College students across the nation are not sort of any gambling options.  Online casinos, though not yet regulated in the United States, are highly accessible.  In addition to that several states are either introducing gambling or expanding gambling in their territories.  Although traditionally colleges have a tendency to punish students for addiction issues like compulsive gambling at online casinos or even alcoholism, a few progressive campuses are starting to recognize addition as a legitimate psychological issue that requires treatment.

Smaller campuses in particular have been taking steps toward helping their students with gambling issues.  As a matter of fact when the highly anticipated Sands opened its doors in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Moravian College immediately began distributing literature to promote gambling awareness. 

Sure every program in a college will thrive with money to spend and literature costs money, but many of the measures required to combat problem gambling on campuses are not very expensive.  Most campuses already have counseling services in place and need only expand services to include addressing problem gambling.

“We are small enough that we can provide these services on an individual basis, but we do not have formal programs in place,” said Muhlenberg College spokesman Mike Bruckner.

Although it may be too late for their children many parents are happy to see that colleges are taking this step to help students with addiction issues.  Greg Hogan is one of those parents.  His son spent 22 months in a state prison for attempting to rob a bank for the purpose of funding his gambling habit.

“The leave of absence, in particular, would have been a big help,” said Hogan.