College gambling programs are vital for preventing and combating gambling addiction at an early age. Studies have shown that teenagers and college-aged young adults are more impulsive and at higher risk for developing gambling disorders than adults. While most college students who gamble do so responsibly, the most recent research estimates that 6 percent of college students in the U.S. have a serious gambling problem that can result in psychological difficulties, unmanageable debt and failing grades.

Gambling disorders can be associated with numerous negative consequences and are highly correlated with other risky behaviors in the college student population. Students who use tobacco, drink heavily or binge drink, smoke marijuana or use other illegal drugs, drive under the influence or have a low GPA are more likely to gamble.

While 75 percent of college students gambled during the past year (whether legally or illegally), only 22 percent of U.S. colleges and universities have formal policies on gambling.

Based on the most recent estimates, it appears that college students are gambling more. A 2010 study estimates that 75 percent gambled in the past year. A study published in 2003 estimated that 42 percent gambled in the past year. Keep in mind, however, that students have always gambled as far back as the 19th century.

There is no evidence in the existing research to suggest this is the case. Research does show, however, that approximately 75 percent of college students gambled in the past year, wagering money on poker, the lottery, sports and a variety of other games. Teens and college students are gambling, so it’s important for higher education institutions to put in place science-based policies and programs to address this reality.

If a student is physically injured or racks up debt because of gambling, universities could face liability issues. Consult with your school’s general counsel about these issues. The compliance of college and university students with local, state, and federal laws concerning illegal gambling activities should be enforced and addressed through collaborative ventures among campus and local law enforcement agencies and campus administrators.

Schools that have published gambling policies and published policies prohibiting on-campus legal-aged drinking and/or prohibiting alcohol at on-campus events have significantly lower binge drinking rates than those without such gambling and alcohol-related policies in place.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has identified gambling by athletes as a major threat to the integrity of intercollegiate athletics and has responded with the development of a comprehensive education program called Don’t Bet on It. Although past research has found that both student athletes and students who are sports fans gamble more often than other students, recent studies indicate that NCAA athletes are gambling less and have fewer gambling-related problems, suggesting that prevention efforts have been effective.

By gambling activity:

• Lottery: 43 percent
• Card Games: 38 percent
• Office pools, raffles, charitable small stakes gambling: 38 percent
• Sports betting: 23 percent
• Games of skill—e.g., bowling, basketball, pool, golf, backgammon, darts: 20 percent
• Casino gambling: 15 percent
• Bingo: 13 percent
• Slot machines, poker machines and other gambling machines: 10 percent
• Dice games: 8 percent

Several colleges and universities have developed comprehensive education programs and resources to address gambling-related harms. Learn what these schools are doing.