Loyola Course Discusses the Risks of Sports Betting

Loyola University Chicago is introducing a new undergraduate course to study the impact of sports betting and prediction markets on the US sports industry. Loyola Course Explores the Growing Role of Gambling in US Sports The course, launched in Spring 2025 by the university’s Quinlan School of Business, focuses on the commercial, regulatory and ethical issues of gambling in sports. Led by Noah Henderson, the course trains students for a career in an industry that is increasingly difficult to separate from professional and college sports. Henderson’s analysis is a reminder of how gambling has become part of the everyday consumption of sport. Betting promotions are now everywhere on television, social media and at sports venues. Big operators like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM also invest heavily in partnerships with leagues, teams and media companies. The expansion comes after a 2018 ruling by the US Supreme Court in Murphy v. NCAA. The ruling struck down federal restrictions that prevented many states from legalizing sports betting. Since then, 39 states and Washington, DC have legalized some form of sports betting. One such state is Illinois. However, its rules do not match those that govern prediction markets run under federal oversight. Illinois sports bettors have to be 21 or older. Illinois also prohibits wagers on its college teams. Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket typically open to users at age 18 and can offer contracts linked to college sports. As prediction markets expand their sports offerings, this difference has become a major regulatory concern. The platforms are overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not state gambling regulators, and that raises questions about whether federal rules can override state restrictions. Loyola Course Highlights Gambling Harm and Mental Health Risks There are also concerns about gambling-related harm with the growing availability of these products. Another study on sports betting and prediction markets found that their growing availability was associated with riskier gambling behavior. The research said smartphones have made gambling products available at almost all times, removing some of the physical barriers that once limited participation. Mental health problems have also been highlighted in research on university students. A 2008 study of 1800 students in Mississippi found that roughly one-quarter of students gambled and 7% had problem gambling. Researchers also found students with gambling problems were more likely to report mental health concerns. However, the link between gambling and mental health is still complex. Researchers are still trying to figure out if people with mental health problems are more likely to gamble, or if excessive gambling causes psychological problems. Loyola has incorporated these issues into its academic approach. The university’s sport management course touches on addiction, consumer protection, and the ethical issues related to the promotion of gambling, especially to younger, economically challenged groups. The university is also involved in wider problem gambling initiatives. Its School of Social Work, Cicero Family Services and the Illinois Department of Human Services host the annual Latine Problem Gambling Conference.