Rising Gambling Risk Among UK Students

Recent research has highlighted a growing concern about student gambling in UK universities. According to the fourth Annual Student Gambling Survey, commissioned by GAMSTOP and Ygam, more than one in six students who gamble are classified as being in the ‘problem gambling’ category, a figure that is four times higher than the general population. This alarming trend is leading experts to call for greater awareness and targeted support for students at risk.

Key Findings of the Student Gambling Survey

The Student Gambling Survey, conducted by Censuswide and involving 2,000 students from universities across 17 UK cities, provides a comprehensive look at gambling behaviors among the student population. The findings shed light on the extent of the issue and the factors that contribute to gambling-related harm among students.

The survey found that 17% of students were classified as being at high risk of gambling harm, while 29% were at moderate risk, according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), a three-item tool used to assess the severity of gambling problems. These figures highlight the urgency of addressing gambling-related issues in the student population.

Male Students: A Higher Risk Group

Male students were found to be more likely than females to fall into the problem gambling category. On average, male students who gamble spend almost 1.7 times more on gambling than their female counterparts. In fact, male students’ mean spend on gambling is £33.54 per week, which is almost as much as their weekly grocery bill of £36, according to the National Student Money Survey (2024).

Moreover, nearly one in ten male student gamblers spend between £51-£100 per week on gambling, which is significantly higher than the average weekly expenditure on food. These figures underscore the financial burden that gambling can place on students, potentially affecting their overall wellbeing and university experience.

Online Sports Betting: The Most Popular Form of Gambling

Online sports betting is the most popular form of gambling among male students, with 25% of them participating in this activity. On average, male students who engage in online sports betting do so on 91 days of the year, which is approximately every other working day in a typical university term. This frequent engagement in gambling raises concerns about the long-term impact on their mental health, academic performance, and overall quality of life.

Motivation Behind Gambling: The Quest for Money

One of the most concerning findings of the survey is that 45% of students, and 50% of male students, gamble with the hope of making money. However, the reality is often quite different. While 20% of students claim to make money from gambling, a much higher proportion, 40%, report that gambling has negatively affected their university experience. In fact, one in ten students say they have struggled to afford food due to their gambling habits, highlighting the significant financial strain that gambling can place on students.

The Role of Peer Pressure and Social Media

Peer pressure and social media play significant roles in influencing students’ gambling behaviors. Nearly one in three students who gamble say they are influenced by their friends, while one in four cite social media as a key factor. University societies also have an influence, with almost one in ten students citing them as a factor driving their gambling behavior. Advertising is another key influence, with 13% of students saying that it encourages them to gamble.

Awareness of Support Services

Despite the risks associated with student gambling, more than half of students (53%) say they are aware of the support services available at their university for gambling-related problems. Furthermore, 59% of students who gamble say they would feel confident accessing these support services if needed. This shows that there is a level of awareness and willingness to seek help, but more needs to be done to ensure that all students are aware of the support available to them.

Other Key Findings of the Survey

In addition to the concerning gambling statistics, the survey uncovered other important findings related to students’ financial behaviors and attitudes toward gambling:

Cryptocurrency Investments: 21% of students have invested in cryptocurrency over the past year, with males being more than twice as likely to have done so as females. This reflects the growing trend of digital investments among younger generations.

Video Game Gambling: 66% of students who play video games have made a random chance purchase in the past, with half of them agreeing that these purchases are a form of gambling. This highlights the need for greater education about the risks associated with gambling-like features in video games.

Cultural Differences: The survey found that 23% of Asian student gamblers experience ‘problem gambling,’ with higher rates of low and moderate-risk gambling (20% and 36%, respectively) within this group. This underscores the importance of considering cultural differences when designing gambling prevention and support programs.

Key Recommendations for Addressing Gambling Harm

The report makes several key recommendations to address the growing issue of gambling harm among students:

Targeted Prevention Education: There is a need for more tailored prevention programs that take into account cultural differences, particularly to meet the needs of students from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

Incorporating Gambling Harm Prevention into University Strategies: Universities should make gambling harm prevention and support a core part of their strategies to improve student health and wellbeing. This includes upskilling staff and improving communication about the availability of support services.

Education About In-Game Purchases: More education is needed about the risks associated with in-game purchases in video games, and how these can resemble regulated gambling products.

Further Research: There is a need for further research into the discrepancy between students’ motivations for gambling and the amount they actually spend on gambling each week. This will help to better understand the underlying factors driving student gambling behaviors.

The Silence the Stigma Campaign

In response to these findings, Ygam has partnered with the National Union of Students (NUS) Charity to launch the Silence the Stigma campaign. This initiative aims to encourage students to look out for signs of gambling harm in their peers and to start conversations about the issue. The campaign will be launched at Queen Mary University of London on 6th March, as part of National Student Money Week.

Statements from Experts

Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at GAMSTOP, emphasized the importance of the research, noting that while gambling among students has decreased slightly, the risk of gambling harm remains disproportionately high. Palmer stressed the need for targeted support and education about the consequences of gambling.

Dr. Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer at Ygam, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that students remain a group that engages in gambling in significant numbers. She noted that economic and social pressures, as well as the increasing digitalization of student life, are key factors influencing gambling behaviors. Rigbye stressed the importance of continued education and guidance to build resilience against the potential harms of gambling.

Conclusion

The findings from the fourth Annual Student Gambling Survey paint a concerning picture of gambling behaviors among students in UK universities. While awareness of the risks is increasing, there is still a significant gap between students’ understanding of the dangers and their actual gambling habits. To address this issue, universities must take a proactive role in providing education, support, and resources to help students make informed decisions about gambling.

FAQs

How many students are affected by problem gambling in the UK?
Over one in six students who gamble are classified as being at high risk of gambling harm, which is four times higher than the general population.

What is the average amount spent by students on gambling?
Male students spend an average of £33.54 per week on gambling, almost as much as they spend on groceries.

What is the most common form of gambling among students?
Online sports betting is the most popular form of gambling among students, with 25% of male students participating.

How many students gamble to make money?
45% of students say they gamble to make money, with this figure rising to 50% among male students.

Are students influenced by peer pressure to gamble?
Yes, nearly one in three students say they are influenced by their friends to engage in gambling.

What is the awareness of gambling support services among students?
53% of students are aware of the support services available at their university for gambling-related problems.

How many students have invested in cryptocurrency?
21% of students have invested in cryptocurrency in the past 12 months.

What is the link between video games and gambling among students?
66% of students who play video games have made a random chance purchase, which many students believe is a form of gambling.

Do cultural differences play a role in gambling behaviors?
Yes, the survey found that Asian students were more likely to experience problem gambling and have elevated rates of low and moderate-risk gambling.

What are the key recommendations for addressing student gambling harm?
Recommendations include targeted prevention education, incorporating gambling harm prevention into university strategies, educating students about in-game purchases, and conducting further research.