University Research in the UK Uncovers 17% of Students Using Educational Loans for Gambling Purposes
Rewritten Article:
Gambling among university students in the UK, as analyzed by GamStop and Ygam, has revealed a concerning trend. Over 2,000 students were surveyed, and around half of them admitted to gambling at least once in the past year—an equivalent percentage to those who consumed alcohol.
Interestingly, around 10% of these students indicated that they resorted to gambling as a means to boost their income. However, the study also exposed that nearly 40% of students felt that their gambling habits impeded their academic success in some way.
Researchers have identified that about 250,000 students meet the criteria for problem gamblers, and an additional 400,000 are at risk. This suggests that the issue is widespread and warrants urgent attention.
Many of these students put as much money into gambling as they do on food each week. Approximately 10% of these gamblers spend anywhere between £50 to £100 per week on their betting habits.
A troubling finding from the research shows that about 17% of students have funded their gambling using student loans, making them four times more likely to develop problem gambling compared to the general public.
In light of these findings, GamStop Chief Executive Fiona Palmer is advocating for more targeted education for students, focusing on the dire consequences of gambling, particularly to those who view it as a path to making easy money.
With no specific UK university-focused research or policies revealed in our findings, best practices can be applied by universities to address this issue. Some of the common strategies include:
- Regular awareness and educational campaigns, providing clear information about the risks and potential harm of gambling.
- Equipping university staff and peer mentors with knowledge to detect early signs of problem gambling and direct affected individuals to support services.
- Implementing self-exclusion tools like GamStop, allowing individuals to voluntarily block access to all UK-licensed gambling sites.
- Screening tools in student services to identify at-risk students promptly and facilitate quick referral to counseling or specialist support.
- Providing counseling services and peer-led support groups for students dealing with gambling addiction.
- Developing and enforcing campus policies that regulate gambling advertising and events.
- Encouraging open discussions about gambling harms and reducing the stigma surrounding seeking help.
- Collaboration with organizations such as GambleAware, GamStop, and the National Gambling Helpline to provide training, resources, and support tailored to the student population.
"- Despite the prevalence of gambling among university students in the UK, it's evident that education-and-self-development should be prioritized over casino-and-gambling. The concerning trend revealed in a study by GamStop and Ygam shows that about 40% of students feel their gambling habits negatively impact their academic success, while only 10% resort to gambling as a revenue source."
"- Given the findings, such as students spending as much on gambling as they do on food each week and the increased likelihood of developing problem gambling when using student loans for gambling, universities could benefit from implementing strategies like regular educational campaigns, self-exclusion tools, screening tools, counseling services, and campus policies to minimize the impact of casino-and-gambling trends on education-and-self-development."
