Online gambling apps rise among students, raising concerns over addiction risks

April 5, 2026 The Parthenon

In a world where nearly everything is available at the tap of a button, online gambling has become one of the fastest-growing digital trends, and for some users, one of the hardest to control.

Online sports betting and casino-style apps have rapidly expanded in recent years, fueled by nonstop advertising across television, social media and mobile devices. With little more than a smartphone and a few minutes, users can download an app, claim a bonus and begin placing bets almost immediately.

What once required a trip to a casino is now constant, private and always within reach.

For Marshall alumni Nathaniel Ridenour, online gambling started as entertainment and a way to connect with friends while watching sports. Over time, he said, it became something much more consuming.

“Kind of like a job to a point,” Ridenour said. “Just having money on it makes you more interested. You’re invested, and it gives you dopamine to a point.”

He said betting initially felt harmless, even casual, like paying for added excitement during games he was already watching.

“I was 18 when I first went to college,” Ridenour said. “You could put ten dollars on a basketball game of two teams you have no idea who they are, and you’ll be fully invested, watching it.”

What began as occasional wagers quickly turned into routine behavior. Ridenour said he began checking gambling apps immediately after waking up, using daily promotions and free spins and placing bets ranging from small amounts to hundreds of dollars.

“I’ve never seen that much,” Ridenour said, referring to his total wagers, which he estimated exceeds $120,000 across platforms, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet MGM, Fanatics, PrizePicks, Underdog and Caesars.

Senior student Trey Miller describes a similar introduction saying he was drawn in through advertisements and peer influence.

“The first time I heard about it was fall of 2024,” Miller said. “I started seeing advertisements on my phone, computer, watching television and things like that.”

Miller said the initial excitement faded quickly.

“It was exciting for about 20 minutes, then it got kind of boring, I’m gonna be honest,” he said.

While Miller said he tries to gamble responsibly and avoid spending beyond his means, he has seen how quickly it can escalate for others.

“You’re only going to be happy for so long, and that’s even if your bet wins,” Miller said. “Gambling and sports betting is just kind of … It’s a win-lose, but with actual American currency on the line. I think it makes it more of a lose-lose situation more than anything.”

West Virginia is one of the few states where online casino gambling is fully legal and operational under the West Virginia Interactive Wagering Act passed in 2019. The law allows licensed casinos to offer mobile gambling apps statewide.

Since its legalization, critics say the accessibility of online betting has transformed gambling from an occasional activity into a constant presence in users’ daily lives, raising concerns about addiction and long-term financial impact, particularly among college-aged adults.

Ridenour said he ultimately views his experience as a cautionary one.

“If I were to give someone advice that’s never sports betted before, I would tell them not to do it,” Ridenour said.

While resources for gambling addiction are available, advocates note there is still no comprehensive long-term strategy in place to address the rapid expansion of online betting in the state.

For some, the apps remain a form of entertainment, a quick thrill between moments of everyday life. For others, they become a habit that is harder to escape than it first appears, just one tap away.