Carnegie Mellon Launches New Course to Promote Sports Betting Awareness

Two educators from Pennsylvania have collaborated to develop a course aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with sports betting. With the rapid expansion of the betting industry and the constant presence of advertisements, their goal is to help students approach gambling more responsibly.

Insights into Betting Statistics and Neuroscience

This innovative course is the result of a partnership between statistician Ron Yurko and neuroscience professor Linda Moya, both based at Carnegie Mellon University. Their combined expertise offers students a comprehensive understanding of sports betting, encouraging informed choices and highlighting the dangers of gambling addiction.

Yurko’s role focuses on demystifying the low probability of winning in sports betting, especially over extended periods. He plans to include practical elements, such as a simulated sportsbook, to demonstrate how operators maintain an advantage and to give students a hands-on perspective of betting mechanics.

Moya contributes by exploring how gambling affects brain function and behavior. Her teachings will cover how compulsive gambling alters perception, the signs of developing addiction, and the serious risks involved in problem gambling.

Addressing the Growth of Sportsbooks on Campus

The course was developed in response to the surge in legalized sports betting following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Many states, including Pennsylvania, now offer legal retail and online sportsbooks, making betting more accessible than ever.

This widespread availability has unfortunately been accompanied by an increase in gambling-related harm, particularly among vulnerable groups such as university students. Observations point to students placing bets even during classes, underscoring the need for education on this topic.

Yurko and Moya aim to empower students to identify the risks involved in sports betting and to spread awareness about gambling dangers to their peers. Scheduled to start next spring, the course has already attracted strong interest, filling all 35 available spots and maintaining a waitlist.