Congress recently convened a hearing to address the growing prevalence of sports betting among college students across the United States, spotlighting concerns about underage gambling and the risks it poses.
Since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), sports betting has expanded rapidly, especially on college campuses. Young adults can now place bets conveniently through mobile apps, increasing accessibility but also raising concerns about gambling harm among this demographic.
Jordan Maynard, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), testified before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, sharing data that 71% of Massachusetts residents aged 18 to 25 have engaged in sports betting. Worryingly, a Boston University School of Public Health survey found that 34% of college students using sportsbook apps were under the legal age of 21 in Massachusetts, where the minimum age to wager is strictly enforced.
“We know the younger someone starts betting, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem,“ Maynard said, emphasizing that gambling is intended for adults but young people are targeted across many platforms. The MGC requires licensed sportsbooks to implement age-verification technology, which has successfully blocked over 11,000 underage account attempts. However, proxy betting—where underage individuals use accounts of older friends or family—remains an illegal but persistent issue.
Massachusetts law also prohibits individual collegiate player prop bets and restricts wagering on in-state college sports to reduce risks of player harassment and youth betting on campuses. The state bans sportsbook advertising targeting those under 21 and forbids betting activities on college campuses altogether.
Maynard further highlighted challenges posed by prediction markets, which offer sports-event contracts that resemble wagers but often evade state regulations and consumer protections. These markets complicate enforcement and player safety efforts, as they are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission rather than state gaming authorities. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s ongoing lawsuit against prediction market operator Kalshi reflects these regulatory tensions.
These developments have practical implications for players and bettors. Understanding and adhering to legal age restrictions remains critical, as early exposure to gambling increases the risk of developing gambling problems. Proxy betting and unregulated prediction markets create additional risks, as they operate outside the protections licensed sportsbooks must follow.
The hearing signals increased scrutiny on underage access and the need for robust protections to prevent gambling harm among young adults. Players and consumers should stay informed about the legal landscape and available responsible gambling resources.
For more information on sports betting regulations and responsible gambling, players can visit the GamblingNews.today USA section and the Responsible Gambling page.
Related coverage includes Pennsylvania’s recent enforcement success against illegal skill games, with a 99.4% compliance rate following police action, as reported by CDC Gaming. Additionally, industry developments such as Kambi’s new agreement with Allwyn highlight ongoing changes in sportsbook technology and partnerships (SBC News).
Source: CDC Gaming.
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