Hira, T. K., December 5, 1996 1 College Students and Gambling Tahira K. Hira, Ph.D., CFP Professor Human Development & Family Studies Iowa State University

Hira, T. K., December 5, 19961

College Students and GamblingTahira K. Hira, Ph.D., CFP

Professor

Human Development & Family Studies

Iowa State University


Gambling in Iowa between 10,000 & 31,000 are

currently “compulsive gamblers,”

33,000 to 62,000 are “problem gamblers.”


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)


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)


Sources of Data

Data were collected in Summer &

Fall ‘96

ISU survey (n = 797)

Des Moines survey (Students =162)

focus groups (n = 10)


Characteristics

Five colleges were represented Males 51% Part-time employed 52% Residence Status:

–Off-campus 46%

–Residence halls 38%


Proportion of college students gambling

over half (52% ) of those participating in the survey

indicated they gambled


Des Moines survey (n=162)

mean age 23yrs mean income $9,103 mean debt $6,416 gamblers 48% females 61% had C.C. loans 32% had consolidated loans 32% used ATMs 44%


According to 22% of the students...

“Sports gambling at ISU

is widespread!”

What about sports gambling?


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.”


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


“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?


“Tell them it starts as fun, and soon people can’t

quit.”

It starts as fun....


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.


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.”


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


Main reason they gamble?

Entertainment67%

To win money29%


Men and woman gamble for different reasons.

men gamble to win

women gamble for entertainment


Main Reason for Not Gambling:

Can’t afford 16% Other 26% age, money, time, transportation religion,


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%


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


Extent of problem gambling

those who sought help for serious gambling problems for:

friends (6%)

family members (2%)


Should there be an age restriction for gambling?

Yes......................77%Age 16-18 48%

Age 19-21 29%

Age 22 and up 24%


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%


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”


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”


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.”


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”


“In our society what we are doing is

promoting you don’t have to work for

your money.”

Our students say........


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

Documents

Hira, T. K., December 5, 1996 1 College Students and Gambling Tahira K. Hira, Ph.D., CFP Professor Human Development & Family Studies Iowa State University