By Keith Whyte
National Council on Problem Gambling
While football is king in America, soccer is the most popular sport for the rest of the world. And the World Cup, held in June, is the biggest tournament from a number of perspectives, including gambling. To put it in perspective, in 2013 $98.9 million was bet legally in Nevada on the Super bowl. This year gamblers in Asia alone were expected to bet over $1 billion…. per World Cup game.
The vast amount of money at stake makes protecting the integrity of the game extremely important. One risk factor for match-fixing that you should be aware of is gambling addiction. Gambling may start innocently, often at a very young age. In 2012, 92% of NCAA male student-athletes reported they started betting before college—almost one-third before high school. Research shows those most at-risk for gambling problems are males between the ages of 18-34 involved in athletics, with a competitive disposition, early gambling experiences, and access to gambling opportunities as well as money. People with gambling problems face a range of negative impacts, from financial losses to increased stress levels and negative emotions such as guilt, anger, shame and anxiety. 3.8% of NCAA male student-athletes reported experiencing moderate to severe symptoms associated with gambling addiction.
A player with a gambling problem could be targeted by gamblers. In 2012, 2.2% of Division I football players said they had been asked to provide inside information, and 1.2% admitted to being asked to help fix a game.
Whether you are a Prep, Life or Next player, make sure to protect yourself from gambling problems. First, make sure you understand the potential risks to your health, finances, reputation and career from gambling, especially sports betting. Make sure you know the laws in your state and the NCAA, NFL/club regulations to avoid getting caught up in illegal gambling. If you choose to gamble, set limits on the amount of time and money you spend. One of the biggest warning signs of a gambling problem is not being able to stick to these limits. If you think you or someone you know may have a problem, get help. NFLPE and the National Council on Problem Gambling offer free confidential assistance. Problem gambling, like all addictions, can be treated if caught early. But the longer the problem stays hidden the worse it may become.
The National Council on Problem Gambling is the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.(See: www.ncpgambling.org; contact 1-800-522-4700 for help)