Young Soccer Athletes Especially Vulnerable to Gambling Problems: New Study

A new study confirms what many have been saying for years: Gambling is a serious threat to young people — and the problem seems to be getting worse.

Most states in the U.S. have legalized sports betting, and more than half of men ages 18 – 49 report having an active sportsbook account online. Arkansans wagered a record $86.5 million in March alone this year. But this type of gambling is having a corrupting influence on athletics in the U.S. and around the world.

Researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet studied 741 male junior elite soccer players from Sweden’s two highest national leagues.

The study found 32% of the players had gambled in the past year.

Among players 18 and older, that number jumped to more than 60%.

Nearly one in ten players showed signs of problem gambling, and even more alarming, more than one in five underage players reported gambling despite legal age restrictions.

The data is clear: Sports betting is corrupting sports and ruining lives. 

The NCAA has opened investigations into dozens of student-athletes for sports betting violations. Federal prosecutors have announced indictments in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix college basketball games. Nearly half of Division I men’s basketball players have reported harassment from bettors on social media.

MLB players have been accused of rigging pitches to defraud sports betting platforms. The NFL and the NBA have also dealt with corruption and scandals tied to sports betting.

On the whole, most Americans do not believe sports betting has been good for society or good for sports.

Arkansas families need to understand that sports betting isn’t harmless entertainment — it’s predatory, and it’s growing.

As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, gambling addiction will simply continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.