Fact Sheet- Gambling Disorder among College Students

This fact sheet has been made available by CollegeGambling.org through a review of 24 research articles.

Quantitative

6% of college students in the US have a serious gambling problem (that can result in psychological difficulties, unmanageable debt, and failing grades).

Qualitative

Gambling disorder is associated with numerous negative consequences, and is highly correlated with other risky behaviors in the college student population.

Neuroscience

Scientists have learned that the adolescent brain is still growing, which accounts for the frequently impulsive behavior, and otherwise decisions of teenagers.

Research has shown that teenagers and college aged young adult impulsivity places them at higher risk for developing gambling disorders than adults.

Most adult with a gambling problem, started gambling at an early age. 

Co-Occurring Disorders

Compared to students without gambling problems, students with gambling problems are more likely to use tobacco, drink, heavily or binge drink, smoke, marijuana, or use other illegal drugs, drive under the influence, and have a lower GPA.

Gender

Male college students are more likely to have gambled in the past year, gambled with more money, and reported having gambling problems.

Availability

Gambling opportunities have proliferated nationwide during the past 30 years (with the expansion of lottery, casinos, and Internet gambling). 

Today’s college students are exposed to not only drinking and drug use, but also gambling.

Conclusion 

While the most recent research estimate that 6% of college students have a gambling problem, college students appear to mature out of these problems, as they do with alcohol and drug use, after college. This is evidenced by the fact that only one percent of the adult population has a gambling disorder in the US.