Gambling Abuse and College Students Deputy Commissioner Carrie Slatton-Hodges, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

What is Problem Gambling? Problem gambling is gambling behavior that causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling. This is a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.

Who Becomes a Problem Gambler Anyone who gambles can develop problems if they are not aware of the risks and do not gamble responsibly. When gambling behavior interferes with finances, relationships and the workplace, a serious problem already exists. It is estimated that 2%-3% of the US population will have a gambling problem in any given year. That’s 6 million to 9 million Americans yet only a small fraction seek out services, such as treatment and self-help recovery programs.

Facts about Problem Gamblers Problem gamblers can be of either gender and from any ethnic, social or economic group. An individual who has had a problem with any form of substance abuse is at a higher risk for developing a gambling problem. People with serious mental/emotional disorders (especially depression) have a higher risk for compulsive gambling. Compulsive gamblers wager on any form of legal and/or illegal gambling, including the area of business and the financial markets.

Young People and Gambling Young people, high school and college students, have a higher rate of compulsive gambling than the general adult population. Youth rates of being at-risk for problem gambling are 2 to 3 times higher than adult rates. Young people attending school gamble at a much higher rate than do those who do not attend school (Annenberg Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, 2005).

College Students Nearly all U.S. colleges and universities have policies on student alcohol use, but only 22 % have a formal policy on gambling. Despite the fact that: An estimated 4-8 percent of college students are classified as problem gamblers; and, another 10-14 percent are at risk of developing a gambling problem. About 85 percent of college students have been involved in some form of gambling.

College Students Researchers estimate that 75% of college students gambled during the past year, whether legally or illegally and 23 percent report being involved on a weekly basis. Problem gamblers ages 18-25 lose an average of $30,000 per year and have about $20,000 to $25,000 in credit card debt.

College Students: Who is at Risk? Members of fraternities and sororities are more likely to participate in gambling activities than those students not affiliated with Greek communities. 82% of the students affiliated with fraternities and sororities stated that they participated in gambling, as compared to 80.5% of the non-Greek respondents (LaBrie, Schaffer, LaPlante and Wechsler, 2003).

College Gambling: Who is at Risk? About 29% of college students will bet on sports this year. Athletes are at high risk for sports gambling because of their competitive personalities, need for action and excitement, perception of social norms, and sense of entitlement.

Gambling Among Athletes One out of every 20 male student athletes admitted providing inside information for gambling purposes, betting on a game they participated in, or accepting money for purposely performing poorly in a game. About 28% of athletes have gambled on athletic events. Although athletes and non-athletes gamble about the same frequency, about twice as many athletes are problem gamblers.

Recommendations for Institutions 1. Develop Campus-Community Collaborations Establish a planning group with educators, administrators, counselors, athletic director, students, and other stakeholders. 2. Include Gambling Questions in Student Surveys Add gambling related questions to college health assessments to gauge gambling activities and behaviors, and gather data for how many students are gambling on your campus. Add screening questions for counselors for alcohol and drug assessments 3. Promote Campus-Wide Education on Gambling and Gambling Disorders Hold presentations and workshops in health classes and resident halls or targeted awareness weeks/events. Provide facts, statistics and helpline information through various campus media. Seek training for health educators and counselors, and tie gambling into existing health programs (alcohol,suicide,violence,etc.) .

Recommendations for Institutions 4. Coordinate with Academic Departments to Include Gambling-Related Material in Current Curriculum Add gambling information to Public Health, Community Health, Health and Wellness, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics (odds of winning), and Hotel or Hospitality Management. 5. Include Gambling Information in the Student Health Section of your School’s Website Provide links to problem gambling resources, institutional policies and fact sheets. List risk factors for problem gambling, types of gambling, warning signs and drug and alcohol association. Provide tips on responsible decisions and where to find help for gambling problems.

Recommendations for Institutions 6. Campus Policy Development and Implementation Does your campus have a gambling policy? Consider developing a policy if not, and review NCAA athlete gambling policies to assure compliance. Block Internet access to online gambling sites. 7. Incorporate Gambling Information in Student Orientation Programs Consider university’s policy on underage gambling or gambling on university computers, university-owned computers or networks. Provide information on how to identify problem gambling and the link between gambling disorders and other addictive behavior. Provide awareness to various campus population groups and incorporate gambling information in parent orientation programs. Make use of counseling service professionals. Review institutional conduct codes. Publish policies in staff and student handbooks.

What can we do? Focus on problem gambling as a public health issue. Work to raise public awareness and understanding, and help link individuals to appropriate care. Recovery from problem gambling is very much possible, however, only a small number of those in need of treatment actually seek help in a given year.  There are a number of reasons for this, but the stigma often associated with the disease is a significant barrier for individuals in need of assistance. 

Problem Gambling Helpline There is a 24-Hour, Toll-Free, Problem Gambling Helpline. Call 800-522-7400 for assistance.