As fantasy football draws to an end, some LSE students might find their wallets slightly lighter, while others may be facing legal trouble. Students are engaging in what they think is “low-stakes” fantasy football betting, oftentimes blurring the line between harmless fun and potentially illegal pastimes.
At LSE, what many students see as harmless fantasy football betting may actually violate state law and could lead to real consequences. This gambling is growing significantly among minors. According EducationWeek, a news organization that covers K-12 education, 60 to 80 percent of high school students report having gambled in some way during the last year according to
EducationWeek continues by stating, gambling addictions have grown by 30 percent from 2018 to 2021, predominantly among young males in sports betting. This sports betting is finally leaking into high school fantasy football leagues.
Much like gambling, fantasy football is growing rapidly. According to ESPN Press Room, as of 2025 there are more than 14 million fans playing ESPN Fantasy Football, making it the No. 1 most popular fantasy football game. Other evidence suggests upwards of 60 million people participate in fantasy football by using other fantasy football apps. As more and more people join fantasy leagues, the amount of money bet on these private leagues is increasing rapidly.
An eleventh grader at LSE, has been participating in a fantasy football league for the past five years. Currently, he’s in a group of six students from LSE and another student from a different school in Lincoln. For the past three years, each group member has wagered $5 to $25 to the winner of their league.
This year the bet is $25. Although he is aware of the potential legal and social consequences, the student believes the gambling creates excitement and forces commitment to the league.
“$25 isn’t a crazy amount to me,” the LSE student said. “[The money] makes it so you care more about [the team].”
Most of his friends don’t care about the small bet either; however, there are a few who have objected in the past.
“I think it’s more of the fact that [my friends who object] know they’re not going to care much about the league, so they don’t want to bet the money,” the LSE student said.
While the small bet of $25 might not be a major loss for the student, the potential legal consequences may force other students to reconsider their decision to gamble.
But the legality gets murky… is wagering on your fantasy league truly gambling?
Gateway Foundation, a non-profit for addiction treatment, claims that some argue fantasy sports are considered “skill gambling” as you’re unlikely to win money if you don’t research, strategize and plan. This would legally exclude fantasy sports from laws regarding sports betting.
That’s where Nebraska law steps in. The Nebraska legislature declares ‘fantasy sports contests’ as purely a game of chance. In Chapter 28 of Nebraska Law, it says wagering on any game of chance is considered wagering/gambling. Under this law, any participants of ages below 19 are prohibited from sports wagering.
So while experts disagree whether betting on fantasy football is truly gambling, under Nebraska law it is illegal for minors regardless.
The specific law that defined ‘fantasy sports contests’ is known as the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act, and Nebraska law later goes on to clarify that anyone who willfully violates or attempts to violate terms of the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act is guilty of a Class I Misdemeanor.
A misdemeanor is dependent on the judge’s discretion, but Henry & Beaver Law go on to list some potential short-term and long-term consequences. Among the short-term consequences are fines, suspension from school, and even community service.
The LSE student questions the validity of the consequences.
“Other than taking some time out of my day, I don’t feel like money is a huge aspect of fantasy football,” the LSE student said. “I put the money in because I’m trying to make it fun… to show I’m dedicated.”
Regardless, these consequences are serious, but even so, the student believes the enforcement of it is lax, and while he has heard of several consequences to gambling as a minor he’s never heard of anyone getting caught.
While the short-time consequences pale in comparison to jail time, according to Henry & Beaver Law, a misdemeanor results in a criminal record, which is available to employers, college admittance, loaner/bankers, and more.
The LSE student disregards these long-term consequences, offering up an explanation as to why.
“Everyone knows they’re not expecting to win,” the student said. “They’re just betting the money so that… everyone doesn’t give up.”
Because their gambling is harmless and they aren’t expecting to win, the student believes it’s just for fun. He indicated that he will continue to gamble, disregarding the legal and social consequences, because his league’s gambling is “responsible” and for excitement.
While the law has expressed undeniable negatives and the LSE student provides positives toward gambling on fantasy leagues. It goes to question: for most students, does the thrill of gambling plus the added bonus of taking home hundreds of dollars outweigh potential fines and even worse future repercussions?
