UK Survey Highlights Rising Gambling Risks Among Male Students
A recent survey by Gamstop and Ygam reveals concerning gambling habits among UK university students. Many are spending more on gambling than essentials, and as a result, some struggle to afford basic needs.
Gambling Expenditures Surpassing Grocery Costs
The Censuswide study surveyed 2,000 students from 17 UK cities. It found that 10% of male students spend more on gambling each week than on groceries.
Moreover, one in ten reported weekly gambling costs between £51 and £100. This amount exceeds the average grocery spending of £36 from the National Student Money Survey 2024.
Consequently, some students admitted their gambling habits affected their ability to buy food.
High-Risk Gambling Behaviors Identified
This marks the fourth year of research into student gambling. According to the findings, 17% of students are at “high risk” of gambling harm, while nearly half (49%) have gambled in the past year.
Furthermore, online sports betting remains the most common activity. About 25% of male students place bets on 91 days per year, on average. Notably, financial gain was the primary motivation for 45% of student gamblers.
Additionally, the study found that 40% of students believe gambling has negatively affected their university experience. Despite these concerns, only 53% were aware of available support systems at their universities.
Gambling and Gaming Overlap
The research also highlighted strong links between gambling, gaming, and cryptocurrency.
For instance, half of respondents considered loot boxes a form of gambling, and 66% had purchased them. Moreover, 21% of students had invested in cryptocurrency, with male students being twice as likely to do so as females.
Recommendations for Prevention and Support
Given these findings, the report suggests targeted gambling education for young people. It also encourages universities to integrate gambling harm prevention into student wellbeing plans.
Gamstop CEO Fiona Palmer emphasized the need for awareness. She stated:
“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. We know from the university roadshows we run with Ygam that there is an appetite amongst students to learn more about the support available, which includes self-exclusion to take a break from gambling.”
Rise in Self-Exclusion Registrations
Earlier this month, Gamstop reported a 31% year-on-year rise in self-exclusion registrations among people under 25.
This increase suggests that more young people are becoming aware of responsible gambling tools and actively seeking support.
