How to Talk to Your College Student About Sports Betting

The conversation is easier before there's a problem than after.

How common it is

In an NCAA survey of 18 to 22 year olds, 58% had done at least one sports betting activity, and 67% of students living on campus had bet on sports. Among college student bettors, 35% had used a student bookie. 16% of respondents reported at least one risky gambling behavior, and 6% had lost more than $500 in a single day.

Most students who bet do it on a phone, so nothing about it is visible from home.

Signs you might notice

• Asking for money more often, with vague answers about where it went.
• Moods that rise and fall with game results.
• Constant checking of scores or odds, even during family time.
• New apps they don't want to talk about.
• Grades or work slipping.

One sign alone means little. Several over a few weeks are worth a conversation.

Start before they leave

Oregon health officials have urged parents to talk about betting before students head to campus, and to keep the conversation open after. You don't need to be an expert. Ask what they've seen at school, whether friends bet, and what they think about it. Share that bookies run on credit and that parlays lose far more often than the screenshots suggest.

If you're worried now

Pick a calm moment, not right after a big loss. Say what you noticed and that you care, then ask and listen: "You've asked for money a few times lately and you seem stressed on game days. I'm not upset. How are things going with the betting?"

Then offer one next step, like their campus counseling center or calling 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) together. Many schools offer counseling at no extra cost to students.

What to avoid

• Quietly paying off debts. It takes away the pressure that could lead to change, and the money often goes back into betting.
• Lectures about the odds. They usually lead to defending, not listening.
• Threats you won't follow through on. Set limits you'll keep, like not sending extra money.

Support for you

Worrying about your child is hard. The 60-day family plan in Unbettable starts with support for you, then helps you protect your money and talk in a way that can be heard. Gam-Anon has meetings for family members, and the national helpline takes calls from families too.

FAQ

My student says everyone bets. Is that true?

It's common, but it isn't everyone. Pew Research found 31% of adults 18 to 29 bet on sports in the past year, so most young adults don't.

Should I take away their access to money?

Protect your own money first: separate accounts, no shared cards, no new loans. Covering rent or food directly can be safer than sending cash.

What if they deny it?

Leave the door open. Say you're there when they want to talk, and check in again in a week or two.

Written by the Unbettable team · Updated October 15, 2026

Sources: NCAA sports wagering survey, 2023; Daily Tidings: Oregon health officials on college sports betting, 2025; Pew Research Center, 2025; Gam-Anon.

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