As reported by the Billings Gazette: “Poker players are becoming the
21st-century version of campus jocks, said Montana State University-Billings
sophomore Dustin Swensgard. “.More than half of male college students
interviewed last summer in a national survey had gambled on card games at
least once a month, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the
University of Pennsylvania. More than 15 percent of male college students
across the country gambled in card games in an average week. “The survey
found that a little fewer than 2 percent of female college students gambled
on cards in a week, and more than 26 percent had played monthly.

“The most popular game at MSU-B, as on other campuses, is Texas Hold ‘Em, a
game that’s easy to learn but remains challenging for players with more
skill, said Shaun Johnson, a sophomore from Billings.

“.Resident assistants organize poker nights where no money is bet. Students
also play in their own, informal games, said Nick Cordingly, area
coordinator for Anderson and Widenhouse halls.

“.The University of Montana also has a no-gambling policy in campus dorms.

“.Several students say there’s a strong link between poker and athletics.
Some say that poker has gone beyond being a card game and now is thought of
as a sport.”