Legalized sports betting and easy mobile app access have boomed in Illinois since remote registration began in 2022. It’s a convenience that fuels concerns about rising youth participation and underage gambling through loopholes, exposing teens and young adults to aggressive marketing. Heightened risks of addiction, significant financial consequences and unique developmental challenges now confront young people navigating this betting culture.
Seeking tax revenue, Illinois legalized sports betting for those 21 and older via the Sports Wagering Act in June 2019. While online betting initially required in-person registration at a casino, this mandate was removed by later legislation (HB 3136), enabling permanent remote sign-ups starting in March 2022, and significantly altering the state’s betting landscape.
Existing legal loopholes related to online gambling help contribute to increased participation among youth. The 2021 Statewide Assessment of Gambling and Problem Gambling in Illinois found that the highest lifetime prevalence of online gambling occurred among residents aged 18 to 24.
“Unfortunately what happens is people will lie about their ages, use siblings’ accounts or use other peoples accounts in order to place bets,” said Megan Bice, Naperville Central health teacher. “So now we’re getting into the issue of lying and if something legally did happen, now students could get into severe consequences.”
Unlike fantasy sports, where participants often build virtual teams and compete based on player statistics, sports betting involves wagering actual money on the outcomes of real games.
Apps such as FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino, DraftKings and BetMGM are among the most popular choices for bettors in Illinois, each seeing spikes in use since remote registration simplified access.
“What people, students or teens can do is select a variety of different bets on these apps,” Bice said. “Some of them combine multiple sports, multiple games, into one bet and they’re able to upload money into the app, place their bets on it and then collect the money in some way.”
Illinois has solidified its position as a major player in the U.S. sports betting landscape, ranking fourth in lifetime betting handle. In the last completed fiscal year alone (FY24), sports wagering contributed approximately $190 million in state taxes and licensing fees.
While some sportsbook betting apps align their age minimums with state regulations (often 18 or 21), others maintain a uniform 21+ age approach across all states and use strict verification through photo ID, social security and address verification. However, verification processes on other platforms can be less rigorous.
“There’s one app called Fliff, which doesn’t require you to even put in an ID until you want to take money out,” senior Keso Sahadewan said. “So that’s why it’s a lot more chill and a lot of people use that one. But there’s also Underdog and Sleeper, which are almost geared towards underaged people.”
The Lure and Risk of Betting Addiction
“We look at addiction as not just substance but behaviors, and what can happen when we introduce sports gambling is the reward [addiction],” Bice said. “You place a bet, you win. Maybe it’s only five bucks, but it doesn’t matter; that’s gonna send off that pleasure pathway, that dopamine hit and people will continue to seek that out.”
Compared to traditional fantasy sports or older betting methods, modern sports betting apps often allow users quick access to funds or winnings within their accounts. For Sahadewan, having this monetary stake enhances the enjoyment of watching sports.
“When I set a player to get, you know, three three-pointers in a basketball game and then I’ll watch the game, I’ll stress out a bit and watch them,” Sahadewan said. “And because I’m getting money from it, it’s fun to see if it hits or not.”
For some people this rush of dopamine is what becomes addicting.
“If you have it in the app and you see your total amount, you’re only seeing that go up, that’s the problem and that’s what’s gonna give you that reward, the feel good,” Bice said. “Do you see the app showing you the red or the negative? Not necessarily.”
Since he started betting, Sahadewan estimates he has lost around $100-200 but has wagered close to $4,000 in total. He notes that while his typical bets might be relatively small, many of his friends bet on more games than he does or wager higher amounts.
One popular app among students, PrizePicks, is considered to be a fantasy sports operator making it legal to play in Illinois rather than a gambling site which would require users to be 21.
“I used to track how much I’d spent, and PrizePicks says I’ve won $3,100 but it doesn’t say how much I’ve spent either, so I don’t really know,” Sahadewan said. “But it is pretty hard to keep track, especially when you [bet] a lot, it’s kind of hard to keep track of every single purchase you make and then every win you have.”
Bice believes betting apps are introducing new fans to sports, noting how her friends with no prior interest are getting involved. She’s seen how it’s often significant others or siblings “drawing them in” to use the apps, getting people to bet even when they don’t even know the sport.
“I know people who are my age and older that are now struggling with [sports betting,]” Bice said. “What started off as something fun is now hard for them to stop. Because even though they just bet maybe $100 and they only won $10 out of it, it doesn’t matter, the win is what keeps on coming back.”
The risks of gambling addiction, particularly from sports betting, are heightened for young people. This increased vulnerability stems from the fact that the prefrontal cortex—crucial for planning, judgment and decision-making—is not fully developed during adolescence.
“And [betting] can unfortunately take over, it puts people in a lot of financial situations, because, again, they’re not looking at what they just bet to get that money, and it’s going to have financial repercussions,” Bice said. “It could affect your occupation, your job and your schooling.”
How Betting Reaches Youth
Lifetime Value is a metric that estimates the total revenue a business anticipates earning from a customer throughout their relationship with the company. The alcohol and tobacco industry has used this concept to their advantage for centuries, advertising to younger audiences hoping to draw them in for life—sports betting is no exception.
“There’s a lot of media and social media around sports betting,” Sahadewan said. “Some posts will tag ESPN Bet which is another Instagram account that’s focused on sports betting. The other day I was watching UFC and they had live odds for the game, money lines and spreads on the TV.”
While sportsbooks are legally prohibited from targeting ads at individuals under 21, they still reach younger demographics through methods like sponsoring young adult celebrities or promoting their brands on college campuses.
“We’ve seen the increase of gambling addiction go up just because of more states making it legal,” Bice said.
Data from the 2021 Statewide Assessment of Gambling and Problem Gambling in Illinois found that young adults were the most likely group to say they would not seek help for a gambling problem.
“[There’s] definitely more risk for teens,” Bice said. “Teens don’t see how much everything is yet, right? You don’t see the bills so the money in their mind might be a little more expendable than a person who has a mortgage, a car payment, or utilities, and therefore we’re seeing them put more in where we wouldn’t see an adult.”
While the Advanced Health course dives into more detail around the dangers of gambling, the typical health class only scratches the surface of gambling and addiction.
“Our addiction unit is based more on just the drugs,” Bice said. “You know, do I throw it out there every once in a while that addiction could be behavior? Yes. Could we cover it more? Yeah. It’s definitely something, probably in the next year, we will be implementing more.”
Sahadewan has not seen many of his friends lose substantial amounts of money due to betting, however, he acknowledged that sports betting holds high prevalence at Central especially during popular fantasy seasons such as march madness and the Super Bowl. Additionally, junior Vardhan Singu founded All-in Club at Central this December, which allows members to gamble in poker and blackjack, although no real money is involved.
Bice said one of the best ways to get help if you’re struggling with addiction is to have someone monitor your money, whether that be a parent, friend or significant other.
“If you call the gambling number and tell them that you need help, they will actually take your email, your phone number and they will make it so you cannot access [betting apps],” Bice said.
— Youth for Christ in Alexandria has been around for 15 years, but recently moved into its new home – the YFC Youth Center at 911 Highway 29 North, near the north McDonald’s.
A
grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony
will take place on Monday, Jan. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
Nick Jorgenson, the Alexandria area site director for YFC, said that actually,
Youth for Christ
moved into the building in March. However, the building wasn’t really usable until about two and half months ago, he said.
“We had to renovate the entire place,” said Jorgenson. “There was no flooring in here; we had to rip down some of the old walls and redo the bathroom and kitchen. It was a big project.”
Previously, the YFC program operated out of the building behind the Alexandria City Hall where Nordic Warriors is located. Jorgenson said they had a small space in the basement.
The new location is a much bigger space and includes several tables for participants to sit and play games, eat or visit with each other, along with a video gaming space and a foosball table. It also includes a handmade table with plug-ins and a removable top that can be used to play electronic games in a group setting.
Standing in the middle in front of the Youth for Christ Youth Center in Alexandria is Nick Jorgenson, Alexandria YFC director and Heidi Christensen, Parent Life director. Joining them were Sean Levesque, left, executive director for the Youth For Christ West Central Minnesota chapter in Willmar, and Josh Ottoson, the chapter’s Development and Ministry director.
Contributed photo / Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Jorgenson said there are lots of different activities for those who are 11 to 19 years old.
“Our number one goal is to reach students with the Gospel, to present Jesus to them, and offer them a way out of horrible situations and horrible lives in the difficult world we live in,” he explained. “It’s not easy to navigate sometimes and so we’re here to walk alongside them and help them become lifelong followers of Jesus. So that’s our goal. But we do it in a relational way.”
The students who attend Youth for Christ don’t just sit around reading the Bible and singing worship songs, Jorgenson added. He said instead, the team at YFC builds relationships with those who attend so that they can earn the right for the students to listen to them.
YFC offers lots of activities
YFC offers different after-school clubs. On Tuesdays, there is the middle school club and then Thursdays are for the high school club. Jorgenson said it’s a time and space after school for students to hang out, play board games, video games and build relationships with not just the adults, but also the other students.
He said they usually will have snacks and beverages and then he will also do what he calls a “life talk,” which usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
Nick Jorgenson
“We talk about things going on in their world today and I apply biblical principles without just quoting biblical scriptures to them,” said Jorgenson. “And obviously, it’s in our name – Youth for Christ – so they’re not surprised when I tell them about God or Jesus.”
There are also groups, like the gaming group, which meets every other Thursday night. A volunteer will come in and the group plays games together. Another activity is the Girls Art Night where just the girls come in and do some kind of arts and crafts project, hang out with one another and build relationships with their peers. This group is led by YFC female volunteers.
And now that they have the space, Jorgenson said they have started Friday Night Life, where one Friday a month they do an activity, like Bingo or recently, they had a Christmas party.
Students can come and go as they please these during all the activities at the youth center. They are not made to stay until a program is done.
Students have snacks at a table inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Contributed photo / Nick Jorgensen
Jorgenson said the students, as well as the parents, are informed that the students can come and go as they please and that there is not a membership to join. He added that he does collect contact information for both the students and their parents and/or guardians, providing the students give him their parent information. He said it doesn’t always happen, especially with the high school students.
The contact info is for mass messaging that is sent out regularly to students, parents, counselors, etc. to let them know about upcoming activities.
For instance, Jorgenson will let everyone know about an upcoming event called Winter Ignite 2026, which will take place Feb. 27 through March 1 at the Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria. It will feature guest speaker, Brandon Farris, and also Christian hip-hop artist 808 Beezy. For more information, send an email to josh@yfcminnesota.com.
Besides a new location, a new program offering at YFC will be starting in January 2026. Alexandria Parent Life, a ministry for pregnant and parenting teens, will be led by Parent Life Director Heidi Christensen.
This program was originally started in Willmar, which is where the main office for Youth For Christ West Central Minnesota is located. This is the chapter that the Alexandria YFC belongs to. Parent Life is also offered at the Hutchinson YFC.
Heidi Christensen
“This is a new launch for us here in Alexandria,” Christensen said. “We’ll start meeting with pregnant and parenting teens in January on Tuesday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.”
Parent Life is also offered to those ages 11 to 19, but Christensen said the program is a little bit different than the program Jorgensen runs.
She said there will be mentors and that they will be walking alongside the students in a kind-of pivotal point in their life. But, those who are attending are either pregnant or are already a parent.
“We are not a pregnancy center,” said Christensen. “When they come to us, they will have already either made the choice themselves to raise a child or carry the pregnancy to term but have an adoption plan in place. We do not do counseling of any kind. We’re here to walk alongside them and to have mentors.”
She added that parenting or being pregnant while still a teen is challenging and girls often find themselves ostracized from others. Parent Life will be a place where they can all get together and support one another.
Inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center there is an open space with tables and chairs for students to play games, hang with their friends or enjoy a snack.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
“They may be from different schools or come from different walks of life, but together they have something in common,” said Christensen.
The mentors in the Parent Life program are able to go with the teen moms to appointments and help them to get back on the path if they’ve dropped out of school, which Christensen said happens often.
Mentors will help them graduate from school, go to college if that was originally planned or go into the workforce.
“Oftentimes, girls who find themselves pregnant think that it is the end of their story and that is just not the case,” Christensen said. “We’re here to provide hope and get them back on track and provide them with parenting tips or even educational tips.”
Like in Jorgenson’s program, Christensen said there will be faith-based discussions, but really, the whole goal is to walk alongside the teens and that if it ends up they make a decision on their own to follow Jesus, that is great. But she stated it is not the sole purpose of the program.
The nursery, which isn’t quite finished, inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
In the new YFC Youth Center, there is also a nursery that will be staffed for those attending the Parent Life program who have children. Christensen also noted that there will be free diapers and wipes available to those attending the program.
For more information on the program send an email to heidi@yfcminnesota.com.
Information about the Alexandria Area Youth for Christ program can be found on Facebook at
facebook.com/AlexandriaYFC
or
yfcminnesota.com/ministries.
The video gaming station inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
A cozy corner for students to hang out at in the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Montgomery County based ballet schools perform holiday favorite to hundreds of fans.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without ballet performances of The Nutcracker. The Maryland Youth Ballet, based in Silver Spring, is currently in the midst of its marathon run of the holiday production.
“I really have seen the full circle of many students going from Gingersnaps all the way up to our Sugar Plum Fairies,” explained Deidre Byrne, Artistic Director and Principal for the Maryland Youth Ballet.
Rehearsals of the production began in the fall with frequent rehearsals and even individual coaching for those artists performing leading roles. More than 100 students are participating in the production, and there’s even a large group of dedicated parents who volunteer to help the young artists, school officials tell WUSA9.
“I think this experience has really encouraged dancers to be the best they could be,” said Byrne, when asked about how the impact of the performance schedule and preparation has been on the students.
The school’s production features some new costumes this season. MYB’s production of The Nutcracker includes several shows through Dec. 27. For Byrne, who was once a student at MYB, watching the students learn and rise to the challenge is something she enjoys most from the annual experience.
“It really is special for me to watch these kids grow into their artform and love what they’re doing,” she said.
It’s the season of giving. Since our sports friends celebrate all of the holidays, it’s time to hand out some gifts.
Cleveland Browns fans, I am gifting you at least three more years of patience. You have been so good at this. It’s like being a parent. Sure, you’re great at spending money on all of your kids. You, too, know that feeling of how great it was to get a present when you were a child. Well, guess what? I don’t see you getting anything until the team moves into the new dome. So, keep smiling when your kids get you another pair of socks.
Cincinnati Bengals fans, you get the gift of a happy and healthy Joe Burrow. I know he might sound a little frustrated right now. Just get him an offensive line, and that frown will turn upside down. I still think a healthy Burrow gets the Bengals to the top of the AFC North.
The Ohio State University football fans, you get a punching bag. I can’t think of a better gift to explain why the Buckeyes’ offense has fallen asleep in big games like Michigan last year and Indiana this year. I know Indiana was the No. 2 team in the country. But these games are like having money in the bank and then using an ATM from another bank. It’s like the $4 fee. You know you have to pay extra to get what you want.
Cleveland Cavaliers fans, you get a free pass to the trade deadline. I know the injuries are making things difficult. Things are not going as smoothly as they did last year. Head coach Kenny Atkinson is trying to figure things out. But, I think we are at the point where one of the guards has to go, and the team needs to stop chucking up three-pointers at the end of a game like they are playing recreation basketball. It’s hard to watch. Oops, the NBA Grinch is all over this one. He’s taking back the trade deadline gift. He just remembered that he bought not one, but two aprons for Cindy Lou Who. The second apron will cost them a move at the deadline. Here’s a bottle of Advil for this holiday headache.
Cleveland Guardians fans, for you, it’s simple. Bats. Could you imagine the surprise this spring to have a few hitters that could hit .240 to .250 all season? That would be awesome to have just one or two guys with a little pop next year, even if these players come from within the system. Looking at lineups with legit two hitters every game is as much fun as watching the Cavs take 100 three-pointers every night to end games.
Hockey fans. I see you. In Columbus, you are putting almost 16,700 in the stands every Blue Jackets game despite battling for the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Be proud.
Cleveland Monsters fans, you have a tradition of leading the AHL in attendance, and you are doing a great job again this season. I give the gift of being strong through the good times and the bad.
Youth sports’ parents, you get the gift of time. You need to realize that time moves so fast, and your wallet empties so quickly. Your gift is a deep breath. To have the moment when you realize this is not going to last forever. It’s not worth trying to keep up with the Joneses. You may think your kid is going pro only to realize that they hit puberty before all the other kids. I say it all the time. Stop yelling at the officials. They didn’t wake up in the morning trying to figure out how to stop your kid from getting name, image, likeness money. We are really struggling to find refs and umps. Let’s give them a break this holiday season.
Andy Baskin writes about Sports for the Cleveland Jewish News. To read more from him, visit cjn.org/baskin.
If you have a suggestion for a column idea for Andy Baskin, send him an email at columnists@cjn.org. He can be heard on “Baskin & Phelps” weekdays on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland at audacy.com.
BENNINGTON — In a collaboration between Chess on the Hill and the Bennington Free Library, youth in grades K through 8, are invited to register for the December 28 “Frosty Knights Chess Challenge Tournament” at the Bennington Free Library.
The event is free of charge and open to the public.
Youth throughout the area are encouraged to enter and, according to Youth Services Librarian Linda Donigan, there are no geographical limits – “Everyone is welcome, no matter where you live.” This includes youth from Vermont, but also from New York and Massachusetts and, “well – anywhere, really.”
“We are very very excited to sponsor this tournament with area children, especially with kids now coming from as far away as Williamstown and the Manchester area,” said Donigan. “Trever Plizga has spread the love of chess throughout our county, and into the Berkshires.”
Plizga, Donigan said, has created a number of after school chess clubs throughout the region, and has worked with the Bennington Free Library to create multiple tournaments for area youth.
“These Scholastic Tournaments are always fun,” said Donigan, noting that it is an excellent way for youngsters to meet others in the area with similar interests.
“It is very motivating for kids to work on their chess skills, and to prepare for the tournaments, and it’s a way for kids to participate in – well, in sports it would be a playoff, but here, it is like athletics for the mind. And, these types of tournaments are very motivating in terms of kids focusing on building their skills.”
The “Frosty Knights Chess Challenge Tournament” will be run as a Scholastic Chess Tournament, starting at 10 a.m. and concluding around 1 p.m.
Parents are asked to register their children by emailing chessonthehill@gmail.com with the player’s name, age, school, and the parent’s contact information (preferred phone number and email).
Donigan stressed that the “school” is for record-keeping and should not be seen as a barrier – homeschoolers are encouraged to join, as well.
The “Frosty Knights Chess Challenge Tournament” will take place on a Sunday, Donigan noted – a day when the Bennington Free Library is typically closed. However, Donigan added, the Children’s Room will be kept open to allow parents a place to hang out and enjoy the Wi-Fi – should they choose to stay.
More information can be found at benningtonfreelibrary.org/about/youth-services, or by emailing chessonthehill@gmail.com.
Three Edwards County residents has had felony charges filed against them this week by Edwards County State’s Attorney, Eric St. Ledger.
Phillip Walden, 54, of Albion, has been charged with domestic battery with a prior conviction. This charge was also filed on Monday, and a court date is pending.
25-year-old Bradley Cummins of Grayville has been charged with possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, a Class 3 felony. He also faces charges of aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of an expired FOID card. No court date has been scheduled.
43-year-old Martin A. Williams of Grayville faces aggravated drunk driving charges—his third such offense—as well as aggravated DUI while driving on a revoked license. The charges were filed on Monday, and a court date has not yet been set.
The Myrtle Beach Corvette Club (MBCC) recently presented checks to two local nonprofit charities that the club supports.
Proceeds from their 28th Annual Corvettes at the Beach are used to make these contributions possible. The donations went to Canine Angels, where rescued dogs are trained as service dogs to assist disabled veterans, autistic children and first responders, and Julie’s Kids, which provides for children in foster care.
2025 is a record year for the club donations to charity. Checks were presented in the amount of $15,260 to each charity. Through its annual car show, the club has raised over $240,000 over the past 10 years. Myrtle Beach Corvette Club website is www.myrtlebeachcorvetteclub.com.
The Myrtle Beach Corvette Club covers Brunswick County in North Carolina and Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina, with over 300 club members between the three counties.
