Sports Betting: Risks & Ripple Effects Teach-Out

Introduction to Mental Health Considerations

Sports betting raises important mental health concerns, particularly for emerging and young adults navigating belonging, risk, stress, academics, and identity development. In this module, we will discuss:

• How gambling exists on the spectrum of behavioral addictions;
• The relationship between sports betting and alcohol;
• Why young adults face heightened vulnerability due to brain development, social context, and 24/7 online access;
• How technology design and constant availability can accelerate harmful patterns before they are easily recognized;
• Prevention, screening, and harm-reduction approaches that address gambling across a spectrum of risk; and
• Policy responses that focus on early intervention, reducing harm, and supporting individuals and communities before problems escalate.