West Texas A&M University firmly opposes online gambling and prohibits accessing such sites using any university resources. University President Walter V. Wendler announced the implementation of this policy in a guest article published in the Amarillo Globe-News and further shared the directive via email with the campus community. This decision aims to curb the risks associated with gambling, with President Wendler likening it to the challenges of drug and substance abuse faced during the university's growth period.
Details of the Gambling Ban:
This comprehensive policy takes effect immediately, affecting not only students but also faculty and staff, and covers all state-owned electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and desktop computers. As stated in the university's official press release, the ban applies to anyone using university-provided WiFi on campus and related locations, such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, WT Enterprise Center, and the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center. This move reflects the university's commitment to fostering a healthy educational environment, as emphasized by President Wendler in his statement, "There is no evidence that predatory gambling contributes positively to academic excellence."
President Wendler highlighted concerns over the ease of access to online gambling and sports betting apps, which could encourage students to develop more widespread gambling habits. Statistics from the nonprofit news organization The Conversation indicate that 6% of college students suffer from gambling addiction, a rate twice that of the adult population in the U.S., making this issue particularly troubling. Students burdened with gambling debts may increasingly turn to student loans, credit cards, and personal loans, further jeopardizing their financial stability and academic success.
The University's Civic Responsibility and Goals:
This ban is part of West Texas A&M University's broader mission embodied in its long-term plan WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, which emphasizes the intrinsic connection between civil rights and civic responsibilities. This spirit also drove the university's ambitious One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which quickly met its initial $125 million goal 18 months after its launch in September 2021, with a current target of raising $175 million by 2025, having already raised nearly $160 million.
As West Texas A&M University takes this action, the relationship between sports betting and higher education is undergoing broader scrutiny nationwide. For instance, a recent bill proposed in New Jersey aims to ban sports betting advertising in college facilities and limit partnerships between sports betting operators and higher education institutions. Meanwhile, organizations like the Responsible Online Gambling Association (ROGA) are intensifying efforts to educate young people about responsible gambling through nationwide digital campaigns and financial literacy programs.
