Many students will naturally be looking to dive into new experiences as they kickstart their university life. And while some students may think gambling could be fun or exciting, there are things to be mindful of to ensure it doesn’t go too far, particularly with new student loans and financial commitments later in the year.
Signs that your gambling is getting out of control
For any students who are gambling at university, here are five signs to be mindful of:
1. Preoccupation – Often thinking about or planning to gamble can be one of the early warning signs that gambling could be harmful. It can affect your studies by distracting focus away from assignments or taking your attention away from important lectures.
2. Withdrawal – Removing yourself from social and professional situations so that you can place a bet is another warning signal that your gambling might be going too far, and that the urges to gamble are potentially harming other areas of your life.
3. Escape – Student life can be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like you want to escape it for a while. Using gambling as a coping mechanism is a sign of harmful gambling and can lead to losing significant amounts of money.
4. Chasing losses – The main motive of gambling is to win money but during a gambling session, that motive can change. Chasing losses is where your motive from winning money changes to winning back the money you have already lost. This can be dangerous and lead to significant losses.
5. Lying – If you find yourself hiding how much you are spending or lying about the amount of time you are gambling, or perhaps asking for money to cover bills that you are spending. These are just some signs that gambling is harming your life, and possibly risking your relationships with family and friends.
Support Available
Are you worried about your own gambling or the gambling or someone close to you?
GamCare
GamCare offers a confidential support service to young people who are worried about gambling. Their dedicated team provide advice and support via phone, text or email, at a time that suits you. They also have an online message board that is available 24/7.
- The first step is to have a chat with one of their team. They will listen to your worries, explain your options, and provide helpful advice.
- If you decide you want further support, you will agree on a plan together and GamCare support youto achieve your goals.
- Support is tailored to suit your needs, including how and when you would like them to contact you.
E-mail youngpeopleservice@gamcare.org.uk or call 0808 802 0133
The Chances - Gambling Support
The Chances – Gambling Support team within Cyrenians (a homelessness prevention organisation) offers free confidential and non-time limiting support to individuals on a one-to-one basis who are impacted by their own gambling or someone else’s gambling including family, friends, and colleagues.
At-risk groups may be vulnerable to gambling exposure and its associated harms. In 2023, Young Gamers and Gambling Education Trust (YGAM), found that one in four students who engage in gambling may experience associated harms, and one in two students said that gambling had negatively impacted their university experience including their academic performance, finances, housing, relationships, health and well-being, affordability for food and other essential items.
The Chances - Gambling Support service takes a non-judgmental, person-centred, and relationship-based approach, guiding individuals on their path to recovery from gambling harm, reduce their gambling or cease altogether.
The support offered to people impacted by someone else’s gambling focuses on their needs rather than those of the individual gambling. People who identify as an affected other are encouraged to seek support, regardless of whether the person gambling is receiving help or not.
Support from the Chances team is offered to anyone aged eighteen or over who are based in Edinburgh, the Lothians, and Falkirk. Both organisational referrals and self-referrals are accepted, and support options are available in-person in the community or office setting, online and by phone.
Email at chances@cyrenians.scot or call at 07983 137239.