Censuswide: 71% of UK students gambled in 2022

A new Censuswide survey commissioned by GAMSTOP and Ygam has revealed worrying trends about the level of participation in gambling by students in the United Kingdom. The survey interviewed 2,000 students and used The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to establish the likelihood of students engaging in gambling in unhealthy and dangerous ways.

The survey also wanted to gauge other important metrics such as the level of participation in gambling activities by students in the country as well as how many of them were experiencing harm related to problem gambling. The numbers are anything but assuring.

According to the survey, 71% of all respondents had gambled in the past 12 months as of December 2022. This means that the overwhelming majority of students have been involved with various aspects of gambling. The breakdown focused on some of the more worrying trends as well.

For example, 28% of all gamblers were categorized as "moderate risk," but 24% of participants already showed signs that could place them in the category of "problem gambling." The results were commented on by Dr Jane Rigbye who said that the findings were important as they showed attitudes and behaviors in students and how gambling has impacted them.

Dr Rigbye emphasized that there was a substantial number of student gamblers, many of whom may be experiencing harm related to the activity. She called for better education of young people about the risks associated with gambling.

"We’re working with our partners to tour university campuses across the UK to speak to students, deliver specialist training to university staff and to raise awareness," Dr Rigbye noted and said that universities should similarly do their part in protecting students from harm.

According to the survey, half of the UK student population is experiencing some form of issue tied to their gambling behavior

• 10% have missed lectures or tutorials
• 13% are struggling with their food bills
• 9% have been finding it harder to pay accommodation bills

A worrying trend was also registered in the fact that at least 48% of all respondents were gambling in the hopes of making money. Only 11% of all respondents said that they were winning money in an average week, however. The size of the bets was also varying, as follows:

• 33% wagered £11-£20 weekly
• 23% wagered £21-£50 weekly
• 13% wagered £51-£100 weekly

The survey also registered that 4.5% of all students who gambled did so because they were unable to stop. According to the Censuswide poll, 8% of students borrowed money from family and friends and 6% would dip into payday loans to sustain their habit.

Ygam and GAMSTOP have also turned to people who have been through this already. Bray Ash, a former gambling addict, who is now a Mental Health nurse said that the research may come as a surprise to many, but to him personally, it’s a reminder of the fact that students are too exposed to gambling products and gambling addiction.

"At the time when I was first going through university, resources like GAMSTOP weren’t around," Ash said. This has changed so students can now seek professional help. Yet, more needs to be done, the survey concludes.

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