Gambling and College

In the past decade, the Connecticut gambling scene has significantly changed. An activity that once had negative connotations has become a mainstream and commonplace activity. There are many factors contributing to the more widespread acceptance of gambling: loss of social stigma; changes in legislation; unprecedented gambling expansion, including the Internet; glamorous advertising; and intense media coverage. If you live in Connecticut, you are exposed to a variety of gambling activity. In fact, for many young adults living in Connecticut, or attending school here, the traditional rite of passage of going to a bar when turning 21 is being replaced with going to a casino, involving both gambling and drinking.

At some point, every college student will have to make choices about gambling. As gambling venues and access expand, the risk of developing a gambling problem increases. If you gamble, a problem could develop now or in the future. If gambling gets out of control, it can affect your life, your education and your future opportunities.

Did you know…

	A minimum of 1 in 9 students at 4 Connecticut State Universities (CSU’s) had a gambling problem that was significantly connected to substance abuse and food-related issues
	The level of gambling problems [among students surveyed at the 4 CSU’s] was (11.4%) more than double the rate found for the general population (5.4%). The majority of other national studies find college rates are also at least twice the rate of adults
	Gambling often occurs associated with psychiatric problems such as substance abuse/dependence
	Gamblers who start gambling at an early age have heavier patterns of gambling than do adult-onset gamblers.
	A history of parental gambling is a prominent risk factor for development of a gambling problem. The relative risk of problem gambling is about 3-5 times greater when there is family history of problem gambling (Winters et al, 1998)
	Being a college-aged student in and of itself is considered a significant risk factor for experiencing gambling-related problems.

Consequences:

	Students who have gambling problems are preoccupied with gambling, often experiencing stress and distress, as well as anxiety or depression. - The gambling distracts students from their daily responsibilities - Students may begin missing classes, or other activities, such as work or sports, as they try to recover their losses - In the end, problem gambling can result in losses, such as book money, cars, scholarships and even tuition money.
	Student athletes risk being dropped from sports teams as a result of absences or breaking rules and policies.
	If serious consequences arise due to their gambling behavior, students eventually must face their friends, professors, their parents, and potentially the legal system.

Warning Signs
If you can identify one or more of the following warning signs in yourself or someone you care about, it may signal a gambling problem:

	Lying to friends and family about gambling
	Borrowing money frequently to gamble
	Neglecting responsibilities (going to classes, school work, job) due to preoccupation with gambling
	Frequent mood swings: highs when winning, lows when losing
	Students who have gambling problems are preoccupied with gambling, often experiencing stress and distress, as well as anxiety or depression.
	Experiencing conflicts in relationships with friends, family or employer due to gambling
	Items are missing from your dorm or home, e.g., CD’s, clothing, money
	Using tuition or scholarship money or savings to gamble
	Making unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop
	Not accepting losses and “chasing” after lost money by further gambling.

Student Athletes and Gambling:
For many people who bet on sports, they choose to place wagers or bets as a means to increase the fun and excitement of watching the games.

Studies show that male and female college-athletes have higher rates of problem gambling than male and female non-athletes. Overall, their risk factors are the same. The characteristics that give athletes a competitive, winning edge may also contribute to their willingness to take more risks than other students, risks such as placing bets on sporting and other events and activities.

Many campuses already have policies on student gambling. For student athletes, the NCAA Bylaw 10.3 (known as “The Rule”) strictly forbids gambling on organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate or professional sports. Yet, illegal sports gambling, student bookies and underground rings of illegal bookmaking exist on nearly every campus in the United States, and often times involve organized crime. “The Rule” is clear. However, what it does not spell out is how to prevent gambling problems, and where to go for help or treatment if you or someone you know has an existing gambling problem or develops one, inside or outside of the area of sports.

Take Action
If you suspect you or someone you care about may have a gambling problem, please contact the CT Council on Problem Gambling’s toll-free, 24-hour Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-346-6238.