Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gambling Facts
June 28, 2007 | General
Gambling Fact or Fiction?
Tell whether each statement is fact or fiction. Answer key is found below.
- Teens don't develop gambling problems.
- Gambling is exciting and adds to the fun.
- The FBI estimates that more than $2.5 billion is illegally wagered annually on March Madness each year.
- It doesn't matter if you lose; eventually, if you keep gambling, you will win your money back.
- Approximately one-third of all sports bets in Nevada are placed on college sporting events.
- Overall, Nevada's legal sports wagering represents less than 1 percent of all sports betting nationwide. In 2005, $2.25 billion was legally wagered in Nevada's sports books; the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) estimated that illegal wagers are as much as $380 billion annually.
- Knowledge about teams and players will make you more likely to win when you place a bet on a sports game.
Fact or Fiction?
Answer Key:
- Teens don't develop gambling problems.
Answer: Fiction-Teens tend to gamble with friends and not in casinos, but that doesn't mean they can t develop gambling problems. A 1995 AADAC survey of Alberta adolescents (between 12 and 17 years old) found that 8 per cent of those surveyed were problem gamblers. A further 15 per cent were considered at risk of developing problems with gambling. - Gambling is exciting and adds to the fun.
Answer: Fiction-Risking a little bit of your hard earned cash makes a game of golf, cards or pool more fun according to some people. For sure there is some excitement attached to taking risks. But there is very little excitement involved in losing your money. In AADAC's survey of Alberta adolescents, problem gamblers often told us they were unhappy, anxious, worried and upset. - The FBI estimates that more than $2.5 billion is illegally wagered annually on March Madness each year.
Answer: Fact - It doesn't matter if you lose; eventually, if you keep gambling, you will win your money back.
Answer: Fiction-It's a fact that over time you will lose more and more money, even if you do win occasionally. - Approximately one-third of all sports bets in Nevada are placed on college sporting events.
Answer: Fact - Overall, Nevada's legal sports wagering represents less than 1 percent of all sports betting nationwide. In 2005, $2.25 billion was legally wagered in Nevada's sports books; the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC) estimated that illegal wagers are as much as $380 billion annually.
Answer: Fact - Knowledge about teams and players will make you more likely to win when you place a bet on a sports game.
Answer: Fiction- Many things can happen during the game (e.g., a key player being injured) that can turn things around completely. While sports' betting is very popular amongst teens, it is the gambling activity most often associated with loss of control over gambling.
Sources: 2001-2006 AADAC - Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission; ? Copyright 2006 Youth Gambling International
Need help with a gambling addiction?
Please contact the 24-hour confidential National Gambling Addiction Hotline at 1-800-522-4700.
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