New survey reveals more than half of higher education students gamble
Almost 50% of students who gambled during the last year did so for financial gain
More than half of students have gambled during the last year, with many doing so to make money, according to a new report from the National Union of Students (NUS) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The NUS surveyed 1,618 higher education students and found that three in five students had gambled over the last 12 months, with 48% doing so to try and make money.
The study revealed that one in eight students will bet more than they can afford to lose and that almost one in 10 students used all or some of their student loan to gamble.
The NUS has since entered into a partnership with Gamban so that the gambling blocking software will be offered to all students for free after many experienced mental health problems while gambling, including feelings of guilt, stress and depression.
NUS welfare VP Eva Crossan Jory said: “We are particularly concerned that around half of students who gamble are doing [so] primarily to make money.
“The student support package has remained stagnant and in recent years has not kept up with the rising costs of living.
“There needs to be a renewed focus on the reasons why some students feel it’s necessary to supplement their income through gambling.
“This not only lands students in even greater debt, but also can lead to feelings of guilt, stress and depression,” she added.