Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Short Video Addiction (SVA) on risky decision-making behavior among university students. Method: A comparative, ex post facto, between-group design was employed. The statistical population comprised undergraduate and graduate students at Islamic Azad University, Arslanian. A sample of 128 participants was selected using multi-stage cluster sampling and divided into SVA and non-addicted groups. Data was collected using the Short Video Addiction Scale (SVAS) and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Data analysis, after confirming statistical assumptions, used Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), controlling for age and sex. Results: The MANCOVA results indicated a statistically significant overall difference in risky decision-making behavior between the SVA and non-addicted groups, after controlling for age and sex (F (3, 122) = 34759.322, p < 0.001, Partial η(_P^2) = 0.999). Follow-up univariate analyses confirmed that the addicted group demonstrated a significantly higher Average Pumps for Unexploded Balloons (risk-taking) (F (1, 124) = 893.17, p < 0.001, Partial η(_P^2) = 0.878) and a significantly lower Number of Balloons with Collected Earnings (risk management) (F (1, 124) = 606.73, p < 0.001, Partial η(_P^2) = 0.830). Furthermore, age had a significant effect on risky decision-making behavior, while sex did not show a significant impact. Conclusion: Short video addiction is strongly associated with increased risky decision-making behavior and reduced risk management in university students.