College students take a gamble
Kian Hagerman
March Madness has taken hold of many students, and with any large sporting event, inevitably many will be gambling.
While some can place a bet without giving it much effort, for many the issue of excessive gambling can become a pathological behavior with negative lasting consequences.
College students can suffer greatly from a gambling addiction that becomes unmanageable.
Recent research estimates 6 percent of college students nationally have a serious gambling problem, according to a study conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Gambling is made more accessible in recent years with technological innovations, allowing for the creation of online casinos and apps.
According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, a study done on college students and gambling found that more than 50 percent of males and 30 percent of females ages 18 to 22 participated in various gambling activities at least once a month.
MCC student Edgar Silvestre-Muros said that whether you win or lose, gambling is an addiction that can grow rapidly out of control.
For instance, while playing straight craps the house is favored to win just over 50 percent of the time.
However, the side bets that many participate in heavily favor the house.
Eventually the house will come out ahead because they continue to play indefinitely, and only require that small edge to profit.
MCC student Ryan Dubuc said of craps, “Craps is the best game. Put all your money on the pass line and let it ride all night.”
Some may not even recognize that they have a problem, though according to a study by the Journal of Gambling Studies, most people see gambling as an addiction.
The study also concluded that those with gambling disorders were less likely than those with other addictions to seek treatment, because they do not think they have a problem.
Those who do recognize they have a problem with gambling are unlikely to seek treatment, even with this knowledge.
