CANYON, Texas (KFDA) – West Texas A&M University President Dr. Walter Wendler announced online gambling sites can no longer be accessed using WTAMU resources, including Wi-Fi.

In a news release, Wendler criticizes the increasing prevalence of what he calls “predatory gambling sites.”

“College students at a particularly formative state in their lives can develop habits and lifestyles that are akin to drug and substance abuse,” said Wendler.

“There is not a single thread of evidence showing predatory gambling has a positive impact on academic excellence,” he continued. “And the pursuit of excellence is our first job.”

Effective immediately, WT students, faculty and staff members will not be allowed to access any online gambling site utilizing state resources.

That includes any WT owned cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktops and other internet-connected devices.

Such websites also will be blocked for anyone using WT provided Wi-Fi, which includes visitors to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the WT Enterprise Center and Harrington Academic Hall at the WTAMU Amarillo Center.

Copyright 2024 KFDA. All rights reserved.