Mizzou Athletics Prepares for Sports Betting Impact on Athlete Mental Health

Missouri voters legalized sports wagering in November 2024 through Amendment 2, which allows betting on in-state collegiate teams, including the Missouri Tigers.

Anticipating the Rise of Harassment

The department is bracing for what it calls “the other side of the story” following the excitement of legalization. Research from the NCAA, released in June 2024, showed that angry bettors are a common source of harassment targeting college athletes. This abuse is expected to increase dramatically once betting goes live.

During the 2025 Men’s March Madness tournament, online abuse surged by 140% compared to the previous year. This rise demonstrates the scale of the problem Mizzou now faces. The legalization allows for wagers on the Tigers and permits proposition bets on professional athlete performance and in-game live betting.

Multi-Faceted Athlete Support Programs

Mizzou Athletics has deployed several strategies to support its student population:

Mizzou Made Mental Health Program

The department created the Mizzou Made Mental Health program specifically for student-athletes. This initiative works with all sports teams to ensure players feel supported and comfortable seeking help. A key objective is teaching athletes how to build a sense of identity and value outside of their athletic performance. This prepares them to handle criticism that attacks their self-worth.

Mental health staff member Brittany Fassbinder noted that athletes spend about 43 hours per week on sports alone. She stressed the importance of remembering the students are human beings outside their respective disciplines.

External Resources and Training

Mizzou Athletics brings in outside organizations to talk to teams about online harassment. These groups provide resources and coach players on how to avoid being influenced by fan comments. The goal is to develop coping skills.

Mizzou basketball players like Jacob Crews and Trent Pierce confirmed the negative effect of fan comments. Pierce admitted receiving social media messages that took him up to “four or five days to recover” from, often making him feel like he had failed the team. As a coping strategy, Pierce avoids social media for most of the season. He advises younger players to turn off comments and filter unwanted messages.

Comprehensive Staff Preparedness

The preparations extend beyond the athletes to the entire staff. Every person involved with Mizzou Athletics, from coaches to dining hall workers, completes a Mental Health First Aid course.

This training teaches staff members how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health disorders and substance use disorders.

The universal training allows personnel to address initial situations, especially when an athlete might be reluctant to seek formal therapy. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has also been supportive, offering guidance to the department throughout the preparation process.