Resources: Gambling

As attitudes shift and laws evolve, behaviors once considered taboo, such as sports betting and cannabis use, have become commonplace. Many young adults engage in sports betting for entertainment or to enhance their experience of sporting events, while others turn to cannabis for experimentation, socialization, and stress relief. However, emerging research highlights the risks associated with repeated cannabis use and sports betting, may contribute to addiction cycles and broader public health concerns.

This presentation will review the latest research on the relationship between gambling behaviors and cannabis use among young adults. Findings from a longitudinal study of young adult sports bettors (N=210, ages 18-29, across 35 states) will be discussed, shedding light on patterns of engagement, risk factors, and co-occurring behaviors.

College administers and prevention specialists will gain insights into these emerging trends and the implications for young adults navigating their early years of financial independence. The session will also suggest the need for evidence-based prevention strategies to help mitigate the risks associated with sports betting and cannabis use in college populations.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key trends in sports betting and cannabis use among young adults, including how changing policies and social norms impact behavior.
• Examine recent research findings on the intersection of gambling behaviors and substance use.
• Discuss potential prevention strategies and intervention approaches that college prevention specialists could implement to address the growing risks associated with sports betting and cannabis use.

Presenter:
Michael A. Buzzelli, MA, MPH, OCPS

In developing a problem gambling program with colleges and universities; where do you start? Who do you work with? While professionals in the problem gambling field have known for years that college and university students are at an increased risk for developing problem gambling behaviors, few have been able to get effective and sustainable programs off the ground. These professionals typically receive the same responses of “our students don’t gamble” or more often “we have bigger fish to fry.” When developing a problem gambling program with colleges and universities we can’t just focus on the sports brackets, fantasy leagues and poker Chips, we must also address the Fish. This session will discuss the necessity of integrating problem gambling programming into campus life issues including substance use, mental health, finances, peer support and wellness and highlight key student populations to collaborate with when developing these programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will have discussed the current landscape of gambling in Ohio, what has been done in the collegiate atmosphere, and what needs must still be addressed.
2. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to explain strategies in creating college and university buy-in around impactful and sustainable problem gambling programming.
3. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will have developed a stronger sense of responsibility to integrate problem gambling into new or existing programming.