Modeling the Impact of Sports Betting on Mathematics Performance Among Pre-Service Teachers in a Ghanaian College of Education

Male college students are increasingly engaging in sports betting, which has led to serious worries about how it can affect their academic performance, especially in mathematics. A mixed-method research design was used in this study to examine how sports betting affected Mampong College of Education students' mathematical competency. The study included 200 male students as a purposive sample. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to acquire qualitative insights, while structured questionnaires and academic records were used to collect quantitative data. Additionally, a differential equation model that included variables like betting frequency, financial stress, and cognitive overload was created to depict the pace of change in students' mathematics performance. Sports betting and math proficiency were found to be significantly correlated negatively, according to quantitative data. This conclusion was corroborated by qualitative data, which revealed important issues such as diminished study time, peer pressure, academic distraction, and emotional suffering. The model's simulation output showed that higher betting activity was linked to a decline in performance. In order to lessen the negative academic effects of sports betting, the study suggests focused awareness efforts, institutional policy enforcement, and the creation of student support services.