Higher education needs to recognise gambling harm as a student wellbeing issue

Starting university is often a time of freedom, new friends, and new experiences. It’s also the first time many young people make their own financial decisions and have to make money last until the next student loan instalment.

For some students, gambling becomes part of the early social experience. It might start as a football accumulator with friends or a few spins on the machine at the pub. But when money is tight, the temptation to win back what has been lost, or to make a little extra cash, can easily take hold.

Financial advice should not just be about helping students budget. It should also be a moment for universities to recognise gambling harm as a student wellbeing issue.

No such thing as a typical gambler

When we think about gambling harm, we might picture someone spending large amounts of money every day in a betting shop or a casino. But in reality, gambling can negatively affect anyone, including students. The latest Annual student gambling survey, published by Ygam and Gamstop in March, found that 65 per cent of university students had gambled in the past 12 months.

Gambling harm is not only about how often someone gambles or how much they spend. It’s about the impact on their studies, finances, and wellbeing. Loss chasing is one of the key signs that a student might be beginning to experience harm.

Research from YouGov commissioned by GamCare this year, looked at loss chasing, or trying to win back money already lost. It found that 30 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds who had gambled in the past year said they had chased their losses. That compares with 23 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds, and just 12 per cent of those aged 45 to 54.

Other red flags may include:

• spending money meant for rent, food, travel, or other essentials on gambling
• borrowing money, using an overdraft, or taking out credit to gamble
• hiding gambling or feeling ashamed about how much time or money is going on it
• finding it hard to concentrate on studies because of gambling or worry about losses
• missing lectures, social activities, or other commitments because of gambling

Money matters

For students, the timing of money coming in can make financial pressures particularly difficult.

Student loans are usually paid in instalments.A large sum may arrive at the start of term and need to last for weeks or months. It can be tempting to see gambling as a way to stretch that money further, particularly when faced with unexpected costs or the pressure to keep up with friends.

Advisers on GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline also hear from international students who are navigating financial independence, unfamiliar systems, and distance from their usual support networks. Some have lost money through gambling and been left struggling to cover essentials. In a few cases, that included their course fees.

Help is available before gambling harm escalates

At GamCare, we want people to know that they don’t need to wait until they have lost a large amount of money, dropped out of university, or reached a crisis point before asking for support.

Higher education professionals and student money advisers don’t need to be gambling harm experts. If they think someone they’re in contact with may be experiencing harm, they can refer them to free expert support.

GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential advice to anyone affected by gambling harm, including friends and family. Students can call the helpline on 0808 8020 133, use the live chat service, or visit the GamCare website to find out more.

Our trained advisers can help students understand what is happening, explore practical ways to reduce harm, and refer them into further support where needed.

It’s a student wellbeing issue

Universities already provide practical help with student finance, debt, mental health, and wellbeing. Gambling should be part of these conversations too.

Practical steps could include training student money advisers, adding gambling support information to Freshers’ Week money guidance and student finance webpages, raising gambling in hardship fund conversations, and building referral routes to free, confidential support.

Starting university should be about discovering new opportunities, not feeling trapped by financial pressure or gambling losses. Gambling harm should not be treated as a niche issue or left until a student is in crisis.

If universities and students’ unions want to support students’ financial wellbeing, they need to make gambling part of the financial wellness conversation.

If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline is available on 0808 8020 133, or visit the GamCare website for more information.