As more U.S. states adopt personal finance education mandates, Oklahoma is customizing its curriculum to reflect local economic realities, including the prominence of gambling. With over 140 tribal casinos, the state ranks just behind Nevada in terms of gaming operations.
These establishments play a major role in the state’s economy and culture — making it essential for students to understand both their economic benefits and associated risks.
Real-Life Lessons in the Classroom
At Mustang High School near Oklahoma City, finance teacher Carrie Hixon integrates gambling education into her curriculum. Her approach goes beyond budgeting and taxes, focusing on how games of chance work, the low probability of winning, and the psychological traps of gambling.
For example, students participate in interactive lessons using coins and dice to understand randomness and probability. One such activity challenges misconceptions like the gambler’s fallacy, where students believe past outcomes affect future results.
The Hidden Costs of Gambling
According to the Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming, over 1 in 20 Oklahomans now meet the criteria for gambling addiction, nearly double the rate from a decade ago.
Teachers like Hixon aim to raise awareness about how easy it is to fall into risky behavior — especially with the rise of online gambling and gaming features like loot boxes that mimic casino mechanics.
Eighteen-year-old student Brayden Pierce candidly shared how his habit began with video games and could escalate if he had the money. His story exemplifies why these lessons are more relevant than ever.
Community and Casino Insights
Even industry insiders acknowledge the risks. Chad Mathews, a marketing director at a Shawnee casino, advises his own son to steer clear. “You don’t make enough to be here,” he tells him, underscoring that casinos are businesses built to generate profit, not hand out easy wins.
Oklahoma’s National Influence
With online betting on the rise, other states are looking to Oklahoma for guidance. The Oklahoma Council on Economic Education has received inquiries about how to teach the dangers of gambling effectively.
As more youth are exposed to gambling through both virtual and real-world environments, this kind of education is becoming a national priority.
Oklahoma is leading the way in integrating gambling risk awareness into its public school curriculum, tailoring financial literacy to match the realities students face in their communities.
Through classroom simulations, open discussions, and real-life connections, educators like Carrie Hixon are helping students become more informed and cautious when it comes to gambling.
Whether or not these lessons prevent future problems, they undoubtedly provide the tools and knowledge young adults need to make smarter financial decisions.