| The popularity of intercollegiate and professional sports and Americans' propensity for competition and risk has created a country that loves to bet on sports. The purpose of this study was to understand how and why college students become involved and continue to engage in illegal sports gambling. Previous research with gambling focused on large-scale survey techniques to gather data regarding the general prevalence of the activity and motivations to participate.; Using a social constructivist framework, this qualitative investigation describes the life stories of fourteen undergraduate students regarding their involvement in sports gambling. In-depth interviews were conducted during a two month period using a semi-structured interview protocol.; The findings revealed students were introduced into betting on sports by their fathers or male friends and initial involvement was through socially acceptable forms, such as NCAA tournament brackets and Super Bowl squares. Participants were introduced to sports gambling prior to attending college. Findings uncovered that motivations to participate were the chance to make money, the excitement of the wager, the opportunity to use sports knowledge, and bonding with other gamblers.; The study found that students continued their involvement with sports gambling because of general social acceptability of the activity and the vast majority progressed from entry level opportunities to wagering via online sites or with a bookmaker. The number and amount of wagers also increased and they spent a substantial amount of their day collecting gambling information and watching wagered upon games. The findings indicated due to the students' involvement in sports gambling, students were negatively affected financially, academically, and socially. Students uncovered that they used campus equipment and facilities to wager on sports and were not exposed to any anti-gambling educational programs. Participants also felt that campus policies and state and federal laws regarding sports gambling were under publicized and not enforced.; The findings revealed that the majority of participants intended to continue, in some form, to bet on sports after college, although many indicated that their wagering would reduce based on change from being a college student with unlimited disposable time to a practicing professional in their field of choice. Students disclosed that social acceptability was woven throughout their involvement with sports gambling and served as a justification for their participation. |
