How Sports Betting Is Becoming Part of Everyday College Life

by Hannah Traczynski

If you’ve watched any football, basketball, baseball or hockey game recently, you’ve probably noticed something different. The commercials aren’t just about cars or food anymore; they’re about odds boosts, bonus bets and same-game parlays.

Dave Hutson

Even during time-outs or halftime, analysts reference betting lines like it’s just another stat. Sports betting isn’t separate from sports anymore; it’s built into the experience.

As Dr. Dave Hutson, chair of the Department of Sport Studies, said, “Now it’s everywhere. You can’t watch a game without seeing odds, betting lines or promotions; it’s become part of the experience.”

BETTING ON SPORTS USED TO BE ILLEGAL

What many people don’t realize is how recent this shift actually is. For years, sports betting was illegal across most of the United States. Hutson said, “Sports betting was illegal

at the federal level, and the government used a mix of laws like wire fraud to enforce that.” In 1992, a federal law restricted sports gambling to only a handful of states, with Nevada serving as the primary place where it was broadly permitted.

Everything changed in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Murphy v. NCAA, a landmark case that changed sports betting laws across the country, giving states the power to decide for themselves. “Once that decision came down, it was like a domino effect; state after state started legalizing sports betting,” Hutson said.

MICHIGAN LEGALIZES SPORTS BETTING

Michigan launched online sports betting in early 2021, and since then, it has grown fast. In 2025, the industry took in $3.8 billion in Michigan, according to the Michigan Gaming

Control Board.

For college students, this shift feels even more obvious. Betting apps are easy to download, simple to use, and constantly advertised. A 2023 NCAA survey found that

58% of 18-to 22-year-olds have participated in sports betting, with even higher numbers

among students living on campus.

Hutson points out that today’s betting is different from the past because “you’re not just placing one bet before a game, you can keep betting throughout the entire game.” That constant access makes it much easier to get pulled in. It’s not hard to see why it appeals to students. Betting can make a game more exciting, even if it’s just $5 or $10. It’s also social — friends compare bets, talk about spreads, and celebrate wins together. It can feel like just another part of sports culture.

SPORTS BETTING IS NOW 24/7

But that’s also where some concerns come in. A BBC Reel feature described sports

gambling as being “everywhere,” raising questions about how constant exposure

might affect people long-term. When betting companies sponsor teams and appear in

every commercial break, it starts to feel less like gambling and more like part of game.

The effect on the integrity of sports is also concerning. Gambling has historically been associated with scandals in which players or teams were allegedly influenced to change outcomes.

“Sports are entertaining because we don’t know the outcome. If that outcome is being influenced by money, it creates a serious ethical problem,” Hutson said. If that unpredictability disappears, it changes what sports are supposed to be.

Another big difference today is how fast everything happens. Instead of placing one bet before a game, people can now place dozens during it on plays, players or even the next possession. That constant interaction increases how often people bet and how much they spend.

ANOTHER TROUBLING ADDICTION

Researchers report that gambling can become an addiction, according to the JAMA Health Forum. Studies show it activates the brain’s reward system in similar ways to drugs or alcohol. “You win once or twice and start thinking you’re good at it, that’s when it can turn into a problem,” Hutson said.

For college students, especially, that can be risky. Most students are already dealing with financial stress because they are balancing tuition, rent and other expenses. Even small bets can turn into real losses over time. Hutson warns: “You can lose a lot of money in a hurry, especially if you don’t set limits.” Sports betting also impacts college athletes. The NCAA has reported that athletes are facing more harassment from bettors upset about outcomes. When money is involved, reactions can become more intense, which

adds pressure to athletes who are still just students.

At the same time, not everyone who bets has a problem. For many people, it’s just entertainment. The bigger issue is how it’s being used and how easy it is to access. Setting limits and knowing when to stop can make a big difference. “Legally, students are allowed to bet if it’s permitted in their state, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good decision,” Hutson said.

Setting limits and knowing when to stop can make a big difference. “Legally, students are

allowed to bet if it’s permitted in their state, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good decision,” Hutson said.

As sports betting continues to grow, it’s becoming harder to separate it from sports altogether. For our generation, betting apps are just another app on our phones. But that convenience comes with responsibility. worth asking: are we watching for the love of the game, or just for the payout?