Beyond the Bet - A Look at Sports Betting and Gambling Among College Student Athletes

Includes a Live Web Event on 03/17/2026 at 11:30 AM (CDT)

Please join us on March 17th, 2026 from 11:30am-1:00pm CT with Dan Trolaro!

As sports betting shifts from the sidelines to the mainstream, "emerging adults" (ages 18–25) face unique risks fueled by digital accessibility and growing marketing. This workshop dives beneath the surface of point spreads and parlays to explore the psychological and social drivers of gambling and personality traits that make student-athletes uniquely vulnerable.

Participants will examine the thin line between healthy and potentially problematic behavior, the impact that sports betting, DFS, and player props have on college athletics, and local areas for prevention and support. Come gain the tools needed to foster informed decision-making in an era of unprecedented gambling integration.

Learning Objectives:

Explain Vulnerability Factors: Recognize the specific personality traits and risk factors that elevate gambling risk for emerging adults.
Navigate the Landscapes: Identify NCAA rules and regulations, problematic gambling warning signs and tips for safer gambling strategies
Identify Available Resources: Understand the resources available in the state of Illinois including clinical methods, peer and prevention support, and print resources.

Live and On Demand CE pending approval.

This training is sponsored in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

ICPG workshops and trainings provide CEU (continuing education units) through the Illinois Certification Board based on approval for individual trainings.
The State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Division of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has approved all ICPG workshops and trainings as a Registered Social Worker CE Sponsor. This program is recognized as providing CE hours for: LSW/LCSW and LPC/LCPC under IDFPR license #159.001302.
The International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization recognizes ICPG as a preferred partner for workshops and trainings in line with the ICGC Level I & II.

Dan Trolaro

Managing Director of Education and Fair Play

Daniel Trolaro currently serves as the Managing Director of Education and Fair Play for IC360, a global leader in sports betting integrity. Previously, he was the Assistant Executive Director for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, better known as (800 GAMBLER) where he became a prominent voice in addressing emerging trends in sports betting, fantasy sports, gambling and youth gaming.

Dan’s expertise is uniquely shaped by his academic background in Psychology and Finance, as well as a 12-year career in high-stakes investment banking at firms like Goldman Sachs. However, his most profound insights come from his lived experience. Having worked downtown and after witnessing the tragic events of September 11, 2001 firsthand, Dan started to suffer in silence without a guiding voice. After a long, private battle with a gambling disorder and a life-altering journey through the criminal justice system, Dan began his recovery in February 2010.

Today, he is dedicated to turning 'suffering into success.' He co-hosts the 'Hello My Name Is Craig' podcast with Radio and TV personality Craig Carton and has shared his story with Mark Laita on his YouTube channel, Soft White Underbelly. A passionate advocate for youth literacy, Dan has been instrumental in developing specialized curricula to help educators navigate the modern convergence of gaming and gambling.