UK Study: 17% of college bettors use student loans as funds
Published:
Mar 7, 2025
,
11:32 a.m.
ET
Key Points
Gambling addiction is a global issue, including in the mature UK market
College students are at a high risk of developing problematic gambling habits
Most bettors gamble to make a profit as their primary motivator
More research needs to be done on the impact of sports betting in college students
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The United Kingdom is no stranger to the appeal and rush of betting that has also taken over the United States. Sports gambling became legal in the UK in 1960, but the real societal impact, specifically on those of younger demographics, came to light in 2005 when regulations that enabled greater access to mobile gambling were put into place.
A study published in The Times researched the betting habits of over 2,000 college students across 17 universities in the UK, uncovering troubling statistics into how students are funding their bets and the negative impact gambling has on their daily lives.
Betting among college-aged individuals is becoming much more prevalent in the United States, with no signs of slowing down. While there is some data showing the impact of betting on students, more in-depth research is necessary in America to scale the true impact of gambling and sports betting in college aged individuals. In the meantime, looking at a more mature market like the UK can be incredibly beneficial.
Key findings and takeaways from UK gambling study
Betting habits
Students indicated that they spent just as much money on gambling as they do on weekly groceries, with 10% of students also cut back spending on food in favor of betting. The survey revealed that gambling also negatively affected students’ personal lives, finances, mental wellbeing and physical health, plus their overall college experience. While sports betting was the most common form of gambling in college students, online casinos came in second, along with 20% of students also “betting” on cryptocurrency.
Motivations for betting and how they started
When asked about why and how they got into sports betting, the majority of students surveyed stated they were trying to supplement their income, despite most of them actually losing money due to betting. Other motivating factors that led students to gamble were peer pressure, social media or sporting events.
Prevalence of Problem Gambling
The study estimates that almost 250,000 UK students struggle with gambling, and that young men are particularly at risk of developing a gambling addiction. That number could reach almost 400,000 with additional students displaying at-risk habits that could lead to problematic gambling.
A concerning finding was that 17% of college bettors use their student loan allocations to fund their betting habits, with 1 in 10 students spending 50 to 100 Euros per week and 1 in 20 students spending up to 500 Euros per week on betting.
How the UK betting compares to the United States
According to NerdWallet, the rate of sports betting in the United States has increased 8% since 2023 with sports bettors spending almost double what other types of gamblers did in the same timeframe. While in the UK, making a profit was one of many reasons for why students gambled, in the United States 65% of those who participate in gambling stated their main reasons for gambling was financial gains through winning.
Know where to turn for help: Gambling addiction support
Although the risks of gambling are serious and becoming better known, many college students, specifically college athletes, indicated they wouldn’t know where to get help for gambling related issues. The NCAA released a study and found that only 10%-12% of students overall reported knowing where to find help for a gambling problem on campus.
There are multiple places students and others suffering from gambling addiction can turn to for help. Traditional methods such as individual therapy, self-help groups and national hotlines can be beneficial for many who suffer from problems related to gambling.
Virtual counseling is a great option for those who may not have access to the specialized treatment needed for gambling addiction in their immediate area. Birches Health provides treatment with gambling addiction specialists from the comfort of one's own home. If you or a loved one is struggling with gambling addiction, Birches is here to help.
There are different options for getting started with Birches Health:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
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