wednesday, members of the U.S. House of Representatives convened a hearing to address the rapid rise of sports betting on college campuses. The hearing featured testimony from mental‑health experts, university scholars, and industry representatives, all warning that the ease of online wagering is creating a new generation of problem gamblers.
Expert testimony underscores speed and accessibility
Dr. Lindsey Mortenson, Chief Mental Health Officer at the University of Michigan, described how today’s youth can gamble “online, offline, legally, illegally, domestically and offshore” with a few taps on a smartphone. She warned that the speed of modern betting platforms turns small, occasional wagers into large‑scale addiction quickly, potentially producing the largest cohort of problem gamblers in U.S. history.
Survey data reveals widespread betting among students
A recent national survey cited during the hearing found that 67% of college students have placed a sports bet. Of those, nearly 16% exhibited problem‑gambling behaviors such as chasing losses or exceeding their intended spending. Additionally, about 6% reported losing more than $500 in a single day.
Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R‑WA) highlighted a disturbing finding that one in five students have used financial‑aid funds to place bets, underscoring the financial risk to families and the broader community.
Academic perspective on AI‑driven gambling apps
University of Maryland professor Paul Sacco, who studies gambling addiction, explained that many betting apps employ sophisticated artificial‑intelligence algorithms designed to keep users engaged and encourage higher stakes. “The worst‑case scenarios are really bad, and unlike alcohol and drug use, gambling is not self‑limiting,” Sacco said, noting stories of individuals depleting personal savings and even tapping the wealth of loved ones.
Industry response and legislative proposals
DraftKings, one of the nation’s largest sportsbook operators, pushed back on claims that its platforms target vulnerable users with AI. The company emphasized its compliance with existing regulations and its commitment to responsible‑gaming tools.
Several bipartisan bills were introduced to address the issue. Proposals include stricter age‑verification requirements for online betting apps, mandatory warning labels about gambling risks, and limits on the amount of money that can be wagered through accounts linked to student financial‑aid programs. Congressman Ro Khanna (D‑CA) called for an outright congressional ban on prediction markets, arguing that such platforms exacerbate the problem.
Context of national gambling growth
Sports betting is now legal in 39 states. Following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down the federal ban, annual wagering jumped from roughly $5 billion to $167 billion in 2025 – a nearly 3,000% increase in less than a decade. While the industry touts economic benefits, the testimony highlighted the unintended consequences for young adults on college campuses.
What’s next?
The hearing concluded with a call for swift legislative action to protect students while preserving the legitimate economic activity generated by regulated sportsbooks. Lawmakers indicated they will move forward with the bipartisan bills in the coming weeks, aiming to balance personal liberty with responsible safeguards for the nation’s future workforce.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
