NFHS Launches Free Course on Risks of Sports Betting for High School Students

Amid a nationwide rise in online sports betting among high school students, the NFHS has launched a free course to educate coaches, administrators, student-athletes and parents about the risks associated with these gambling products.

Available through the NFHS Learning Center, the course examines the rapid growth of sports betting, problem gambling, prevention strategies, the importance of competition integrity, and the potential consequences for students.

“The NFHS Learning Center is pleased to help raise awareness of the mental health challenges and risks sports betting can pose to young people,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS Director of Educational Services. “We value the opportunity to educate individuals nationwide on this critically important issue."

Today’s students are growing up in a culture where sports betting is highly visible. Sportsbooks and prediction markets are more accessible than ever, with dedicated apps, social media promotion and betting-focused coverage integrated into major sports broadcasts. The course explores how constant exposure can normalize gambling despite its financial and mental health risks.

The multibillion-dollar sports betting industry has expanded rapidly since a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalized services for online and digital platforms.

While minors are prohibited from gambling in the United States — and state high school associations and local school districts have rules banning interscholastic athletes from participating in sports betting — the course explains how the ease of access and gamification of these platforms has contributed to increased use among high school students. Since decision-making and impulse control are still developing during adolescence, teens may be more vulnerable to risky behaviors related to gambling.

According to a University of Michigan Health national poll, only 1 in 4 parents have discussed online betting with their teen, and 1 in 6 say they likely would not know if their child was betting online. In addition, a national study on youth gambling found that 68 percent of individuals ages 12 to 21 reported gambling this past year, with six percent considered at-risk and two percent meeting the criteria for problem gambling.

The course provides examples of how sports betting can have serious consequences for student-athletes, including financial strain, mental health challenges, damaged relationships and long-term impacts on well-being. It can also affect team dynamics and harm a school’s reputation. Early awareness is key to prevention, and the new course is designed to help adults and students recognize warning signs and make informed decisions.

Launched in 2007, the NFHS Learning Center offers more than 100 online courses, including more than 75 free offerings. The platform has delivered more than 29 million courses nationwide. In 2022, the NFHS earned accreditation through Cognia, underscoring its commitment to high-quality education and continuous improvement. Access the course today at www.NFHSLearn.org.