SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — In April, Pete Hall began a four-day lesson on gambling prevention with his high school health class by asking students what “sports betting” meant to them.
Responses included fantasy football, money, and social engagement. As Hall, a 40-year-old health and P.E. teacher at Springfield’s Central High School, shared their answers, he noted the adrenaline and excitement described.
Hall explained his personal experiences with gambling — the thrill of winning and the anxiety of losses — which eventually turned compulsive. “I grew up an athlete… Every bet I won got me back to zero dollars,” said Hall about his escalating bets.
Hall considers himself fortunate that his family intervened, leading him to seek help from Gamblers Anonymous. With sports betting legalized in Massachusetts in 2023, he saw an opportunity to contribute to a program aimed at preventing problem gambling among youth.
Since the legalization, Massachusetts joined 39 other states and D.C. in allowing sports betting. A survey revealed about a third of boys aged 11-17 gambled last year. Research indicates young males are especially vulnerable due to peer pressure and the allure of quick money.
Massachusetts is piloting a school-based gambling prevention program, with similar initiatives in Virginia and North Carolina. Marlene Warner, executive director of the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, notes the heightened intensity of gambling due to online platforms.
In 2024, the state formed a Youth Sports Betting Safety Coalition to develop an education and health curriculum targeting ages 12-20. The program focuses on critical thinking about sports betting and has shown promising shifts in student attitudes.
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Virginia’s legislation mandates problem gambling education in schools, while North Carolina funds anti-gambling programs. Massachusetts seeks to expand its curriculum to digital platforms and involve athletes in outreach efforts.
Michael Robb from Common Sense Media emphasizes the public health concern, advocating for parental awareness and educational inclusion. Jeff Derevensky, a gambling prevention expert, underscores the need for more comprehensive education on gambling’s risks.
One student, Phoenix Yates, appreciates the program’s real-life insights, highlighting its effectiveness in deterring risky behavior. As gambling becomes more accessible and socially accepted, education remains key to preventing addiction.
Contact editor Christina A. Samuels at 212-678-3635 or samuels@hechingerreport.org.
This story about boys and gambling problems was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
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