The continuous examination of gambling practices among university students in the UK has been encapsulated in the latest publication—the third of its series since 2022. The research, diligently conducted by Censuswide, represents the joint efforts of YGAM and Gamstop to unravel the complexities surrounding this issue. Engaging with 2,000 university students, the study reveals a concerning narrative: 60% of them acknowledged that they had dabbled in the world of gambling within the past 12 months, pointing to a slight reduction from the 71% reported the previous year.
Although there appears to be a diminution in this percentage, it belies a troubling situation: 46% of the student respondents admitted that their gambling propensities had influenced their university lives adversely, manifesting in missed academic deadlines, neglected social activities, and intensified financial burdens. These are not mere inconveniences but significant encumbrances that affect their sustenance, covering essential expenses like food.
The financial impact can be numerically measured: student gamblers reported an average loss of £35.25 weekly, culminating in £1,833 over a year. A subsection of this demographic, approximately 15%, find themselves in a more alarming scenario, losing upwards of £50 per week. The study unpacks further startling insights: 32% of student gamblers are wagering from their savings, 23% from their student loans, and notably, 10% are betting with money sourced from their parents, and 8% are tapping into their overdrafts.
In terms of preferences, male students predominantly engage in online sports betting, whereas female students lean towards the National Lottery. When queried about the impetus behind their gambling, 34% indicated that peer influence was the chief factor. Also playing significant roles are sports events and social media, influencing 26% and 23% of students’ gambling behaviors, respectively. This underscores the imperative identified by both YGAM and Gamstop, which is the need to inculcate safer gambling habits among the youth through education.
The research illuminates further the personal toll on university students, capturing the sentiments of being socially censured for gambling by four out of 10 bettors and the guilt experienced by more than half of them about their behavior.
Cryptocurrency investments have seen a wane in interest, with 32% of students backing them, which is a downturn from 40% the previous year. The report suggests that the prevailing cost of living crisis is exacerbating financial pressures for students, hence the urgency in addressing gambling participation and prevalence rates. Jane Rigbye, CEO of YGAM, remarks, “Despite the notable decrease in gambling participation rates among students over the past three years, problem gambling prevalence rates remain stable, significantly higher than those in the general population.”
Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop, notes the rise in young registrations for self-exclusion, signifying the gravity of gambling risks among younger demographics. The response by the Gambling Minister, Stuart Andrew, is equally vital. He acknowledges the increased susceptibility of young adults to gambling-related harm and highlights recent governmental interventions, such as wager limits for online slots.
In response to the study findings, Kellie McAlonan, chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers, stresses the impact of gambling on students, urging that student money advisers be equipped with appropriate education to support students and contribute to preventative measures against gambling harms.
This illustrious and multifaceted report underlines a collective revelation: gambling among university students in the UK is both a present challenge and a future risk, necessitating proactive educational strategies and robust safeguards to ensure the well-being and security of the young adult population.
