Problem Gambling Resources
Problem Gambling Services
College students have substantially higher rates of gambling problems than the rest of the adult population.
What is gambling?
Gambling is when a person risks something of value on an activity or event in which:
- The outcome is uncertain
- The risk or bet is fixed (irreversible)
- The risk could result in winning, or losing, something of value in return
Common forms of gambling include:
- Daily fantasy sports
- Internet casino games
- Sports betting
- Animal racing/ fighting
- Cards or dice games
- Other casino games
- Lottery – scratch off, powerball, numbers, etc.
- Games of skill (darts, billiards, etc.)
- Stocks/ day trading
- Bingo/ raffles
Warning signs of a possible gambling problem:
- Prioritizes gambling over other activities
- Progressive preoccupation with gambling
- Experiences a rush from gambling, especially when winning
- Gambles to escape worry or problems
- Feels need to increase betting amounts
- Feels compelled to chase losses
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop gambling
- Lies about engaging in gambling behavior
- Exaggerated display of money and/or material possessions
- Unexplained debt
- Feast or famine cash flow
- Frequent unexplained absences from classes
- Sudden drop in grades
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Visible changes in behavior
- Decline in health, increased symptoms of depression
- Suicidal ideations or attempts
Students who gambled in the past year had higher rates of:
- Binge drinking
- Marijuana use
- Cigarette use
- Illicit drug use
- Unsafe sex after drinking
If you choose to gamble, here are some tips for gambling more safely and responsibly:
- Set your limit before you start gambling. Any money spent on gambling should be considered the cost of entertainment – only use money that you can afford to lose.
- Avoid gambling when feeling lonely, depressed, angry, stressed, when coping with loss, or as a way to impress others.
- Avoid gambling in conjunction with excessive alcohol or drug use
- Avoid borrowing money to gamble – it is always a high-risk decision
- Only gamble when it is legal to do so
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