HARRISBURG – Recognizing the growing issue of young people engaging in gambling activities, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (“PGCB”) is launching a campaign intended to heighten the awareness of this problematic issue.

The “What’s Really at Stake” campaign will utilize social media posts, online advertising, a dedicated website (WhatsReallyatStake.com), and access to promotional materials. The launch coincides with both national Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March and the start of one of the most significant wagering events in the United States, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. All of those materials are available to individuals, educational institutions or counselors as a free download at this website under the “Resources” section.

According to various studies:

• 75% of U.S. college students gambled in the past year (legally or illegally), with 18% gambling weekly or more frequently; at the same time only 22% of U.S. colleges and universities have formal policies on gambling. (CollegeGambling.org)
• 58% of 18–22-year-olds (including college students) engaged in sports betting with 6% reporting losing over $500 in a single day. Additionally, awareness of campus support for gambling problems is low with only 14% of men and 16% of women report knowing where to seek help.  (NCAA)  
• 6% of college students meet criteria for a serious gambling problem—roughly double the adult U.S. average of 3%.  (AddictionCenter.com)
• 33.7% of youth under 18 gambled in a year period (Mass.gov)
• More than 1 in 3 boys aged 11–17 gambled in the past year. (Common Sense Media)