The links between gambling and mental health
Gambling can be both a cause or a consequence of poor mental health, and gambling harms can significantly impact an individual’s wellbeing. Find out about the links and the signs to look out for.
Friends and peers can play a significant role during your time at university. They help you to grow as a person, to learn, and most importantly, to have fun. Your friends are your community and some of them will be in your life for a long time.
But friends also have a duty of care for one another, and campus communities can play a significant role in both identifying and safeguarding students from gambling harms. However, starting a conversation with someone about a stigmatising subject like gambling can be difficult.
The ‘Silence the Stigma’ campaign, in partnership with NUS Charity, has been introduced to help encourage campus conversations about gambling harms between friends and peers.
Becoming more informed and having open conversations about the topic means that you can play a significant role in safeguarding your campus communities against gambling harms.
Download our 'Spot the Signs' resource
Signs of gambling harms
It can sometimes be hard to know if someone is experiencing gambling harms. Here are a few signs that you can stay vigilant to:
Suddenly socially withdrawn?
There may be an abrupt shift towards isolation or avoidance of social interactions, often without prior warning or explanation.
Unexplained debt or asking for money?
They may have difficulty budgeting, no money for essentials, or taking out loans.
Preoccupied from study or skipping lectures to gamble?
Their attendance may have become poor, they appear unfocused or seem to be tired during lectures.
Lack of self-care or decline in mental and physical health?
They have stopped taking care of themselves, neglecting their wellbeing, possibly showing signs of depression.
Download our 'Get Talking' resource
The power of conversation
For people who experience gambling harms, stigma can be a significant challenge.
It’s a barrier to self-identifying, a barrier to support seeking, and can drive harm, not just affect it.
The stigma around gambling harms is pervasive but can be reduced with respectful and non-judgemental language.
If you are concerned about someone’s gambling, and you feel comfortable to speak to them, then there are some meaningful and effective ways to do so.
Student Gambling Survey 2025
This year’s Student Gambling Survey is the fourth instalment of this research, jointly commissioned by Ygam and GAMSTOP. Conducted by Censuswide, the survey polled 2,000 students from across the UK, and incorporates the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to measure at-risk gambling behaviour.
40 %
of student gamblers say gambling affects their university experience.
£ 27
per week is the mean gambling spend of students.
32 %
of student gamblers state peers as the primary influence.
What do we mean by gambling and gambling harm?
Gambling is the act of betting, gaming, or participating in a lottery for money or with something at stake.
The term ‘gambling harm’ involves gambling to a degree that compromises, disrupts, or damages loved ones, personal wellbeing or relationships, and recreational pursuits.
Gambling-related harms are the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society.
Need further support?
Ygam is a harm prevention charity that aims to safeguard children and young people against gaming and gambling harms through awareness raising, education and research.
We do not provide direct treatment or support to those experiencing gaming and gambling harms.
However, if you’re worried about someone who maybe experiencing gambling harms, and want to speak to a trained advisor, you can contact the National Gambling Helpline.
You can contact the National Gambling Helpline via
0808 8020 133
Phone
+44 20 3031 8881
Whatsapp
www.gamcare.org.uk/talk/
Web chat
Find help
Our directory of services include financial guidance, mental health support, self-exclusion tools, and gaming disorder services.
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This campaign offers much needed resources and we believe these valuable conversations will lead to more students seeking support. It is vital that our member students’ unions are aware of the campaign and ready to offer much needed guidance to those who need it.
Charlotte Britton-Stevens, Acting Head of Union Development, NUS Charity.
Download our FREE Participation Pack today!
If you work at a university and would like to see 'Silence the Stigma' on your campus, get in touch with us today to receive a participation pack.
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