News » Gambling problems prevalent in college
A part time job and student loans are not quite enough to pay for bills, school and leisure for many students.More and more college students have turned to card games like Texas hold 'em and blackjack to get their thrills.
Forty percent of 18 to 22-year-olds gambled monthly in 2007, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center in Pennsylvania. Due to a federal law curtailing Internet gambling, the percent has declined since 2006.
The epidemic of online gambling may be due to the more than 2,500 Internet-based casinos promising to pay tuition and virtual women waving money.
Though it has been known to work for some, many college students struggle with their gambling losses by lying and stealing or continuing to gamble and win back their money lost with money they don't have.
"We are young and optimistic," said Mike Engstrom, a second-year business major. "I guess losing a bunch of money can't take that away from us, so we keep doing it."
College students are three times more likely than adults to have a gambling problem, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
A majority of college student gambling is done online at sites like www.fulltiltpoker.com.
"I have spurts of gambling that last for maybe a couple weeks then I get sick of it," said Jordan Hubbard, a third-year geography major. "I would play every day for a couple hours during my spurts."
The casino, pull tabs, scratch-offs and sports bets are not as popular as online poker or the second leading favorite among students, local house poker gatherings, but are still used occasionally.
"I know a couple college students who have made over $100,000 in the last year but still live in their rooms gambling," Hubbard said. "I know some students who have lost a lot and are doing the same thing."
People may be more likely to become addicted to gambling if they begin at a young age, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.