College students have always had an image for being risk-takers with things like alcohol, drugs, music, sex, and gambling. The freedom of not living under the same roof as their parents or guardians for the first time allows young adults to try new experiences and opportunities. According to the National Center For Responsible Gaming (NCRG), approximately 75 percent of college students gambled during the past year, betting on the lottery, casino games, slots, cards, and sports. If you are a college student and want to gamble, how can you get the best odds with limited money?

Lottery Games

If you’re a college student in a state where gambling is legal, you can probably play lottery games. First, you should try to find gambling activities where you at least stand a reasonable chance of sometimes being a winner. The odds are based on which lottery games you’re playing, but if you’re trying to win one of the big games like Powerball or MegaMillions your odds are terrible. Smaller games, like Pick 3 or Pick 4, have slightly better odds of winning, but the payback percentage is just as awful. Also, you should avoid online lottery games run by offshore companies. And if you play state-run lottery games, budget your lottery amount and keep it within the limit.

Casino Games

If you want to play casino games, you need to find a casino. Age requirements differ for each casino, but they’re commonly the same as for the lottery. No matter which state you live in, you have to be at least 18 years old. Also, in many states, you have to be 21 years old. Just figure out the legal gambling age at the casino you’re planning to visit before going there. It would be a disgrace to waste your time driving to a casino where you’re not allowed to play. If you’re going to visit a casino to play casino games, you should make sure you can afford the chances, first. Most casinos have minimum bet sizes that differ from game to game. Some casinos might offer games where you can bet as little as $1, but other casinos might have betting limits that start at $25. Most college students are on a budget. So, spend some time learning about which casino games offer the best odds and which casino games offer the worst odds before you go.

Poker

Most college students play for lower bets than some experienced people are used to, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for less action as a poker player. Certainly, most casinos also have cardrooms on-site. College students who are legally old enough to play in that state and who can afford the buy-in can play poker just like anyone else.

Poker, though, is possibly the best gambling activity for most college students. You can even find covered neighborhood games to participate in. You’re probably better off starting with your friends and fellow students. As with any of the other gambling activities mentioned in this list, you should only play poker with money you can afford to lose.

Sports Gambling

Sports gamblers are the people who love to follow sports and actively take part in sporting events. These types of students consider themselves experts who gamble using strategies to make the games more exciting. The days of only being able to bet on sports in a casino are officially coming to end as online sports gambling is quickly gaining popularity. Despite the increasing popularity of sports gambling, it is still in the process of becoming legal in many states. So, you’re probably restricted to using a neighborhood bookmaker or an offshore site. Finding a reputable bookmaker is trickier, but it’s not impossible. You just want to avoid shady outfits. And in the case of offshore sites major challenge is sportsbooks cashing out your winnings. Spend some time researching online forums and look for a grievance about specific sportsbooks. Also, read some reviews before deciding where to play.

Point To Remember

What many college gamblers don’t understand is that you need a bankroll to gamble with. A bankroll is just an amount of money you’ve set out for gambling. The golden rule is, to only gamble with the money you don’t need for something else and if you’re deep in debt with student loans, you can’t afford to gamble. Also, if your parents are paying for your room and board, you should limit your gambling bankroll to small amounts. Budget your gambling actions appropriately, and never estimate that you’re going to win.