Massachusetts schools piloted a sports-betting prevention curriculum for young people, with the rollout timed in part to the World Cup.
WBUR described the approach as a four-session program that covers problem-gambling warning signs, common misconceptions about sports betting, and financial literacy skills.
CommonWealth Beacon said the curriculum uses four 45-minute lessons that debunk myths about sports betting, convey risks and harms, and include strategies to outsmart sports-betting ads, along with financial skills for making wise spending choices.
WBUR reported the curriculum pilot involved 15 high schools and seven middle schools. CommonWealth Beacon also described an earlier spring 2025 introduction, when the program was given to 445 students at five high schools and through three community organizations.
In surveys of students who participated, 70% could identify warning signs of problem gambling, 64% said they intend to wait until they are of legal age to gamble, and 78% said they would recommend the program to a peer.
CommonWealth Beacon reported that, in 2024, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General formed a Youth Sports Betting Safety Coalition with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Boston professional sports teams. It said the coalition tapped the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health to create an evidence-based curriculum for ages 12 to 20, and that Shekinah Hoffman led the curriculum’s development.
CommonWealth Beacon said the lessons were intended to give students “the power and the tools and letting them learn but also coming from a place of curiosity and self-reflection, rather than judgment.” WBUR also quoted Dr. Timothy Fong describing the need for a thoughtful, meaningful conversation.
CommonWealth Beacon reported that after evaluation and refinement, the curriculum is taking place in spring with 2,000 students at 15 high schools and 200 students at five middle schools.
