Almost half of students gamble, survey finds

Almost half of students gamble to try to make money, a survey has found. It has called for better education and targeted support.

The annual Student Gambling Survey questioned 2,000 students from universities across the UK. Of those who gambled, 17 per cent said they used their student loan to finance the habit, and the majority have lost money, rather than gained.

The Labour Government has identified gambling harm as a concern, and the Party committed to the reform of gambling regulation in its manifesto.

‘Particularly vulnerable’

The research found that a quarter of a million students (17 per cent of students who gamble) were identified as problem gamblers, defined as “gambling with negative consequences and a possible loss of control”.

The survey noted the strong financial incentive of gambling for students, and found that among those who gambled: “While 58% stated that gambling had not affected their university experience, 10% struggled to afford food, 7% faced difficulties paying for accommodation or bills, and 6% sought hardship loans as a result.”

The survey concluded: “university students are a group particularly vulnerable to gambling harms”.

‘Guide and educate’

Dr Jane Rigbye, CEO of Ygam, which commissioned the survey alongside GAMSTOP, commented: “students remain a cohort that engages in gambling in significant numbers. This makes our collaboration with universities essential to ensuring they have the tools to effectively support and safeguard students.”

She added: “With much of student life now digital and online, we must continue to guide and educate to increase understanding and build resilience against the potential harms of gambling.”

GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer said: “The Student Gambling Survey is an important piece of research that confirms the need for targeted support for the student community.”

“Although gambling has decreased slightly in universities, the risk of gambling harm is far higher than in the general population and students need to be educated about the consequences of gambling in the expectation of making money.”