College Students Increasingly Using Fantasy Sports Apps

The blurring line between fantasy sports and sports betting raises concerns about responsible gambling and student involvement.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:18am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a college sports event, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange conveying the complex interplay between fantasy sports and sports betting.The blurring of fantasy sports and traditional sports betting raises concerns about the impact on college students' involvement in and relationship with athletics.Las Vegas Today

The rise of legalized sports betting across the United States has led to an increase in college students using fantasy sports apps, which often operate in a legal gray area between traditional sports gambling and skill-based fantasy leagues. Experts warn that the easy access and marketing of these apps to young adults can blur the line between sports fandom and problematic gambling behaviors.

Why it matters

The expansion of sports betting, including through fantasy sports apps, has raised concerns about the potential for increased gambling addiction, harassment of athletes, and the use of these platforms for betting on non-sports events like elections. As college students are a prime target market for these apps, there are worries about the impact on their financial well-being and mental health.

The details

Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, 38 states and Washington D.C. have legalized some form of sports gambling. This has led to a surge in online sportsbooks and the blurring of the line between traditional sports betting and fantasy sports leagues, which are often marketed to younger audiences. Fantasy apps rely more on individual player statistics rather than game outcomes, but experts say this distinction is becoming increasingly blurred as the apps expand into prop bets and other non-traditional gambling formats.

  • In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, paving the way for state-level legalization.
  • In 2025, Americans legally bet $166.94 billion on sports, an 11% increase from the previous year.

The players

Andrew Billings

Professor in the College of Communication and Information Sciences and executive director of the Alabama Program in Sports Communication.

Brian Petrotta

Professor of sports media at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who has published work on the origins and ramifications of sports betting.

Evan Dixon

A senior majoring in criminal justice who uses fantasy sports apps on occasion.

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What they’re saying

“What is defined as fantasy sports has been stretched to the very edge of what it could be. So for a game now to be considered fantasy for the most part, you have it based off of a single player's performance.”

— Brian Petrotta, Professor of sports media

“I think it definitely helps with their ability to be involved with sports programs and to attend and to actually experience and watch the games.”

— Evan Dixon, College student

“Even if their team wins, if this prop bet doesn't hit, they're frustrated and maybe even angry.”

— Brian Petrotta, Professor of sports media

What’s next

Petrotta will present at the Alabama Summit on Sports and Gaming on Wednesday and Thursday in the Yellowhammer Room of Gorgas Library, where he is expected to further discuss the implications of the blurred lines between fantasy sports and traditional sports betting.

The takeaway

The rapid expansion of legalized sports betting, including through fantasy sports apps, has raised concerns about the potential impact on college students, who are a prime target market for these platforms. Experts warn that the easy access and marketing of these apps can blur the line between sports fandom and problematic gambling behaviors, leading to financial and mental health issues for young adults.