Key Moments:High school students in New York have increasingly engaged in sports betting, often using their savings or bar mitzvah fundsThe New York Council on Problem Gambling estimates up to 90% of students have gambled in the past yearExperts attribute part of the problem to widespread gambling advertisements targeting younger audiencesUnderage Betting Despite Legal Restrictions
The participation of high school students in sports betting has grown significantly across New York, with teenagers reportedly dipping into personal savings to fund their bets. As highlighted by a New Yorker report, gambling has now taken root within some school communities, raising alarms for educators, parents, and gambling prevention advocates.
A 17-year-old identified as Max discussed the issue, explaining that events like the Super Bowl have turned from social occasions into evenings marked by frustration over failed bets. “Kids take money out of savings accounts or bar mitzvah accounts for betting,” Max told the publication. “I know kids who stay up super late and sacrifice their grades to watch sports across the country, just because they can bet on it.”
Widespread Influence and Circumventing the Age Barrier
Although New York law prohibits sports betting for anyone under 21, many teenagers continue to find avenues for participation. The New Yorker report cited the frequent use of platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel among students. However, due to strict penalties for underage betting imposed on these companies, teens are believed to be accessing wagers through older intermediaries or unregulated offshore sites.
The New York Council on Problem Gambling has estimated that as many as 90% of high school students have gambled at least once over the past year. Keith Whyte, president of the National Council on Problem Gambling, told the publication that around 5% of children between 12 and 17 meet the criteria for problem gambling, representing a 400% rise in recent years.
GroupStatisticHigh School Students (New York)Up to 90% have gambled in the past yearChildren aged 12-17 (Problem Gambling Criteria)5% meet criteria, a 400% increase in recent yearsHealth Risks and Classroom Impact
Whyte explained that adolescents are especially susceptible to addiction due to the ongoing development of their risk-reward brain mechanisms. “They feel like they have some sophistication and can beat the system,” he said. “It’s the mindset of teenage boys — they feel like, ‘I’m smarter than adults, I can figure this out.’” He noted that this confidence could result in persistent issues with impulse control and risky financial behavior.
Max further described gambling as ever-present at school: “At school, it’s all kids with their gambling apps in class. And it never stops because it’s football season, then basketball, then baseball,” he said.
Role of Advertising and Policy Concerns
Experts have cited the frequent exposure to gambling promotion through television, streaming services, and sports commentary as a contributing factor to the normalization of betting among teens. Despite persistent calls for increased federal regulation of such advertisements, there has been little political momentum in this area.
As gambling remains readily available and highly visible, concerns have intensified about teenagers risking future financial stability for potential short-term gains. For many, including Max’s classmates, what started as enthusiasm for sports has become a pattern of high-risk behavior with uncertain long-term effects.
Daniel Williams has started his writing career as a freelance author at a local paper media. After working there for a couple of years and writing on various topics, he found his interest for the gambling industry.
