INDIANAPOLIS --- The National Collegiate Athletic Association is teaming up with the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling in an effort to curb sports wagering activities in young adults. The three associations, which each have a strong focus on raising awareness and education on the dangers associated with sports wagering, combined efforts to develop and distribute a comprehensive curriculum for high school student-athletes.

The curriculum is designed to educate high school student-athletes on the various forms of gambling, the addictive dangers of these activities, as well as the possible adverse impacts on a student-athlete’s education, sport, professional career and future. The three organizations partnered in the development of the curriculum guidelines for coaches and instructors and will begin to rollout the program to high schools nationwide this spring.

Studies conducted by the NCAA and Florida Council on Comprehensive Gambling independently of one another helped identify the opportunity and need for youth education regarding the dangers of sports wagering.  A recent NCAA study of gambling and associated behaviors among collegiate student-athletes found that nearly 45 percent of students surveyed placed their first sports wager in high school or earlier. In addition, a Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling study found that sports wagering is among the top three forms of gambling among Florida residents.

This sports wagering curriculum can also be utilized in conjunction with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s “Problem Gambling Prevention Program for High School Students.”

“Gambling has become a serious problem for many young people and we are gratified that the NCAA and NFHS are actively launching prevention curriculum,” explained Pat Fowler, executive director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling. “Our joint program empowers students to make informed decisions that can impact their lives in the short and long-terms.  It also provides the means by which students and student athletes can access help for a gambling problem in a secure and confidential manner.”

The high school curriculum also represents the latest component of the NCAA’s ongoing “Don’t Bet on It” educational campaign.

“The NCAA is committed to educating student-athletes, coaches and the public about the dangers of sports wagering,” said Rachel Newman-Baker, director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities at the NCAA. “We want them to know the risks of getting involved at any level with sports wagering. It is damaging to student-athletes’ reputation, eligibility, career and well-being. We are very excited about our partnership with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling and the National Federation of High Schools to educate high school student-athletes.”

The National Federation of State High School Associations already provides coaches with a student-centered curriculum for creating healthy and age-appropriate experiences that support the academic missions of its members. The NFHS plans to distribute the curriculum to its member state organization members for use in the classroom.

“Partnering with the NCAA and the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling enables the NFHS to provide accurate and timely information to raise students’ awareness on the problems with sports wagering,” stated NFHA chief operating officer Bob Gardner. “Addressing sports wagering at the high school level is a necessity if we are going to make a difference in the lives of students who first participate at this age.”

For additional information, visit ncaa.org, www.dontbetonit.org or www.gamblinghelp.org.