West Texas A&M University Blocks Access to Online Gambling

West Texas A&M University, the University that has been part of the Texas A&M University system since 1990 and is located in Canyon, Texas, announced it has completely blocked access to any online gambling websites.

Ban on Online Gambling Access via WT-Owned Networks and Devices

A confirmation about the complete block on online gambling emerged Monday from WT president Walter V. Wendler. The action follows a recent essay that emerged in Amarillo Globe-News, pointing to an increasing prevalence of predatory gambling websites across US college campuses.

The essay was shared with the campus earlier this week and resulted in the enforcement action against online gambling. The new policy comes into effect immediately, the University confirmed, and it will effectively block access to any online gambling websites via state resources.

As a result, students, staff and faculty members would no longer be able to access iGaming websites through any WT-owned devices connected to the internet, including laptops, desktop computers, cell phones, tablets or other devices.

Besides via WT-owned devices, access to online gambling is also going to be prohibited via WT’s WiFi networks. The prohibition will also apply to networks for guests available at the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center, the WT Enterprise Center, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum and Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

The University also pointed to data from The Conversation, a nonprofit news organization, according to which, some 6% of the college students are affected by gambling addiction. The aforementioned figure is concerning to say the least, especially considering that it is twice the percentage of adults addicted to gambling across the country.

College Students Are Vulnerable to Addictions

Besides informing college students and University staff of the blocked access to online gambling, Wendler commented on the topic. He wrote that college students undergo a “particularly formative stage,” which makes them vulnerable to “drug and substance abuse.”

Moreover, Wedler added: “There is not a single thread of evidence showing predatory gambling has a positive impact on academic excellence. And the pursuit of excellence is our first job.”

The University’s president spoke about the increasingly easy access to online gambling and sports betting. Finally, Wedler wrote that this easy access could result in the development of “more pervasive gambling habits among students.”

With only a handful of casinos operated by Native American Tribes, Texas is losing gambling revenue to neighboring states. Texans regularly cross the border to place sports wagers or engage in casino gambling. Those activities result in approximately $300 million in lost gambling tax revenue annually, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming estimates, based on a 10% tax rate.