Gambling among university sport students: a preliminary analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore risks associated with the gambling habits and attitudes of sport students governed by betting integrity rules. Using focus groups with male and female student rugby and football players, we identified four areas of concern. First, participants considered gambling as a ‘normal’ pastime – a largely harmless form of communal entertainment. Second, we found that participants’ gambling behaviour was influenced by marketing strategies and by peers. Third, although participants were aware of some of the potential risks of gambling, they had a limited understanding of how problem gambling and addiction might develop. Taken together, we believe these encourage gambling and increase risks of gambling related problems. The fourth concern relates to breaking integrity rules. Although we found no evidence of intentional corrupt behaviour, participants had a casual attitude towards gambling regulations, and some broke the betting rules in ways they deemed trivial. Moreover, participants did not seem to take anti-corruption education/intervention particularly seriously.

Assessment of the Impacts of Betting on University Students: A Case Study of Kisii University, Kenya

“…Breaking from such ties may cause unpleasant experiences, anxiety, and distress; hence, some may maintain to avoid conflict with the group members, as demonstrated by Savolainen et al (Seal et al, 2022). Within the groups, they share which forms of gambling they engage in (Jones et al, 2022).…”