just curious: is betting on sports aloud at USNA?

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2024candidate

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I occasionally like to wager some money on games that I am especially excited for, but I have a feeling that is not allowed at USNA. Doesn't really bother me, I'm just curious if it is allowed.
 
I'm sure Capt MJ can give a more official answer according to the midshipmen regs as a former Battalion officer, but I can't imagine that is something that the Academy would condone. It would be pretty awkward having guys with no necks outside the gate waiting to collect money from mids.
 
Nothing like plowing through the primary source, Mid Regs, a skill you will become well-versed at as a junior officer.



Maryland’s lower age limit is 21 for sports betting.

www.sportsbettingdime.com

How Old Do You Have to Be to Place a Sports Bet?

Different states have different age limits for sports betting. You must be 18 in most states, but others require you to be 19 or 21. Check your state here.
www.sportsbettingdime.com www.sportsbettingdime.com

Military folks are certainly allowed to gamble on their off-duty hours, on liberty or leave, while abiding by local regulations.
 
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But I imagine trips to the Preakness make for a nice post exam excursion in May to blow off some steam before commissioning week.
 
Not to be preachy, but gambling (although legal in many instances) is still a VICE. We have several gamblers in our family and I can assure you it has gotten them all into trouble at one point or another. Maybe now (whether you end up at an Academy or another college) would be a good time to reassess your desire to gamble.

However, I'm biased. I've always been a HUGE sports fan and I think that sports gambling is ruining all sports.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
Not to be preachy, but gambling (although legal in many instances) is still a VICE. We have several gamblers in our family and I can assure you it has gotten them all into trouble at one point or another. Maybe now (whether you end up at an Academy or another college) would be a good time to reassess your desire to gamble.

However, I'm biased. I've always been a HUGE sports fan and I think that sports gambling is ruining all sports.
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Appreciate your input, but I don't have an addictive personality, and have been betting with friends for a couple years with no problem. I've net about 200$ in 3-4 years. That's how little money I'm betting. But this is off-topic.
 
I would be careful about gambling with upper classmen or enlisted personnel.

I saw a few examples of the issues that can cause while in the fleet.
 
I assumed the OP was perhaps referring to online sports betting at a legitimate site.

There are indeed specific military regulations about gambling in the work place (such as March Madness pools), with enlisted personnel, etc. I think if I pored through the Joint Ethics Regulations (JER), I would find the bit about “not in or on government leased or owned property,” the phrase that sticks in my memory.

One of the key tenets is “not to bring discredit to the naval service.”

Here is a link to a sample of Navy training on gambling, designed to educate leaders on those who experience problems with gambling. Junior officers are expected to be looking out for their troops and know how to counsel them. Page 282 speaks to military directives.
 
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More seriously ... 17 and 18 year old kids shouldn’t be gambling. Sports at that age should be about dedication, hard work, team work, sportsmanship, etc.

Or sports heroes to look up to as role models for the good things they represent.

Sports betting Is stupid. A physical education teacher from my high school committed suicide because he couldn’t pay his bookie and was afraid of being tortured.
 
Another thing to consider would be how potential gambling problems or financial mismanagement can impact one's ability to obtain a security clearance.
 
‘Wagers’ of a sort do happen during football season, at least in DD’s Company. Fun wagers, for example making a 1C Plebe for a day, etc. Supe even was in on the action, saw a cute video of a shocked Plebe opening the door to the Supe so he could give his stars to a Plebe he lost a wager to.
 
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