Sportsbooks cashing in big on younger audiences, college crowd across Florida

Saturday, February 17, 2024 10:35 AM
  • Charles Maxwell, MediaLab@FAU

Nicotine and alcohol are the current kings of addiction on college campuses, but there may soon be a challenger to the throne. The multibillion-dollar industry of sports betting has been grabbing the attention of college students at an alarming rate — creating one of the trendiest compulsions among young adults.

Wagering is pervasive among 18- to 22-year-olds, a survey conducted by the NCAA revealed, with 58% having engaged in at least one sports betting activity. This past year, the entertainment conglomerate, Hard Rock, opened sportsbooks, a place where sports bettors can place wagers, in all three of their South Florida casinos, including their Hollywood location, just a 30-minute drive from the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University.