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The Hidden Risks of Sports Betting

Cedarville's Jared Pincin is sounding the alarm about students and gambling

Nov 6, 2025

2 min

In a recent release from Cedarville University, Dr. Jared A. Pincin, Associate Professor of Economics, emerges as a prominent voice warning students about the hidden risks of sports betting. Pincin underscores that modern betting apps are intentionally designed to mimic mobile video games—fast, rewarding, and highly addictive—which makes them especially appealing to young adults and students. He emphasizes that while the appeal of quick wins is strong, the reality is that these platforms can erode both personal finances and educational opportunities.

“The dark reality is that gambling is very addictive and can bankrupt people, strain marriages and destroy futures,” Dr. Pincin explains when describing the slippery slope that many young gamblers face.

Grounded in his economic research and Christian ethics framework, Pincin adds another layer of concern: from a faith perspective, gambling exploits the desire for instant gain and distracts individuals from a more grounded trust in provision and purpose. He argues that with legalization expanding and betting apps readily available on smartphones, college students—not just athletes—are increasingly vulnerable to behaviors that can derail their academic trajectory and long-term goals.

“Gambling preys on our desire for quick gain and distracts us from trusting God’s provision,” Dr. Pincin notes, bringing into focus the moral as well as the practical implications of sports gambling in a university setting.

Dr. Jared Pincin's research interests explore the intersection of public choice economics with foreign aid as well as issues in sports economics. Pincin has published in popular publications such as The Hill, Real Clear Markets, Foxnews.com, and USA Today and scholarly journals such as Oxford Development Studies, Applied Economic Letters, and the Journal of Sport and Social Issues. View his profile here

The release garnered a lot of attention - and substantial media coverage from outlets like ABC News and others.

Gambling is emerging as a serious issue across America - and if you're a reporter looking to know more about this topic - then let us help.

Cedarville's Jared Pincin is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

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Jared Pincin

Associate Professor of Economics

Dr. Jared Pincin is a nationally respected expert on economic issues facing the United States of America

Economics and EducationEconomicsEconomics and Behaviour

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