Student gamblers losing over £50 per week, survey finds

UK students who gamble are losing more money than ever. This is according to a new sector-wide survey. Overall participation has declined. Those who do gamble, though, appear to be spending more frequently and at higher levels. The findings show behaviour changes. Financial pressure and digital exposure are changing student gambling habits.

Weekly losses nearly double as spending rises

A  study conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Ygam and  Gamstop found that student gamblers now lose an average of £50.33 per week. This means there’s a big increase from £27.24 the previous year.

Despite this, overall participation has dropped to 65%. In 2022, this was 78%. The data suggests fewer students are gambling, but we can see that those who remain active are doing so more intensely.

Three-quarters of student gamblers spend more than £10 weekly. 23% exceed £50. Male students reported significantly higher spending than female students.

Motivation chanages towards making money

The survey shows motivations are different now. More than half (53%) of student gamblers said their primary reason for gambling was to make money. This was 45% in 2024.

Other motivations included socialising and entertainment. A small proportion (4%) reported gambling due to an inability to stop.

Income sources for gambling included salaries (52%), savings (37%) and student loans (21%). This raises concerns about the financial vulnerability of younger players.

Problem gambling rates show slight decline

Using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), 18% of student gamblers were classified as experiencing problem gambling. This is a decline from 24% in 2023. It suggests some progress in harm reduction efforts has been made. However, a further 30% were identified as moderate risk, indicating continued exposure to harm.

Almost half (46%) of respondents said gambling had negatively affected their university experience. It meant many struggled to afford essentials and missed academic commitments.

Data from Nationwide also showed that the top 10% of gamblers spend an average of £745 per month. This shows the scale of financial risk in heavy users.

Social media and peer influence on the rise

Friends are the biggest influence on student gambling (36%). Social media is now close behind at 34%.

The report points to increased exposure to gambling content through influencers and digital platforms as a key factor in rising engagement and spending. At the same time, awareness of support services is improving. Around 58% of students said they were aware of university support. 69% felt confident accessing help.

Registrations with Gamstop have also surged. Under-25 sign-ups have increased significantly in recent years.

Financial pressure driving behaviour changes

Both Ygam and Gamstop linked the rise in spending to growing financial pressure among students. With household budgets stretched, more students appear to be turning to gambling as a perceived way to generate income.

“The Annual Student Gambling Survey reveals a worrying lack of awareness about the risks of gambling in the student community and the impact on students who struggle to control their gambling, but it is encouraging to see more awareness of the support available.” said Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop.

Meanwhile, GamCare reported rising demand for financial support. Nearly 2,000 people sought help for gambling-related financial issues in 2025.

The findings suggest that while awareness and support mechanisms are improving, the underlying drivers of student gambling behaviour are becoming more complex.