The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched a public awareness campaign focused on underage gambling as Problem Gambling Awareness Month coincides with the start of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The campaign gives the regulator a timely way to put the issue in front of students, families, schools, and counselors during one of the biggest betting moments of the year.
What the campaign covers
The “What’s Really at Stake” campaign uses social media posts, online advertising, a dedicated website, and downloadable promotional materials. All resources are available free to individuals, educational institutions, and counselors. The rollout runs alongside March Madness, which is projected to set a record handle for US sports betting sites this year, making the timing of a youth-focused campaign particularly pointed.
The PGCB cited figures showing 75% of US college students gambled in the past year, legally or illegally, with 18% doing so weekly. Only 22% of US colleges and universities have formal gambling policies in place. Separately, 58% of 18 to 22-year-olds engaged in sports betting, with 6% reporting losses exceeding $500 in a single day.
What regulators and advocates said
Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director of the PGCB, said licensed operators have tools to block underage access but that “the proliferation of easily accessible illegal and unregulated sites that do not carry those protections” is a major driver of the problem.
Josh Ercole, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, said calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline regarding young individuals in the state have increased in recent years. The campaign is complemented by educational materials developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, available through the Department of Education’s website.
