For many UK students, gambling is woven into social life, according to recent studies. Whether that means placing the occasional football accumulator, trying an online casino bonus, or joining friends for a low-stakes wager. In most cases, it remains casual entertainment. Yet recent data suggest that gambling participation among university students is higher than in the general adult population, prompting institutions to take a closer look.

Around 48% of UK adults report gambling at least once a month. Among students, that figure rises to roughly 60%, according to large-scale surveys conducted in 2025. The difference has sparked important conversations across campuses about awareness, education and early support.

Rather than waiting for problems to escalate, many universities are now building responsible gambling resources directly into student wellbeing strategies.

Student-Led Innovation at the University of Bristol

One of the clearest examples of this proactive approach can be seen at the University of Bristol. In 2025, graduates Benjamin Parker and Jordan White began tracking gambling trends among their peers after noticing an increase in activity within their own circles. What started as an academic project soon evolved into a practical solution.

With support from the university’s start-up accelerator, they developed a digital toolkit tailored specifically to student life. Now fully integrated into the university’s online systems, the platform offers:

  • Self-assessment tools to help students reflect on their habits
  • Guidance on setting limits and maintaining control
  • Clear pathways to specialist external support where required
  • A moderated space for students to share experiences anonymously

Embedding the toolkit within everyday digital platforms was a deliberate decision. Nearly half of the surveyed students previously said they did not realise their university offered any form of gambling support. By making the resource visible and accessible, the initiative doubles as both a support and awareness campaign.

Academic Research Taking a Broader View

Alongside practical tools, universities are strengthening their role in independent research. The Bristol initiative includes options for students to contribute anonymised data voluntarily, supporting wider academic studies into gambling behaviour.

This shift matters. Industry data is typically analysed from a commercial standpoint, while campaign groups often focus primarily on gambling-related harm. Academic research, by contrast, can examine social context, peer influence, behavioural triggers and patterns of play more holistically.

The annual Student Gambling Survey, running since 2023, reflects this growing interest. In 2025, it gathered responses from 20,000 students across 17 universities, creating one of the most detailed pictures yet of gambling behaviour in higher education. Insights from such research help shape student wellbeing policies that are grounded in lived experience rather than assumptions.

Importantly, motivations for gambling among students often differ from those of the wider population. Digital accessibility, campus culture, sporting events and financial pressures can all influence behaviour in ways that require tailored responses.

The Wider Gambling Landscape

These university initiatives are unfolding against a backdrop of continued growth in the UK’s online gambling market. In 2024, British consumers spent approximately £6.5 billion on online betting and gaming, with steady annual growth forecast over the coming years. Digital platforms, in particular, have become central to how younger adults engage with gambling.

Although the National Lottery remains the most common form of gambling across the general population, student surveys indicate it is among the least popular options on campus. Online sports betting and casino-style gaming appear more prevalent within university environments.

For those who choose to gamble, regulatory safeguards are an important layer of protection. Operators licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission are required to provide responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion schemes. However, universities increasingly recognise that compliance measures alone cannot address the full picture.