Massachusetts Rolls Out Youth Problem Gambling Curriculum Statewide

Massachusetts has rolled out a new classroom curriculum teaching young people about the risks of problem gambling as concerns grow about youth exposure to sports betting and online gambling.

Why the State Built the Program

Attorney General Andrea Campbell launched the Youth Sports Coalition in 2024 to raise awareness of the laws, risks, and public health harms associated with youth sports and online gambling. The coalition was tasked with developing an education, health, and training curriculum for people between the ages of 12 and 20. According to the Attorney General's office, it is the first curriculum of its kind in the country.

What Students Are Taught

The curriculum covers the legal wagering age, the risks associated with online betting, financial literacy, the advertising tactics used by gaming companies, and how to recognize warning signs of gambling addiction. It remains illegal for anyone under 21 to wager on sports or casino games in Massachusetts, though the availability of online Massachusetts sports betting has raised concerns about access among underage users.

Rollout Timeline

The rollout is happening in two phases. Phase one focused on developing the curriculum and reached about 400 middle and high school students. Phase two begins at the start of the next school year and will scale the program statewide, reaching more than 2,200 students.

Early Results

According to the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, 69% of students who completed the program said they were more likely to wait until they are of legal age before gambling, and 78% said they would recommend the program to other students their age. The share of students who viewed gambling as an easy way to make money dropped from 53% to 44% after completing the curriculum.

The Broader Trend

Youth exposure to betting has grown alongside the wider market. A 2023 NCAA survey found that 58% of people ages 18 to 22 have engaged in at least one sports betting activity, and most young people surveyed had seen or heard advertising that encourages betting, with 58% of those who saw the ads saying they were more likely to participate afterward.

Mobile Access and Youth Gambling Risks

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health has found that teenagers who gamble are more likely to be dependent on alcohol or illegal substances and to experience depression than peers who do not gamble. The council has also noted that mobile wagering platforms, including MA betting apps, have changed how people access sports betting.