Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 21
Two-Thirds of Healthcare Students Turn to Betting Sites to Fund Degrees as 70% Use Them Weekly
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 21

Two-Thirds of Healthcare Students Turn to Betting Sites to Fund Degrees as 70% Use Them Weekly

1 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 21

Summary

  • A Clasp survey of 1,000 respondents found about two-thirds of healthcare students using prediction markets and betting platforms think the sites can help pay for school, with nearly 70% saying they started for tuition or living costs.
  • More than 70% use platforms such as Kalshi or FanDuel at least a few times a week, driven by high education costs, tight schedules and limited financing options that make quick cash especially appealing.
  • Less than half reported gains, and most students won or lost only $100 to $1,000; the survey also logged one gain above $50,000 and one loss in that range, underscoring how uneven the outcomes are.
  • The financial strain extends beyond betting: 56% said they also rely on credit cards or side-income platforms such as TikTok, OnlyFans, YouTube or Substack, while nearly 30% cannot reliably cover a month's expenses.
  • The findings come after the Trump administration expanded higher borrowing limits for some graduate degrees, including nursing, though pharmaceutical sciences remain excluded from the professional-degree list.

Insights

With student loan access shrinking, are prediction markets an unavoidable gamble for aspiring healthcare professionals?
Are prediction markets a revolutionary financial tool or simply illegal gambling exploiting a regulatory loophole?