The University of Mississippi announced Monday the upcoming launch of its Center on Collegiate Gambling, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, according to researchers. The center aims to study the risks associated with the growth of legalized sports betting and online gambling among college students and athletes.
Approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning in February, the center will cost about $700,000 annually. Researchers said it will begin hiring staff soon. The initiative follows a survey showing that 39% of Mississippi college students gambled in the past year, with 6% meeting criteria for problem gambling as defined by the American Psychiatric Association, said Hannah Allen-King, executive director of the university’s William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing.
Allen-King noted that the issue affects the broader Mississippi community and that the university plans to work with legislators on gambling policy. Mississippi permits sports betting only inside casinos, but a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned a federal ban, opening the door for expanded betting options. Despite this, the state has largely resisted legalizing mobile sports betting, citing concerns over gambling addiction and casino revenues.
Proponents argue that illegal online betting in Mississippi accounts for about 5% of the estimated $3 billion in illegal bets nationwide, and support regulation and taxation. The state House has repeatedly voted to legalize mobile sports betting, but Senate leaders have indicated plans to oppose the measure again this year.
The rise of sports betting on college campuses has led to increased threats against athletes and calls for research into its effects. The new center will focus on understanding gambling behaviors and promoting policies to prevent harm, including training counselors to identify and address gambling addiction. Eight university counselors have already received certification to assist students struggling with gambling issues.
As college sports remain central to Mississippi’s culture, the issue of gambling’s impact on athletes has become more prominent. Allen-King highlighted concerns about threats and harassment targeting student-athletes, often linked to gambling losses tied to game outcomes. Daniel Durkin, an associate professor and founding member of the center, emphasized the need to raise awareness, warning that gambling’s popularity among students could have serious consequences if left unaddressed.
