Youth Sports Betting Curriculum & Program

Leading the Nation in Youth Gambling Prevention Education

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) is proud to lead the development of the first youth gambling-harm prevention curriculum in the United States focused specifically on sports betting and daily fantasy sports. Launched in May 2025, this five-session program helps young people recognize risks, challenge gambling myths and misconceptions, and build media and financial literacy skills through interactive lessons and lived-experience storytelling.

This groundbreaking initiative was made possible thanks to the leadership of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, which recognized the urgent national need for youth sports betting prevention and chose to pilot this curriculum across Massachusetts.

Phase 1 reached a total of 440 youth across multiple high schools and community-based organizations. Our trainers were highly effective in engaging students and reinforcing key prevention messages. After completing the program:

69% of youth said they were more likely to wait until they are of legal age before gambling on sports
78% said they would recommend the program to others their age
The percentage of students who believed gambling was an easy way to make money dropped from 53% to 44%

These results reflect a promising shift in attitudes and perceptions of sports betting and strong peer endorsement of the curriculum’s relevance and effectiveness.

Phase 2, launching in 2026, will build on the program’s early success by expanding its reach and impact. The next phase will engage a broader range of youth, including young adults, and meet students where they are, both in digital spaces and in-person learning settings. Guided by feedback from trainers and student participants, the updated curriculum will elevate quality, amplify student voices, and ensure the program continues to reflect students’ needs and experiences.

MACGH offers consultation and training for organizations interested in implementing this youth prevention curriculum in their own communities. For more information, please contact Odessa@macgh.org.