Risky wager? You Betcha.

Perhaps Gilman students were not surprised by the recent NBA gambling scandal in which a Hall of Fame player, turned head coach, and a current NBA player were arrested following a federal investigation. 

While online sports betting is illegal for all Gilman students, this is not an unfamiliar topic among young men, according to a recent study from the NCAA that found sports betting to be pervasive among this cohort. In just over three years since online sports betting was legalized for people over 21 in Maryland, revenue has exceeded expectations, a seeming windfall of yet-to-be realized funding for schools and other social programs. 

It's time to talk about the uniquely addictive nature of gambling, and all the ways smart, sporty young men, Gilman men, are targeted. Lured to believe their unique sports knowledge will give them an edge to actually make money (at least not lose or be gripped by addiction), players are incentivized with “free first bets” and “boosts.” Such strategies are fair game to hook players, with bets designed to leave players feeling like they “almost won,” keeping people coming back for more. Later barring those who win too consistently. Online casinos average profit margins over 60% (compared to retail margins that are typically around 30%). In other words: the House ALWAYS wins. 

But at what cost to their consumers? Not only does research indicate that sports betting is among the most addicting behaviors, the latest NIH data indicates that gambling addicts have an elevated risk of dying by suicide. 

These wins and “near wins” produce dopamine spikes at an unpredictable frequency, which psychologists regard as the “stickiest” and most alluring, addictive reward schedule, especially for teens. In other words, because bets intermittently work out in your favor, it’s nearly impossible to walk away when your next win could be imminent. To make matters worse, gambling apps make users feel like they are gaining skill and benefiting from hints, thus creating an erroneous sense of self-improved odds. 

A recent Gilman grad shared their story, which started sophomore year, with a winning 10:1 bet on the Orioles season opener. That summer, bets went from $10’s to $20’s to $50’s to $100’s - spending dollars earned from winning wagers, plus earnings from a part time job. August marked the biggest jump, with a $1,000 win. followed weeks later by the biggest single loss: $3,000 in the hole. And the decision to take a break from betting. 

The online platform took notice of the pause and offered a “free” $500 wager, a deliberate effort to re-engage wayward betters. This kicked off a temporary winning streak. Despite a renewed commitment to contain losses through self-imposed rules on types of bets and a bottom line budget, the need to chase losses to try and recuperate savings, spurred momentum like a snowball picking up mass and speed. 

Over the next several months, wins and losses zigged and zagged, and with it, a degree of preoccupation and vigilance that required waking up in the night to track obscure sporting events. This spiral hit its lowest point following a string of broken promises and wagers in the thousands.
The worst part was realizing that, like any other addictions, the desired adrenaline rush required ramped up bets, despite negative consequences in the form of lost earnings, disrupted sleep and neglected academic and athletic responsibilities.
Nearly two years after that first bet, it was clear that the stress and financial loss were not worth it. Quitting resulted in a temporary degree of discontentment, agitation and boredom, soon outweighed by the alleviation of persistent anxiety. It’s been over a year without betting. 

A truth of human behavior is that the more familiar something is, the less dangerous it seems. The more a person bets, the less risky they perceive it to be. Yet the inverse is actually true: the more you bet, the greater the risk. This holds whether we are talking about Zyn, or vaping or sports betting. 

In other words, sports betting may not seem like a big deal, until things get out of control. Plus, boys’ reluctance to intervene on each other’s behalf or to ask for help, means that gambling addictions may fester when earlier intervention could minimize personal damage and financial loss. Gambling is often described as an “invisible” addiction because there aren't usually physical markers; the damage is happening in secret, to both the bank account and the psyche.
I know Gilman boys care deeply about each other, and I urge students to recognize sports betting as a risky behavior and override your well-intended deference to peers' autonomy. Say something if someone you care about is gambling too much. And if you’re concerned about yourself, take a look at your betting habits and see if you can pull back. If not, get support! You are not alone. Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) or speak with a member of Gilman’s Wellness team or another trusted adult.