NFL Funding Study to Evaluate Gambling Impact on College Students, Athletes

• The NFL will contribute $600,000 to an independent, peer-reviewed study to explore impacts of gambling behaviors in college students, college athletes
• The NFL is partnering with the International Center for Responsible Gaming for the study
• Study will collect data to inform prevention strategies, education, and policies aimed at reducing gambling-related harm

The NFL is partnering with the International Center for Responsible Gaming to fund a three-year independent study that will include peer-reviewed research to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of gambling behaviors among college students and college athletes.

The NFL has dedicated $600,000 to support the study.

“We’re proud to partner with the ICRG to advance research that can drive meaningful solutions and address a critical gap in the understanding of gambling behaviors among college athletes and students,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, in a release. “This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans, and communities.”

How Do Students Interact With Online Sports Betting?

While initial studies have shown college students and college athletes may be at a higher risk for problem gambling, the NFL noted there is a lack of current data on how the college population interacts with online sports betting platforms.

This three-year study will enable independent researchers to explore a wide range of topics with the goal of informing data-driven prevention strategies, education, and policies aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.

The NFL has also dedicated funding to the International Center for Responsible Gaming’s (ICRG) “Talking with Children About Gambling” education resource, which helps equip parents, coaches, and educators with guidance on how to prevent youth gambling exposure before college.

“The NFL has once again demonstrated its commitment to player and fan protection by supporting this critical research targeting young adults,” said Arthur Paikowsky, President of ICRG. “The NFL and ICRG together will make a meaningful contribution to understanding and implementing policies and programs that support a safer gambling environment.”

The study is being funded at a time when the NCAA is considering an extensive change to its student-athlete sports betting policy.

NCAA Still Considering Sports Betting Changes

The NCAA confirmed in May it is considering a massive change to its student-athlete sports betting policy. Namely, the association is considering allowing student athletes, coaches, and training staff to bet on professional sports.

According to sources of Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved the groundwork for the rule change in April and has since forwarded the plan to the Division I Council for further discussion.

An NCAA spokesperson confirmed the rule evaluation with Sports Betting Dime, noting the Division I Board of Directors directed the Division I Council to adopt changes to its sports betting policy, namely to allow betting on professional sports.

The Division I Council is not expected to take any formal action on changing the policy until the end of June at the earliest.