A troubling tendency among college students in the state is shown by recent statistics issued by the Nevada Council on Problem gaming: almost 20% of them use their financial aid dollars for gaming. Ted Hartwell, the executive director of the council, emphasized the seriousness of this problem and the harm that gambling does to a lot of young people.
Around two-thirds of college students, according to Hartwell, bet on sports, a tendency made worse by the growing sports gambling market throughout the country. But along with this expansion, there is also a rise in gambling-related issues, which speaks to a larger social anxiety.
Nevada native Saul Malek talked about his own experience overcoming a gambling addiction. As he thought back on his previous difficulties, Malek described how, starting in his sophomore year, he fell victim to addiction. He underlined how gambling was a big part of his life and how it had negative effects.
Call for Awareness
Hartwell stressed the importance of responsible gambling practices, urging individuals to only gamble with disposable income. However, he noted a troubling trend wherein students use funds intended for education to fuel their gambling habits, exacerbating the issue.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Hartwell called for increased awareness and proactive measures to address problem gambling among college students. He advocated for educational institutions to incorporate gambling-related questions into health assessments, enabling early detection and intervention.
Hartwell also saw an increase in calls to hotline dedicated to gambling addiction, especially after the start of the COVID-19 epidemic. This increase highlights the rising incidence of addiction in Nevada and the United States as a whole.
In the face of these obstacles, legislators, academic institutions, and community groups must work together to address problem gambling among college students in order to protect the wellbeing of young adults.
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