By Jack DiDomenic
Gambling habits among college students have left the periphery in recent years, redefining both campus and societal norms. Once considered to be a clandestine hobby, gambling has been propelled into the limelight by technological mobility.
Beyond the convenience that comes with betting from the palm of your hand, much of the recent surge in college-age gambling has roots in Murphy v. NCAA (2018). This landmark Supreme Court case placed the power to ban sports betting in the hands of state legislature. As of 2026, sports betting has developed into a major market in Illinois.
Popular sports betting apps like DraftKings and FanDuel have completely altered the way society wagers money. They offer accessible interfaces, quick payouts, and high-stakes parlays. For many, gambling on sports has become more of a Sunday ritual than an occasional pastime.
There is also a psychological aspect to gambling responsible for the influx of young adults entering the scene. College students are under a lot of pressure from schoolwork, landing internships, and balancing social obligations. The immediate satisfaction that comes from hitting a parlay is exactly the kind of reprieve they seek.
Dominican Senior Sam Gambino believes the appeal of sports betting “is due to the dopamine from making any sort of prediction correctly,” as well as the obvious “monetary rewards” that contribute to that rush.
Gambling as a whole has grown into a fairly popular social activity on college campuses as well. At Dominican, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosts a Casino Night every spring. Casino Night has been a tradition at Dominican since the early 2000’s, long before the emergence of sports betting apps. Casino Night features a variety of casino games, including Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Slots, etc. and non-monetary prizes.
Casino Night won Dominican’s Best Student Organization Event at this year’s Student Leadership Celebration. President of CAB Aldo Cervantes attests Casino Night’s success to the “high risks involved and the people you share the experience with.” Part of the gambling experience is “celebrating the victory or agonizing the defeat with your friends,” said Gambino.
College students need a way to escape their daily stresses with friends. While the “prizes also help as an incentive,” Casino Night goers “love to come in groups, and move around the different games to see which one they have a better chance at winning,” added Cervantes.
With any trend, however, there is a concern for over-indulgence. It is no secret that gambling is an addictive hobby, and college students are not immune to those effects. There is a clear potential for developing unhealthy betting habits within our technologically advanced society.
On the other hand, gambling has given college students a unique opportunity to unwind from their chaotic schedules. Cervantes noted that “as college students, we are on the borderline of constant stress and deadlines,” and “we find joy in the small rushes of adrenaline we receive when we indulge in gambling, and it pays off!”
Gambling can certainly be enjoyed in moderation, as long as students are able to set firm boundaries for themselves. Gambino concluded by saying he has been able to “set boundaries by only betting on football.” The moment his friends started to bet on Polish table tennis is ultimately when he became concerned.
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