What is gambling?

Gambling is the act of placing money, or something of value, on a random event with the intent of winning more money, or something of greater value.  

There are many forms of gambling, and you may not be aware that some activities are forms of gambling. Examples of activities that are gambling including sports betting, bingo, casinos, lotteries, private bets, gaming/gaming machines, esports betting, scratch cards to name a few.

There are also some blurred lines when it comes to gambling, such as online games, video games, and mobile games that offer ‘loot boxes’, extra lives, or other forms of game currency. These purchases have the potential to be harmful, and can lead to spending money outside of our financial means.  

In 2019, YGAM commissioned Red Brick Research to undertake research into gaming and gambling among undergraduate students. The survey identified that 47% of students have gambled in the last 12 months. The survey indicated that an estimated 16% of UK students can be identified as moderate risk or problem gamblers.

It can be tempting to gamble as a student as it can seem a quick way to improve your financial situation. However, it’s important to remember that gambling is a high risk behaviour and can result in your financial situation being worsened, especially if you gamble more than you can afford.  

Understanding what can influence us to gamble

There are lots of different reasons why people gamble, and everyone’s motivations for doing so will be slightly different.  

By understanding what draws us towards gambling behaviours, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves, and help us to prevent being drawn into gambling situations that can drain both our financial and emotional wellbeing.  

Examples of some of the influences on gambling:  

• Friends – it can be more tempting to gamble, if our friends are doing it. Gambling may be part of a social activity, such as a poker night, or maybe there is a sense of peer pressure or wanting to fit in that makes us want to gamble alongside others.  
• Family – it may be a case that we have family members who gamble, and certain gambling behaviours have become more commonplace in our lives without us realising. For instance, it’s often the case on somebody’s 18th birthday you buy them a lottery ticket as a gift, as this is the legal age in the UK that you can play the lottery.  
• Incentives – many online betting sites can offer free spins or free money to the first time you visit the site. However, these deals often come with T&Cs, and are designed to get you spending your own money. 
• VIP schemes – VIP schemes are a form of loyalty based scheme where regular users of a gambling website or service are rewarded, and encouraged to spend more money through special offers.  
• Advertising – gambling advertisements are common in our daily lives, on television, social media, and as sponsors for things like sports teams.  

Spotting the signs and accessing support 

Recognising the signs of harm associated with gambling is important, and can often be the first step in reaching out for support.  

The signs of harm:

You may notice changes in yourself or others who are engaging in gambling-behaviours: 

• Preoccupation with gambling 
• Missing lectures/ missing course work deadline 
• Withdrawal from social/friendship 
• Secrecy 
• Changes in mood/behaviour 
• Gambling until you have nothing left 
• Chasing losses 
• Borrowing money 
• Unexplained debt/ new or extra money/possessions 
• Feeling anxious and worried 

Gambling can have negative impacts on our mental health and wellbeing. It can become another financial pressure, and it can be a problem that feels outside of our control. There can also be a stigma attached to gambling behaviours, that can prevent us from reaching out for support. However, we encourage you to talk to someone if you’re struggling with gambling.  

The University of Reading ‘s Student Financial Support Team and Wellbeing Teams are here to provide a safe, non-judgemental space for you to talk. The Student Financial Support Team will also be able to signpost you towards the external support and resources that are available to you. 

If you're involved or struggling with gaming, esports and betting, head to Blackbullion to find out where you can get help and more.