Massachusetts sports betting education program enters schools

Massachusetts is testing a first-of-its-kind youth gambling-harm prevention program in 15 high schools and seven middle schools, led by the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH). The curriculum, designed to address underage sports betting and daily fantasy sports, follows data showing 60-80% of high schoolers in the state have gambled at least once in the past year, with video games cited as a common entry point. The program consists of four or five 45-minute sessions, typically taught in health classes by volunteer teachers. Paul Coutinho, a teacher at Medfield High School, emphasized the urgency, stating the issue is already widespread. Pete Hall, a health teacher at Central High School in Springfield, joined the effort after overcoming his own gambling struggles, aiming to inform rather than scare students. Early results from the pilot, which reached 440 youths, indicate success: 69% of participants said they would now wait until legal age to bet, and 78% recommended the program to peers. Misconceptions about gambling as an easy way to make money dropped from 53% to 44%. The MACGH plans to expand the program to include young adults and digital learning formats. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania lawmakers proposed a bill to block gambling sites on school campuses, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced stricter verification checks, including biometric data, to prevent underage betting. Hochul called mobile sports wagering a growing concern, particularly for youth, and urged stronger regulatory safeguards.