Annual Student Gambling Survey 2025 findings published

Students who gamble are four times more likely to experience gambling harms compared to the general population, the latest Annual Student Gambling Survey has revealed.

The fourth Annual Student Gambling Survey, commissioned by Ygam and GAMSTOP, found that 17% were designated at high risk and 29% at moderate risk of gambling harm, using Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) in it’s short form. Male students are more likely than females to be in the problem gambling category and their mean spend on gambling is almost 1.7 times higher. 23% of Asian student gamblers were found to experience ‘problem gambling’ according to the short-form PGSI, while low and moderate risk gambling were also elevated at 20% and 36% respectively. 

Male students who gamble are spending almost as much on their gambling as on the weekly food shop. Spend was defined as the overall amount a student staked and lost, subtracting any wins. Men’s mean spend on gambling is £33.54 per week – this compares to £36 per week on groceries, according to the most recent National Student Money Survey (2024). Almost one in ten of all student gamblers spend between £51-£100 per week on gambling – significantly more than their average weekly food shop.  

One in four male students (25%) take part in online sports betting, the most popular form of gambling amongst students, and male students bet on online sports an average 91 days of the year – that equates to every other working day in an average university term.  

Neary one in two students (45%) say they gamble ‘to make money’, rising to 50% amongst male students. However, the reality is different – whilst one in five claim to make money from gambling, a much higher proportion (40%) say it has affected1 their university experience and one in ten have struggled to afford food. And 17% are using their student loan to fund gambling. 

Peer pressure appears to be a driving force for gambling – nearly one in three students who gamble say they are influenced by friends, whilst one in four cite social media. Almost one in ten are influenced by university societies – almost as significant a factor as advertising, cited by 13%.  

However, more than one in two students (53%) say they are aware of support available at their university for problems with their gambling and 59% of students who gamble say they would be confident about accessing support. 

22% of students who disclosed whether they do or don’t gamble have invested in cryptocurrency during the last 12 months. Males were more than twice as likely to have invested in cryptocurrency than females. 

66% of students who play video games had paid for a random chance purchase in the past – one in two agreed that random chance purchases were gambling, but one in five disagreed, highlighting a need for more education about the risks of gambling-like features in video games.  

Dr Jane Rigbye, Chief Executive Officer at Ygam, said:

“Ygam is now working with universities in every region of the UK, and while we welcome the decrease in the number of students experiencing gambling-related harms, students remain a cohort that engages in gambling in significant numbers. This makes our collaboration with universities essential to ensuring they have the tools to effectively support and safeguard students. It is important to recognise trends and understand the factors influencing these behaviours, including economic and social pressures. With much of student life now digital and online, we must continue to guide and educate to increase understanding and build resilience against the potential harms of gambling.” 

Fiona Palmer, Chief Executive Officer at GAMSTOP, said:  

“The Student Gambling Survey is an important piece of research that confirms the need for targeted support for the student community. Although gambling has decreased slightly in universities, the risk of gambling harm is far higher than in the general population and students need to be educated about the consequences of gambling in the expectation of making money. We know from the university roadshows we run with Ygam that there is an appetite amongst students to learn more about the support available, which includes self-exclusion to take a break from gambling”.  

The survey conducted by Censuswide sampled 2,000 students (aged 18+, with a 50/50 gender split) from universities near 17 UK cities who participated in the survey, between 16.12.2024 – 23.12.2024. The sample was recruited via an online panel using Censuswide’s standard points-based participant incentive system. The Problem Gambling Severity Index and its short form were used to measure at-risk gambling behaviour. At the end of the survey all participants were fully debriefed and offered information on access to sources of further support. 

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling, the National Gambling Support Network provides free help and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have care or influence over a child or young person and want more information about gambling harms and how to prevent them, you can register for a free online workshop here.