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GamStop has raised concerns about the increasing rate of problem gambling and addiction among British students.
The warning follows the publication of the Fourth Annual Student Gambling Survey, co-commissioned by GamStop and its partner, YGAM.
Conducted by Censuswide, the survey is the most comprehensive of its kind, involving 2,000 students from universities across 17 UK cities, with 49% reporting they had gambled at least once in the past 12 months.
Findings indicate that more than one in six students who gamble fall into the problem gambling category, a significantly higher rate than the general population. Research highlights that 17% of students surveyed were classified as high-risk gamblers under the UK gambling Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), with a further 29% placed in the moderate-risk category.
Concerns are elevated as research highlights the financial vulnerabilities of gambling on UK students’ lifestyles, in particular of young males.
As detailed: “Men’s mean spend on gambling is £33.54 per week – this compares to £36 per week on groceries, according to the most recent National Student Money Survey (2024). Almost one in ten of all student gamblers spend between £51-£100 per week on gambling – significantly more than their average weekly food shop.”
Financial vulnerabilities see 17% of participants surveyed using their student loan to fund gambling as nearly one in two students (45%) say they gamble ‘to make money’, rising to 50% amongst males.
Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at GAMSTOP, underscored the urgency of these findings, stating: “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. 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.”
The survey further revealed disparities in awareness and accessibility of gambling support services. While 53% of students are aware of the support available at their university, only 59% of those who gamble feel confident about accessing these services.
Additional findings indicate that 21% of students have invested in cryptocurrency in the past 12 months, with male students being twice as likely to engage in such investments compared to their female peers. Moreover, PGSI data revealed that 23% of Asian student gamblers experience problem gambling, with low and moderate-risk gambling rates elevated at 20% and 36% respectively.
In response to these findings, GamStop and YGAM are calling on universities to take immediate action. They are urging institutions to implement targeted prevention education initiatives that consider cultural differences and better support students from diverse backgrounds.
Universities are also being encouraged to integrate gambling harm prevention into student wellbeing strategies, improve staff training, and enhance the communication of available support services.
Additionally, it calls for further research into student gambling behaviour, particularly the gap between students’ motivation to gamble for financial gain and the reality of their financial losses.
To address these concerns, YGAM has partnered with NUS Charity to launch a new university campaign aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging students to recognise gambling harm among their peers. The “Silence the Stigma“ campaign will launch at Queen Mary University of London on 6 March, aiming to foster open discussions about gambling-related harm and encourage students to seek support.
Dr Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer at YGAM, reinforced the importance of these initiatives, stating: “YGAM is now working with universities in every region of the UK, and while we welcome the decrease in the number of students experiencing gambling-related harms, 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. It is important to recognise trends and understand the factors influencing these behaviours, including economic and social pressures. 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.”
