{"id":105655,"date":"2026-03-04T16:14:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/cedarville-university-professors-address-march-madness-betting-boom\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T16:14:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:14:05","slug":"cedarville-university-professors-address-march-madness-betting-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/cedarville-university-professors-address-march-madness-betting-boom\/","title":{"rendered":"Cedarville University Professors Address March Madness Betting Boom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CEDARVILLE, OHIO, March 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Americans won\u2019t just be filling out brackets for March Madness this year \u2014 they\u2019ll be emptying their wallets.<\/p>\n

As the NCAA Men\u2019s Basketball Tournament tips off, industry analysts expect\u00a0billions of dollars to be wagered in just a few short weeks<\/strong>, making March Madness one of the most heavily bet sporting events in the country. In a nation where legal sports betting has exploded from a $13 billion industry in 2019 to more than\u00a0$150 billion in wagers in 2025<\/strong>, the question is no longer whether Americans will bet \u2014 but how much, and at what cost.<\/p>\n

What was once confined to Las Vegas sports books is now available 24\/7 on smartphones. Today, 39 states and Washington, D.C., allow legal sports betting. With a few taps, fans can wager on point spreads, player performance, and even the outcome of the next possession.<\/p>\n

In Ohio alone, residents have wagered more than\u00a0$16.6 billion<\/strong>\u00a0since legalization began in 2023, including nearly\u00a0$8.9 billion in 2024<\/strong>, according to the Dayton Daily News. The Ohio Casino Control Commission reports the state has collected more than\u00a0$1 billion in tax revenue<\/strong>\u00a0during that period.<\/p>\n

Now, another development could further normalize the industry. A recent Spectrum 1 News report revealed the NCAA is considering allowing college athletes to legally bet on professional sports \u2014 a significant shift from its long-standing ban on athlete wagering. The proposal, introduced in September 2024, is still under review, with a final decision expected later this year.<\/p>\n

As the dollars multiply, some experts are urging caution.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jared A. Pincin, associate professor of economics at Cedarville University, and Greg Thompson, professor of criminal justice and a retired U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General officer, say the meteoric rise of sports betting deserves closer scrutiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone has access to a casino in their pocket,\u201d Thompson tells students, pointing to the ease and privacy of mobile betting apps.<\/p>\n

While sports betting companies frame their platforms as entertainment, Pincin notes that the industry\u2019s profitability depends on losses. A 2024 Wall Street Journal report cited an internal company review showing that\u00a070% of one gambling firm\u2019s revenue in 2019 and 2020 came from less than 1% of users<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 a statistic critics say underscores how heavily companies rely on their most frequent bettors.<\/p>\n

Betting platforms maintain that they promote responsible gaming. A DraftKings spokesperson recently said the company encourages responsible play and offers deposit limits and timeout options to help users manage activity. Still, Pincin and Thompson argue that sign-up bonuses and \u201cfree bet\u201d promotions are designed to build confidence and sustain betting behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese companies make money only when the gambler loses,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cThe reality is that gambling can be deeply addictive. It can bankrupt individuals, strain relationships and derail futures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Research suggests younger men are particularly vulnerable. Data from the Siena Research Institute shows roughly\u00a050% of men ages 18 to 49 have active sports betting accounts<\/strong>, with the highest rates of problem betting among men ages 18 to 34. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that men ages 18 to 24 are nearly three times more likely to develop gambling disorders than older adults.<\/p>\n

Pincin points to the design of betting apps themselves. \u201cIt\u2019s gamification,\u201d he said. \u201cThe look and feel resemble mobile games, blurring the line between entertainment and financial risk \u2014 especially for younger users who are already inclined toward higher-risk behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both professors are especially concerned about college students.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy greatest concern is that sports betting might cause students not to be able to continue their education,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cThere\u2019s a future impact \u2014 and a spiritual impact \u2014 that can alter the course of a young person\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

From a Christian perspective, Pincin views gambling as a matter of stewardship. \u201cScripture calls us to contentment and wise management of resources,\u201d he said. \u201cSports betting appeals to the desire for quick gain and can distract from trusting God\u2019s provision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cedarville\u2019s Student Life Division has begun incorporating gambling awareness into residence life programming and chapel discussions, encouraging students to think critically and biblically about cultural trends like sports betting. Pincin and Thompson have also addressed students this year about the economic, legal and ethical dimensions of the industry\u2019s rapid growth.<\/p>\n

As fans celebrate buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories this March, billions of dollars will quietly change hands on mobile screens across the country. For Pincin and Thompson, the real story of March Madness may not be about who cuts down the nets \u2014 but who ultimately pays the price.<\/p>\n

About Cedarville University<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cedarville University<\/a>, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest\u00a0Ohio, offers\u00a0undergraduate<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0graduate<\/a>\u00a0residential and online programs across the arts, sciences and professional fields.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio’s largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation rates. Learn more at\u00a0cedarville.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n