The UK’s non-profit mass self-exclusion service GamStop has published the results of research it conducted alongside Ygam into the gambling habits of university students. It surveyed more than 2,000 people and discovered that betting often plays a major role in their lives.
About 50% of students gambled at least once over the previous 12 months, the same percentage as people who drank alcohol. A few people said they were trying to boost their income with betting, while 40% felt betting hurt their time in school.
about 250,000 students are categorized as problem gamblers
Researchers found that about 250,000 students are categorized as problem gamblers, which means their wagering impacts their relationships, mental health, physical health, or finances. Another 400,000 are at risk of falling into this category.
Most committed as much toward their wagering as on food each week, with about 10% of the gamblers spending between £50 ($63.50) and £100 ($127) weekly.
The study found that 17% of bettors have financed their sessions with student loans; these individuals are four times more likely to develop a problem than the general population.
GamStop Chief Executive Fiona Palmer is calling for more targeted education for students to highlight the dangerous consequences of gambling, especially toward people who believe it is a viable way of making money.