As thousands of Oregon students head to college, many will live away from parental oversight for the first time. With the return of football and other sports, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is raising awareness about a growing trend–increasing sports betting among young adults–and encouraging families to talk about gambling risks before students leave home.
“Many states are dealing with the rise in sports betting among college students, and Oregon is right there with them,” said Greta Coe, problem gambling program manager at OHA. “We have to start talking about risky behaviors early on and make sure young people know there’s support if gambling becomes a problem.”
A 2023 NCAA survey found that sports gambling is widespread among college students, with 67% of college students living on campus admitting to placing sports bets. Additionally, 16% reported engaging in at least one risky gambling behavior, and 6% said they lost more than $500 in a single day.
To address this growing concern, OHA encourages young people to connect with these free resources:
- GamFin is a confidential counseling service that helps individuals and families navigate gambling-related financial challenges.
- Evive App offers personalized support whether someone wants to manage their gambling, reduce it, or stop entirely.
“I encourage people to keep the lines of communication open with those they care about,” said Coe. “If it seems like sports betting may be becoming a problem, don’t hesitate to reach out. Help is available, and you are not alone.”
For more information, visit Oregon’s gambling support resources website at opgr.org. Watch this video for resources
