Why 10% of College Students Have a Gambling Disorder
Published: November 18, 2024
The rates of gambling disorders are rising across many demographics, including college-age students (those ages 18 to 24). The NCAA found that over 60 percent of college-age students bet on sports, with 4 percent doing so daily. And 10 percent have a gambling disorder.
As a result, the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) has started a new national college responsible gambling education campaign, which will provide responsible gambling and financial literacy education to students throughout the U.S. Learn more about the program here.
“Our aim is to provide much-needed information and resources about responsible gaming concepts, raise awareness of the consequences associated with problem gambling and available support services, and teach general financial literacy skills that will help students build and maintain good financial habits whether they choose to engage in gaming or not,” said ROGA’s Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Shatley.
Why is this demographic experiencing such an increase in gambling disorders? As with many mental health conditions, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. However, prevention specialists have identified a few contributing factors.
Many college students living on campus are away from home for the first time in their lives and are experiencing newfound independence. Combine that with party culture, stress from their studies, and peer pressure, and many college students end up participating in risky behaviors like underage drinking, drug use, and betting.
Another significant factor is the popularization of sports betting on college campuses. Since sports betting was legalized in Ohio in 2023, young adults’ participation level has escalated. 41% of college student bettors wager on their school’s sports teams, and that doesn’t include other colleges or professional leagues. There are also plenty of other avenues for college students to bet, like fantasy sports or online gaming.
Watch this quick video to see how a solid warmup routine can help of-age college students sports bet responsibly if choosing to do so:
Regardless of the reason why someone might be experiencing gambling-related harms, Pause Before You Play can help. There’s a wealth of information and resources for college students to learn about the issue, create a responsible betting plan if they’re of legal age, and gauge their risk level for a gambling disorder with the quick Rate Your Risk quiz. There’s even a college student toolkit with digital and print resources designed specifically for the college community.
If you or a college student you know needs help, you can always call the free and confidential Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline. Trained and understanding specialists are available 24/7 to take your call, with no strings attached. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741. Ohio also now offers virtual telehealth services at no cost through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network.