Michigan State University is ending a multi-year deal with Caesars Sportsbook just over a year after it was announced.
With the contract ending, the online gambling company will no longer be promoted at Michigan State athletic events.
Concerns were initially raised about the contract because of students’ safety, especially those who are under the legal age of gambling.
Michigan Association on Problem Gambling President Michael Burke said online gambling is causing harm to students.
“Before online gambling took over, it was difficult for people to get to a casino and gamble. Now every student at Central Michigan, at Michigan State and Michigan carries a casino around in their back pocket,” Burke said.
According to the NCAA, 67% of students living on college campuses gamble with 16% of them involved in risky bets.
Burke said the companies that are making deals with different colleges can really hurt students by encouraging them to gamble even when they are underage.
“These programs that are going into the universities, we find most disturbing,” he said.
Lousiana State University also backed out of its contract with Caesars Sportsbook.