Loyola Chicago Sports Betting Class Back For Second Semester

The Ramblers are looking to help gamblers learn more about sports betting in the US.

Loyola University Chicago has brought back its sports betting class as part of its Sports Management Program. The class will teach students about the industry, finances, problem gambling, and the ethics involved. The goal is not only to promote responsible gambling, but also to prepare some students to pursue careers in the industry. 

The class first launched in the Spring 2025 semester and impressed the school enough to bring it back this fall.

Sports Betting is Everywhere

One of the driving reasons for offering this unique class is that sports betting is impossible to ignore. Advertisements line cities and towns, commercials run on cable throughout the day, and sportsbook and prediction market logos appear on most telecasts of major sports events.

Clinical Assistant Professor Noah Henderson teaches the class and shared in a press release from the school why he believes it's important. 

Sports gambling is hard to avoid. Our students who commute to class at the Water Tower Campus on the Red Line pass through a wall of DraftKings advertisements at the Addison stop adjacent to Wrigley Field. Later that night, when their friends get together to watch a game, the pregame show, and often the in-game broadcast itself, remind them of the featured parlay or live gambling odds. When they scroll through their social media feeds before bed, many will see their favorite influencers promoting sports betting or online casino content.

Prediction Markets Add Risks

The US is still grappling with how to protect bettors in its regulated sports betting market. However, that effort has become far more difficult since the rise of sports prediction markets, which fall under state gambling laws. Many platforms set their minimum age at 18, giving younger bettors a way to gamble before they turn 21. 

As a result, problem gambling has continued to spike, especially among young bettors. 

By offering a sports betting class and promoting responsible gambling on campus, Loyola hopes to help students avoid compulsive gambling with either form of sports betting.

Should Education Start in High School?

Like it or not, most high school seniors will have access to legal sports betting at some point during their final year. Once they turn 18, they can download sports-prediction apps and start wagering. This not only puts them at risk, but also allows them to act as a proxy for even younger bettors at their school.

Many don’t want to see any form of sports betting in their schools, but that is no longer in their control. However, adding a special class to help prepare and educate students could have a significant impact and change how they view the activity.