Overview

Sports betting surpassed $100 billion in revenue worldwide in 2024 and is projected to nearly double by 2030. However, the effects of new policy regulations within the United States and abroad have significantly shifted the sports betting landscape, making it one of the most pressing public health and policy issues of our time. As aggressive marketing strategies increasingly target youth and young adults, concerns are mounting regarding the long-term impact on at-risk populations. In the Sports Betting: Risks & Ripple Effects Teach-Out™, you’ll explore the personal, social, and systemic impacts of sports betting, gain awareness of risks, and consider actions you can take within your own communities. The Teach-Out guides you through the evolution of sports betting, focusing on the distinct tactics and data that betting platforms use to inform their marketing strategies. Covering the effects of sports betting on higher education, the Teach-Out examines the industry’s impact on collegiate athletes and their institutions as they navigate pressure from the industry. The conversation also addresses the reality of gambling addiction, its connection to behaviors like binge drinking, and its broader impact on holistic health. Finally, you will learn how recent regulations can serve as vital harm reduction for those struggling with gambling-related challenges. This Teach-Out is open to anyone interested in learning more about the sports betting industry and its effects on the general population, but it is particularly relevant for young adults and their parents, athletes, educators, and policymakers looking to mitigate the effects of sports betting. Ultimately, you’ll leave this Teach-Out understanding the social, legal, and technological forces that drive the expansion of sports betting, and how you can take action in your own life. When you enroll in the Teach-Out, don’t forget to register for the companion live event, From Fan Engagement to Gamblification: Ethics and Responsibility in Sports and Esports, on February 3, at noon EST. Join this panel discussion featuring Dr. Lindsey Mortenson and experts to discuss the ethical tensions and real-world risks posed by betting on sports and esports. Head to online.umich.edu/events to learn more about the live event.

Syllabus

Business of Sports Betting

Module One introduces the modern sports betting ecosystem. You will explore how sports betting evolved from informal, local practices into a global, data-driven industry shaped by technology, marketing, and legal change. Expert interviews examine how sportsbooks operate, how prediction markets blur the line between investing and gambling, and how marketing strategies target specific audiences. This module also highlights conflicts of interest and the ways data analytics and platform design influence bettor behavior.

Impact on Higher Education

Focusing on college and university settings, Module Two examines how sports betting intersects with campus life. You will explore risks facing student-athletes, including harassment, integrity concerns, and mental health stressors, as well as emerging issues such as esports and gamblification. Module Two also addresses how institutions can create protective environments through policy, education, and collaboration, without the need to become gambling experts.

Mental Health and Addiction Implications

Module Three focuses on mental health, prevention, and harm reduction. You will examine gambling as a behavioral addiction, its connection to alcohol use, and why emerging adults are particularly vulnerable. Drawing on international examples, including lessons from Australia and the UK, this module highlights public health strategies that focus on early intervention, risk reduction, and community-level responses rather than crisis-only approaches.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

In the final module, you will explore how sports betting is regulated and why governance matters. You will examine the significance of the 2018 Supreme Court decision in the United States that reshaped U.S. sports betting, the role of state gaming commissions, and the concept of sports jurisprudence. Module Four also attends to gambling-motivated crimes, treatment diversion courts, and how effective regulation can reduce harm.