Ole Miss Study Finds Gambling Widespread Among Mississippi College Students

Gambling Prevalence and Demographics

Researchers found that 39% of students engaged in some form of gambling in the past year. Surprisingly, traditional forms of play edged out sports betting: 18% reported buying lottery tickets, 17% played cards, while 16% wagered on sports.

The study also found clear demographic patterns. Gambling was more common among men, white students, those living off campus, athletes, and members of fraternities and sororities. Sports bettors in particular tended to be younger, male, and enrolled at Division I universities.

“We found that gambling was more prevalent among students who were male, white, lived off campus, participated in sports (including club and intramural sports), and were involved in Greek life,” said Hannah Allen, executive director of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing.

Mobile sports wagering is illegal in Mississippi, yet the research revealed that students continue to find workarounds. A majority of sports bettors (57%) placed their wagers online through U.S. or Canadian sportsbooks. Others used offshore platforms, bet in person with friends or family, or wagered at casinos and through bookies.

Consequences and Risk

The most frequently reported downsides of gambling included losing money, feelings of shame, and regret about betting behavior. Importantly, while nonwhite men were less likely to gamble, they were more likely to suffer negative consequences when they did.

“Although they gamble less, when they do gamble, they experience more consequences from it,” Allen explained. “It’s important to note that not everyone experiences the same level of consequences.”

Alarmingly, 6% of student sports bettors met the criteria for problem gambling as defined by the American Psychiatric Association. Another 10% were classified at moderate risk.

The environment around college campuses appears saturated with betting content. Over one-third of students said they saw sports betting ads daily, while nearly 40% reported weekly exposure. That visibility may contribute to normalization of gambling, researchers warned.

The findings have prompted calls for more proactive prevention and support strategies on campus. Researchers recommended:

• Expanding health education and media campaigns about gambling.

• Offering screening and treatment referrals through campus counseling centers.

• Integrating gambling education into broader wellness programs focused on alcohol, drugs, and financial literacy.

• Encouraging parents to talk openly with their children about gambling.

“We really want parents to start talking to their kids about gambling because we’re finding out more and more that these conversations just aren’t happening,” said Daniela Durkin, associate professor of social work. “A lot of parents just aren’t aware that these problems are developing, and that would just be a good start: just have a conversation.”