The recent legalization of sports betting in Kansas has led to massive growth in people gambling on sports. According to the Beacon, the number of people sports betting has almost tripled since 2017. However, it is not just adults who are betting. Many students have started sports betting illegally without understanding the full risks of doing so. 

Although it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to sports bet in Kansas, treating sports betting as a taboo topic will not deter high schoolers from wanting to do it. The more that teenagers are educated on the topic and its risks, the better they understand how it could impact them. Students need to be informed and aware of the risks and understand their personal limits when betting. 

Sports betting appeals to students in different ways, with a major reason being its appearance as a quick and easy way to win money. Not only is it popular online, which makes it accessible and more convenient to bet, it also acts as a conversation starter and a way to bond with others over a shared topic. These factors may draw high schoolers in and keep them betting. 

Despite its popularity and convenience, sports betting is still gambling, which gives students the illusion of control and acts as a pipeline to other addictions. The Addiction Center states that sports betting can act as a reward system for the brain, behaving similarly to addictive substances. 

Students should be able to understand their limits for spending to avoid addictive behaviors. They should give themselves a maximum amount of money to bet, and be able to cut themselves off to avoid spending too much. Placing limits can help them avoid losing too much money or falling into these harmful, addictive patterns. 

Along with that, students should also be open to having conversations about betting, whether that be with friends or family, to avoid the shame that could surround the topic. Being informed and open about the subject allows for conversation and removes the forbidden appeal of betting.

For those who illegally sports bet, it’s important to place hard limits and stay educated on the risks of doing so to prevent harmful behaviors and avoid potential addiction.