1. Gambling behavior of student-athletes and a student cohort: what are the odds?
- Author
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Weinstock J, Whelan JP, Meyers AW, and Watson JM
- Subjects
- Adult, Analysis of Variance, Cohort Studies, Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders epidemiology, Female, Humans, Male, Nevada, Prevalence, Risk Assessment, Risk-Taking, Students psychology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Universities, Gambling psychology, Impulsive Behavior psychology, Sports, Students statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence of gambling, gambling related NCAA violations, and disordered gambling in student-athletes (n = 736) with a comparison cohort of students (n = 1,071) at four universities. Student-athletes reported similar rates of gambling frequency, use of a bookmaker, and disordered gambling as students. After accounting for demographic differences, student-athletes were less likely to engage in sports wagering than students. Several risk factors for disordered gambling were identified, including being male and reporting at least one parent with a history of gambling problems. These findings suggest that problems associated with gambling are a university-wide issue with student-athletes meriting additional attention because of implications for the integrity of intercollegiate sports. Improved prevention and intervention efforts for collegiate gambling are recommended.
- Published
- 2007
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