College Students and Gambling
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Transcript of College Students and Gambling
Hira, T. K., December 5, 1996 1
College Students and GamblingTahira K. Hira, Ph.D., CFP
Professor Human Development & Family Studies
Iowa State University
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Gambling in Iowa between 10,000 & 31,000 are
currently “compulsive gamblers,”
33,000 to 62,000 are “problem gamblers.”
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Gambling among College Students
“... it was impossible to visit a campus and not find at least a handful of sophisticated operations run by students ....” (Sports Illustrated AP. 10,1995. PP 68-79)
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Objectives of the study were to determine the:
extent & type of gambling activities common among ISU students
Students’ attitudes, opinions and beliefs about gambling
reasons for gambling need for education and information (type
and sources)
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Sources of DataData were collected in Summer &
Fall ‘96
ISU survey (n = 797)
Des Moines survey (Students =162)
focus groups (n = 10)
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Characteristics Five colleges were represented Males 51% Part-time employed 52% Residence Status:
–Off-campus 46% –Residence halls 38%
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Proportion of college students gambling
over half (52% ) of those participating in the survey
indicated they gambled
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Des Moines survey (n=162)
mean age23yrs mean income $9,103 mean debt $6,416 gamblers 48% females 61% had C.C. loans 32% had consolidated loans 32% used ATMs 44%
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According to 22% of the students...
“Sports gambling at ISU
is widespread!”
What about sports gambling?
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How prevalent is student gambling
According to participants in students focus groups.....
“easily half of the students gamble” “virtually everybody I hang out with seems to
gamble a little bit or follow sports, where we know something is going to happen.”
“a majority of students gamble in some sort. Whether it be on a football game or whatever.”
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Student Involvement in Different Types of Gambling and Average Amount Spent
Type Percentage Average Amt. Maximum
Lottery 30 $5 $50
Sports 20 $31 $250
Poker 23 $32 $500
Video games 19 $18 $250
Casino 22 $68 $750
Horse racing 8 $50 $600
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“I started out maybe a couple of times a week, towards the end I was gambling almost every day.
“I started with playing for small amounts of money ($2 to $5), and it got to the point I had to go to the bank before going to play golf. I had to have more money just in case I lost.”
it starts casually?
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“Tell them it starts as fun, and soon people can’t
quit.”
It starts as fun....
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Its all around.....
gambling is becoming more prevalent
kids grow up in an environment where people in the family gamble....
so you learn about it from the moment you start talking to people.
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Student gambling behavior “I usually take $30-40. But then my
problem is, you've got your cash cards, checks, etc.. I’ve gone through about $300 at one time.”
“I initially played a $10 bill, soon I was spending $40, but by the time winter came around I had $80-100 when I would go.”
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Students say:
“when we first started going we would take $200 in cash, now that they have put ATM’s there....if you lose, you can easily get more money out to play.”
Easy access to cash & credit- the allure of gambling
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Main reason they gamble?
Entertainment67%
To win money29%
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Men and woman gamble for different reasons.
men gamble to win
women gamble for entertainment
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Main Reason for Not Gambling:
Can’t afford 16% Other 26% age, money, time, transportation religion,
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What do their parents think about your gambling?
A majority (70%) said their parents knew about their gambling but...
“They don’t care” 43%
“It’s fine with them” 41%
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Parents’ & Friends’ Involvement in Gambling
N % Mean $ Maximum $
Mother 269 34 $254 $17,500
Father 343 43 $344 $20,000
Best friend 283 36 $310 $5,000
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Extent of problem gambling
those who sought help for serious gambling problems for:
friends (6%)
family members (2%)
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Should there be an age restriction for gambling?
Yes......................77%Age 16-18 48%
Age 19-21 29%
Age 22 and up 24%
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Who should provide help to those facing problems due to gambling?
1-800-BETS-OFF 68%
Student Counseling Service 54%
ISU Financial Counseling Clinic 47%
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Type of Help/Information
pamphlets that can be picked up confidentially
“hot-line/help-line where people can call and talk confidentially...”
“a place to talk about addiction” “financial counseling for those who
don’t want to admit they have gambling addiction”
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Give facts about gambling “probability of winning and losing”
“specific information on how much money is lost and how much is won”
“how fast one can lose money”
“information on how to rig the machine”
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He says it all...
“I would say just make them aware-
that you are going to lose, it’s not even a 50-50 chance of winning..,
be aware of the consequences of it.”
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Include Information about.....
“signs of gambling addiction”
“characteristics of compulsive gamblers” “real life stories about the impact of gambling
losses on people’s lives” “before and after photographs” “testimonials of people who have gotten in
trouble for gambling”
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“In our society what we are doing is
promoting you don’t have to work for
your money.”
Our students say........
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Where to ... from here ...
important to accept that it exists– increasing numbers of students on campuses are
involved in gambling gambling problems have long term effects on
students :– personally and professionally
develop programs– to prevent problem gambling– to help those who are in trouble due to gambling